Get a Jump on College in High School - for Free
Ch-Ching! That’s the sound of the money you’ll save when enrolling for college — while you’re still in high school.

How is that possible?

It’s called dual enrollment, and right now, students who enroll for specific courses at area high schools in Taylor, Hutto and East Williamson County can not only take them for free, but earn college credit in the process.

Texas State Technical College, in partnership with the East Williamson County Higher Education Center, will offer courses beginning in the fall of 2009 in the Hutto school district. Currently, TSTC offers Automotive and Welding technologies at Taylor High School, but by the fall, they plan to expand into additional schools, including Hutto, Thrall, Granger and others in East Williamson County. Other programs to be added include Culinary Arts and Electronics.

Students have the option of earning up to 24 college credits — nearly two semesters of college courses — toward an Associate of Applied Science degree, said Fred Khozein, TSTC Technology Program Director. The acquired college credit can be applied at any college in the TSTC system with similar programs, he added.

Most credit should also transfer to other schools who offer the same programs, as well.

“Not only will students save money on a college degree in the future by cutting back the hours they must take, but they also save money right now, as there are currently no tuition or fees associated with taking these dual credit courses,” Khozein said.

Saving money is great, but there’s an added bonus that’s equally important — if not more so: teaching young people that college really is within their grasp.

“It’s helping our kids who didn’t see themselves as college bound find out they really are college-ready after all,” Kimberley Mason, principal of Taylor High School, said. “They learn they have the skill set they didn’t think they have, so the exposure to college courses has opened many doors of opportunity for our students.”

To get a jump on your college degree and save money at the same time, contact your local school district in Taylor and Hutto, or call TSTC at (254) 867-4860 to find out more.