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University of Massachusetts’ early college initiatives are projected to increase enrollment to 913 high school students this fall—a 50% increase in the second year of the pilot program.
Students earn UMass course credits while still in high school, giving them a head start on their college educations, acquainting them with college-level work and saving money on college tuition. UMass Lowell, for example, piloted, what the system calls, Commonwealth Collegiate Academy initiatives at Methuen and Greater Lowell Technical High Schools. Students spend one to two weeks on UMass campuses this fall as an introduction to college life.
“Early college programs are a key component of the university’s efforts to keep a college education affordable while also encouraging high school students, especially first-generation college students, to see that college is possible for them,” UMass President Marty Meehan said. “Early college is also critical as the state works to expand the talent pool in Massachusetts at a time of the declining high school-age population.”
A UMass early college status update was presented recently at the university’s Board of Trustees Committee on Academic and Student Affairs. The plan is to scale the effort to several thousand students in the coming years. The initiative is supported by state, federal investments as well as the Smith Family Foundation.
Officials said students who participate in Early College programs enroll in college at significantly higher rates than their high school peers. Early college programs also boost college completion rates for low-income, minority and first-generation college students.