COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Early college dual enrollment for high school students through the Kellogg Community College Grahl Center campus in Coldwater has started and by next fall, will be underway in every high school in Branch County.
The KCC program was launched 2 years ago in Quincy and expanded to Coldwater and Union City this school year, and next year will be available at Bronson High School and Pansophia Academy in Coldwater.
Prior to their junior year, students can apply for the dual enrollment with a so-called 13th year of education. The ultimate goal by the time they finish their senior year and graduate is to complete and receive a community college or degree program certificate for up to 60 KCC credit hours.
Bobbie Gagnon is the Grahl Center Director and she spoke about the program last Wednesday at the weekly meeting of the Coldwater Early Bird Exchange Club. She said early enrollment presents a great financial opportunity for students since the cost of a KCC degree for out of district students living in Branch County is $11,000 while less for those in district, such as Union City.
However, Gagnon said there is a lot of fear among community college students that their class credits won’t transfer and won’t count toward their four year degree. She said she assures the students that the credits will be recognized because of the Michigan Transfer Agreement. It allows the transfer of 30 credits, which are considered the general education course work for most every degree in the state and nearly every 4 year college in the state of Michigan has agreed to accept those courses.
Gagnon said when dual enrollment students aren’t yet sure of their career pathway, they advise them to take the Michigan transfer agreement courses so that the odds are in their favor that they will count toward a degree, whatever degree they decide to pursue.
