East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City offers students in grades 9-12 opportunities to participate in college classes while still in high school through the EACC Concurrent Enrollment program
January 5, 2012
East Arkansas Community College
Press Release
Forrest City-East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City offers students in grades 9-12 opportunities to participate in college classes while still in high school through the EACC Concurrent Enrollment program.
Qualified students in grades 9-12 may enroll in college courses offered by EACC with a written recommendation from their principal or academic designee. EACC will be offering concurrent enrollment classes at a number of high schools in the EACC service area in the Spring Semester 2012.
“The Concurrent Enrollment program offers high school students an excellent opportunity to experience what it’s like to participate in a college course,” said Jan Haven, EACC Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Students who participate in this program have the advantage of experiencing first-hand a college level course and have the benefit of exposure to the talents and expertise of EACC’s college-level instructors. Many of the courses offered to high school students are administered at the request of the high school, the students, or the student’s parents. It’s a great opportunity for the students to take the initiative and tell us they would like to take an English course, a certain psychology course or other courses just because they are interested in that subject. We try very hard to accommodate the needs at each high school, said Haven”
Concurrent enrollment is traditionally defined as the enrollment of a high school student in post secondary education for both high school credit and college-level credit. The program helps students investigate courses of study prior to enrollment in a degree or certificate program. The student can earn transferable credit towards an Associate or Bachelors degree and have the benefit of learning under the guidance of EACC’s outstanding faculty.
There are many financial aid options for students who are interested in taking Concurrent Enrollment courses at EACC. The cost of the classes may be offset by scholarships such as the Nimocks Oil Company Scholarship or other resources. EACC’s low tuition and fees are approximately one third of the cost compared to the average cost of a 4-year public university in Arkansas.
“Concurrent enrollment is a smart move and a great opportunity for our area students,” said Abbie Robinson, EACC Director of Career Pathways/Learning Center and former principal at Forrest City High School. “One of the primary advantages of concurrent enrollment at EACC is that students learn early about the workload and expectations of college. Not only will the student reduce their course load during their freshman year in college, but it will also relieve some of the pressure and stress in their first year. Having to take fewer classes in their first semester in college, students have more time to get comfortable with being in a new place and devote more time to each of the classes,” said Robinson.
To apply, students must first complete an Application for Admission to EACC and an application for the Concurrent Enrollment program. Students must have a minimum score of 19 on the ACT subtests (or comparable ASSET or COMPASS score) if they are enrolling in an English or math course and they must submit official high school transcripts and Immunization Records.
“We’re really excited that participating students will get this ‘leg up’ on their college career and will have the opportunity to establish a permanent college record before they even graduate high school,” said Haven.
For more detailed information about the EACC Concurrent Enrollment Program, please call 870-633-4480 ext. 329 or visit us on the web at www.eacc.edu.