Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

High school is a time for looking ahead and preparing for college or a vocation. However, rising college costs and student loan debt can be daunting for students and parents alike. That’s why Stanly Community College offers the Career and College Promise program designed specifically for high school students that can significantly reduce the cost of college and vocational training.

CCP is North Carolina’s dual enrollment program for high school students. This program was re-branded to CCP in 2012 to help high school students bridge the gap between college or training for a career. It is a state-wide program that allows eligible high school students, including home school and private school students, to enroll in college classes at SCC tuition free.
Students who successfully complete courses not only earn credits to graduate from high school but also transfer those credits to a four-year college or SCC.

According to Steve Cumming, director of dual enrollment programs at SCC, students can choose from two pathways: College Transfer Pathway or the Career & Technical Pathway.
More than 600 high school students were enrolled in CCP each semester during the 2022-2023 school year.

The College Transfer Pathway

This program is for students who plan to attend a four-year college or university or obtain a two-year associate degree at SCC. Students must have a 2.80 (unweighted) GPA or meet certain test score requirements to pursue this pathway.

Eligible students can earn up to 30 college credits per pathway that transfer to a University of North Carolina college or university, as well as many others outside the state.

Colleges may weigh the CCP classes differently, but most count classes as they would an “honors” course at the high school level.

The Career & Technical (CTE) Pathway

This pathway is designed for students planning to obtain a two-year degree after high school or a certificate for employment.
This pathway also recommends students have a 2.80 GPA. The CTE pathway allows students to leave high school with a certificate, diploma or training in one of more than 30 specified areas.

Benefits to Students and Parents

“Once a student selects a pathway, we advise them on courses available to them that can fit into their high school schedule,” says Cumming. “Some students have taken three to five courses in the College Transfer Program that saved themselves or their parents a semester of tuition.”

Based upon the cost of attendance and the number of credits and credentials awarded, the College’s CCP students saved approximately $700,000 in tuition this past academic year.
College Transfer classes are typically 14-week, late-start classes so students can begin their high school classes before working on their college courses. CTE classes vary in start date and length depending on the specialty area. Courses are offered online as well as in-person on SCC’s Albemarle campus.

“The benefits to high school students are numerous,” adds Cumming. “CCP not only allows a student to jump start their college work, but it also gives them a glimpse into what college is all about. Additionally, the CTE pathway gives students wanting to earn a certificate or diploma a head start on course work before they enroll at SCC.”

In the 2021-2022 academic year, SCC’s CCP students had an 89% success rate compared to 84% for the overall student body.
Cumming says that there is a strong need for students with vocational training.

“Employers call me every semester to ask about students who are about to complete a CTE program,” he says. “Specialties such as welding and nurses’ aides are in high demand and graduates are able to get immediate employment.”

One parent who has had two children participate in the program is Rebecca Little of Richfield. Her son, Drew, participated in the program a few years ago when he was a student at North Stanly High School. All the courses he took through CCP transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill where he is now in graduate school.

Little’s daughter, Laney, is a rising junior at North Stanly and is enrolled in CCP courses when school resumes.

“Laney’s goal is to obtain an Associate of Arts (AA) degree so she can start college as a junior,” says Little.

“It’s an ambitious goal and it requires a lot of dedication, but this program is an incredible opportunity to get ahead of the college course loads and costs while in high school. The CCP program is like getting a great scholarship,” she adds.

Support from Guidance Counselors

Area guidance counselors strongly support the program as it helps their students plan more efficiently for college or a future career.

Lisa Talbert, a guidance counselor at Albemarle High School, says the classes help prepare students for post-high school plans by showing them what is expected in college classes as well as how to interact and communicate with college instructors.

“The program also teaches and emphasizes time management because while they can work at their own pace in courses, there are deadlines they need to meet,” says Talbert.

South Stanly guidance counselor Lisa Godwin adds, “Students have flexibility in choosing courses once they’ve picked a pathway. We’ve been lucky to work closely with SCC, building the bridges necessary to make this a successful venture for all of the students in our community.”

A Chance to Learn More

Cumming admits there are lots of moving pieces to the program and is providing a CCP Information Night for parents and students to get a better understanding of how to take advantage of the program’s benefits.

The session will be held at 6 p.m. July 25 at the Webb Student Center located on SCC’s Albemarle campus. Registration is not required.

For more information, contact Steve Cumming at  704-991-0139 or scumming0450@stanly.edu.