Dual Enrollment Provides Great Opportunity-Scholarships available for high school students
Fayette County High School students, Britney Baldock and Corey Collins, are planning for their futures ahead of schedule through the dual enrollment program at Bevill State Community College.
Both students are currently enrolled in the Welding program at Bevill State and are receiving both high school and college credit for the class. They attend classes in the morning at Fayette High and then in the afternoon concentrate on their college class in Welding.
Collins and Baldock are in their second semester of dual enrollment welding classes and are excited about receiving dual credit. A senior a Fayette High, Collins is appreciative of a chance to gain college credit. “I took high school welding classes last year but did not receive college credit,” Collins said. “I qualified for the dual enrollment scholarship, so now I receive both high school and college credit. My plans are to attend Bevill State to finish my training after graduation and I will be ahead of the game. When I begin the program, I will already have six college credits.”
In addition to college credits, Collins has received recognition for the skills he has obtained while training. In the recent Skills USA competition, Collins placed first in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) and Oxy-Fuel Cutting (OFC). He tied for fourth place in the overall competition which qualified him for State competition that will be held in April.
Baldock is a junior at FCHS and plans to continue her training in welding next year as well as attend Bevill State once she graduates. “As a female in a predominately male profession, Baldock will have endless opportunities,” said Sherie Fleming, interim Associate Dean of Career Technical Education at Bevill State. “Welders are in high-demand in Alabama, so job opportunities are available for those who have the training. By participating in this dual enrollment opportunity, these students will be able to finish their BSCC program quickly and enter the workforce.”
Bevill State and the Fayette County Board of Education have been participating in a dual enrollment agreement for several years according to Associate Dean Max Weaver. “We’ve offered academic courses through dual enrollment for several years,” said Weaver. “We were fortunate this past year to have expanded those offerings to include career technical education.”
Mrs. Jana Clark, FCHS guidance counselor, agrees with Weaver and is a strong advocate of the dual enrollment program. “I highly encourage students who qualify for dual enrollment to participate in the program,” she said. “I feel the program not only enables students to get ahead by taking college level courses, it aids them in the transition from high school to college.”
Clark indicated that many FCHS students have participated in academic dual enrollment classes both in the summer and during the regular academic year. The addition of career technical offerings will allow collegiate opportunities to more students.
As an incentive to promote career technical education and prepare high school students to be “workforce ready,” the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development designated funds for scholarships for dually enrolled high school students in the Welding, Machine Tool, Automotive, Auto Body, Drafting, and Industrial Systems Technology programs. The scholarships are also available to students who are participating in the Early College Enrollment Program (ECEP) in the above mentioned programs.
To meet the qualifications for dual enrollment and qualify for scholarships, students must be in grades 10-12, have a B average, and have approval from their respective guidance counselor, principal and superintendent. Eligible students must also meet Bevill State admission requirements.
The Early College Enrollment Program (ECEP) provides an opportunity for high school students to earn college credits toward a technical or health certificate and/or degree that meets local, regional, or state high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand critical workforce training needs while completing high school. To participate in the ECEP program, a student must be either a high school junior or senior while maintaining a grade-point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students must also pass all areas of the high school exit exam prior to their senior year. Compass testing must also place the student in English 101 or Math 100.
Those participating in ECEP must also maintain a 2.0 average while enrolled in the program. Students who complete the program will receive a 50 percent tuition reduction for one semester of college coursework in their particular program of study within one year of high school graduation. Like dual enrollment, the student must meet college admission requirements while receiving permission from the high school counselor, principal and superintendent.
To apply for a dual enrollment or ECEP scholarship, participants must complete a Bevill State admission form, scholarship application and a resume. The resume should include information concerning all academic achievement, community service and financial need. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 20. Applications are available from area high school counselors or at www.bscc.edu. For more information, individuals can contact their counselor or Dean Fleming at 800-648-3271, ext. 5704.
