The VSC Dual Enrollment Program allows high school students to earn college credit while still in high school or the summer after they graduate.  Successful high school students have earned anywhere from 3 to 18 college credits—reducing the time it takes to get a college degree, reducing the costs associated with college, and challenging themselves through college-level curriculum.

Courses in the VSC Dual Enrollment Program are offered tuition free, with support from GEAR-UP and the State of Vermont's Next Generation Initiative.

There are many pathways for high school students to get a head start on college:

Introduction to College Studies is a 26-hour course designed to help students develop strategies for college success. Introduction to College Studies is offered at all 12 Community College of Vermont sites every fall and spring semester, at selected CCV sites during the summer and at other VSC colleges on a variable basis.  With support from the Gear-Up Statewide Initiative, this course is offered tuition free to all Vermont high school students. 

Students who have successfully completed Introduction to College Studies can apply for a VSC Dual Enrollment Voucher. The voucher program allows students to take one college course at any of the five Vermont State Colleges tuition free -- Castleton State College, Community College of Vermont, Johnson State College, Lyndon State College and Vermont Technical College -- while they are still in high school or the summer after they graduate.  This voucher can be used at selected Vermont colleges and universities through a statewide partnership agreement supported by the State of Vermont's Next Generation Initiative.

Students who enroll in selected programs at their local Career/ Technical Center may also earn college credit for one course tuition free through the Fast Forward Program. Each of the 17 Vermont Technical or Comprehensive High Schools currently have dual enrollment agreements in place or are working on future agreements. Students may also be eligible for a Fast Forward Ticket to offset administrative charges for receiving college credit. For a listing of Career/Technical Centers in the state and more information on the career pathways available, visit the Fast Forward website.

Dual Enrollment Accelerated Programs for High School Students are designed for high school seniors who are academically prepared to enroll in a college-level course and could benefit from that experience. With support from Gear-Up and Vermont’s Next Generation Initiative, eligible students may take one college course tuition free at the VSC or at other selected Vermont colleges and universities while they are still in high school or the summer after they graduate.

Vermont Technical Colleges hosts the Vermont Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), a full-year alternative to the senior year of high school for motivated high school seniors and home-schooled students who have a successful academic record and strong interest in math, science and technology. VAST students take standard college courses at VTC to complete the senior year of high school and the freshman year of college simultaneously—tuition free. VAST is recognized as an independent high school with the authority to grant diplomas.

For more information:

Learn more about VSC programs for high school students at these websites:

Castleton State College's Accelerated Enrollment Program for High School Students

Community College of Vermont's offerings for high school students

Johnson State College's Jump Start Program

Lyndon State College's offerings for high school students

Vermont Technical College's Secondary School Articulation Agreement

High school students who are interested in taking courses at the Vermont State Colleges should contact their guidance counselor or the VSC representative listed below:

• Christopher Eder, Castleton: (802) 468-1351
• Natalie Searle, Community College of Vermont: (802) 786-5148 (or call the CCV site nearest you)
• Penny Howrigan, Johnson: (800) 635-2356 (toll free)
• Vincent Maloney, Lyndon: (802) 626-6431
• Mike Van Dyke, Vermont Tech: (802) 728-1213

High school students who are interested in taking courses outside the VSC through the Next Generation Initiative should contact their guidance counselor or the college representative below:

• Burlington College: Laryn Runco (802) 862-9616
• Champlain College: Diane Byrnes (802) 865-6419
• College of St. Joseph: Patricia Miglorie (802) 776-5240
• Green Mountain College: William Throop (802) 287-8214
  
• New England Culinary Institute: Mark Molinaro (802) 225-3220
• Southern Vermont College: Al DeCiccio (802) 447-6333
  
• University of Vermont: Nichole Hathaway (802) 656-4682