The class of 2022 and its 146 graduates of the Guilford Technical Community College Early/Middle Colleges saved more than $500,000 combined in college tuition fees.
Early/Middle College students receive dual credit toward a high school diploma and an associate degree from GTCC, allowing most graduates to enroll in four-year institutions as a junior, eliminating two years of tuition expenses.
In addition to tuition savings, Early/Middle College students do not pay for books or fees.
The GTCC Early/Middle Colleges are alternative high school completion programs in partnership with Guilford County Schools. They are designed for students whose needs are not met in a traditional high school setting. Students are eligible to receive dual credit that will be applied toward a high school diploma and a college degree.
Early/Middle School students must be referred and approved by Guilford County Schools prior to enrollment.
"The Early/Middle colleges provide a wonderful opportunity for Guilford County high school students to get a head start on their college education while saving a great deal of money," said Linda Whitlow, director of GTCC's K-12 partnerships. "When they finish at GTCC, they are prepared to move into a four-year institution as juniors without missing a beat. If they completed one of our technical programs, they are prepared to enter the job force with the training that they received at GTCC."
- The Middle College at GTCC-Jamestown had 71 graduates this spring, with 36 also earning an associate degree and/or college credential. Ten students earned a service-learning diploma and eight earned a service-learning award. Thirty-six graduates were academic honor students and 21 are North Carolina academic scholars. The total tuition savings for the Middle College at GTCC-Jamestown's class of 2022 was $211,128.
- The Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro had 42 graduates this spring, with 29 graduating with honors. Twenty-three graduated with their high school diploma and a GTCC degree. The class of 2022 had collectively earned 2,059 college credits, or an average of 49 college credits per graduate. They have earned a combined $5,354,760 in financial awards. The total tuition savings for the Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro's class of 2022 was $156,484.
- The Early/Middle College at GTCC-High Point had 33 graduates in the class of 2022 who earned a combined $4,661,576 in scholarship funding. The class of 2022 had the highest average college GPA in the school's history and 24 of the 33 students graduated with an associate degree. The total tuition savings for the Early/Middle College at GTCC-High Point's class of 2022 was $183,768.
Source: https://www.gtcc.edu/about/news-and-events/2022/07/gtcc-earlymiddle-colleges-class-of-2022-saved-more-than-500,000-in-four-year-tuition-costs.php