In most high schools across Kentucky, students have the opportunity to register for dual credit courses, where students receive both high school and college credit at the same time. Logan County High School is no different. Students have the advantage of starting college at a faction of the cost due to a movement to lower the tuition cost in our state for these courses.
Currently there are students taking courses through Western Kentucky University, SKYCTC, Murray State University, and the University of the Cumberlands. Whether it is an online agriculture course through MSU, a welding course through SKYCTC, or college algebra through WKU, LCHS students can take courses in a wide-range of areas.
It is not uncommon, especially now, for a student to graduate with 30 or more college credit hours. Not only does dual credit help bridge the gap between college and high school academically, it is saving families thousands of dollars along the way.
Average tuition for public universities in Kentucky is around $9,600 for the year, not counting room and board and all the other fees.
There are two types of scholarships that the state of Kentucky provides high school students to make dual credit courses an option for all students. The Dual Credit Scholarship can be used for juniors and seniors. Students receive two dual credit courses free, funded through the lottery system. Another scholarship that is new this year is the Work Ready Scholarship, which can be used for courses in the career and technology areas.
If students take advantage of both, what a savings. Students at LCHS work with Mrs. Amy Hallman, LCHS guidance counselor and dual credit coordinator, to ensure that these scholarships are in place so they too can receive these savings.
During the first semester at LCHS, students are enrolled in more than 1,100 college credit hours. This number is expected to grow in the second semester due to English 101 and English 161 through SKYCTC. With the average cost of tuition for one course at a public university to be $1,065 in the state of Kentucky, families are saving nearly a million dollars by taking dual credit courses.
With a growing concern across the United States of students graduating college with huge amounts of student loans, LCHS will continue to look for opportunities for students to start their college journey.