Student Success Jump Start specialist, Raquel DePuy Grafton (left), assists students and their parents during the Dual Credit community workshop at Truckee Meadows Community College.
With the new Jump Start Dual Credit Program, students can now access even more resources at Truckee Meadows Community College to help further their degrees in high school and college.
High school students have previously been able to enroll in classes at TMCC, but Jump Start Dual Credit offers helpful services and a reduced rate for registration fees.
“We’ve never discounted registration fees before for dual credit courses and are thrilled to have a full time staff member now on board so we can support families and students in the processes,” said Patty Avila-Porter, Program Director for Access, Outreach and Recruitment.
Jump Start Dual Credit online college courses are offered at a reduced rate of $50 for three credits, not including fees and textbooks. In-person classes are offered at a 25% discount per credit. Washoe County School District juniors and seniors who need financial assistance can apply for third party payment through their high school.
Reduced cost was one of the topics covered during the March 11 introductory session led by Raquel DePuy Grafton, Student Success Jump Start specialist at TMCC. The seminar took place at TMCC’s Dandini Campus and was free and open to the public.
“Students can apply credits earned to both their high school diplomas, and to getting a jump on taking classes toward their college degree,” DePuy Grafton said. “Interested students should check with their high school counselor.”
She familiarized participants with the new Web page dualcredit.tmcc.edu as part of the session.
Jump Start Dual Credit Provides Access to College Services
Students enrolled at TMCC through Jump Start Dual Credit are eligible for all student services offered at the College. Services include Job Preparation, Academic Advisement and Transfer Center, Counseling and Career Services, Tutoring, New Student Services, and many additional programs.
TMCC will be offering several sections of online classes in a format designed specifically for WCSD students enrolled in the Jump Start Program. These courses will fulfill the computer literacy and health requirements for WCSD students and are offered in Fall 2015 and Spring 2016.
- IS 101: Information Systems
- CHS 101: Community Health Sciences
- CHS 102 Community Health Sciences
High School Juniors and Seniors May Apply for the Program
Nevada high school juniors and seniors are eligible with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and 2.5 respectively. They must also meet college course prerequisites.
DePuy Grafton listed four main steps to participate in the program:
- Apply to TMCC online (select checkbox “not seeking degree or certificate at this time”)
- Get advice from a high school counselor about classes approved for dual credit
- Check prerequisites for courses on MyTMCC.edu
- Fill out “Permission to Enroll” form and email or fax the form to dualcredit@tmcc.edu
Avila-Porter also addressed a group of about 15 community members at the TMCC Jump Start Dual Credit workshop.
“You’re founding members of this unique program,” she told parents and young scholars which that evening represented Reed and Spanish Springs high schools, Academy of Arts Careers and Technology and home schooled students.
After acceptance into the program, students may enroll in classes at TMCC. The semester schedule for classes is viewable online at MyTMCC.edu, where in addition to registering for classes, students may also find required textbooks, and pay registration fees.
College Courses Are Condensed and Rigorous
DePuy Grafton also gave tips to consider when applying to the program.
“Think about the college rigor – courses are compressed from what a high school student would learn in a year to about 16 weeks,” DePuy Grafton said. “The Summer term is even more condensed to 5 weeks in each term.”
Also important, she adds, is that rules widely known as FERPA are comprehensive at the college level. FERPA stands for the Federal Educational Records Privacy Act of 1974.
Avila-Porter noted that at the college level, students work directly with their instructors; according to the FERPA laws, professors are not allowed to provide grades or progress reports to parents.
DePuy Grafton agreed.
“FERPA is more strict at the college level,” DePuy Grafton said. “Students and their parents can sign a release so that permission is given for college staff to speak with the high school counselor.”
For interested families, Jump Start Dual Credit provides an efficient and low cost option to earn high school and college credits concurrently. For more information about the program, call 775-674-7638.