Trinity approves program to offer college classes to students
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The Trinity Area School Board Thursday unanimously approved a program offered by Robert Morris University that will allow Trinity High School student to take a semester of courses at RMU, enabling them to earn a college degree in less time and for less money than the traditional college route.
Trinity is one of five schools in Southwestern Pennsylvania invited to participate in RMU’s First Semester College in High School Program, which allows qualified students to enroll in college courses taught by RMU faculty at the students’ high school. Moon and Montour school districts currently have students enrolled.
The program will start at Trinity in the fall of 2014.
Juniors who hold a 2.5 grade-point average or higher can apply to participate in the program. Those who are chosen will take one class each semester, including the summer, over the next two years. The university will give students enrolled in the program a 70 percent discount on tuition, which will save students who take all five courses more than $8,000, based on the current tuition rate at Robert Morris (it will cost students about $3,485 to earn 15 credits). The program is designed to accommodate about 15 students.
“We’re very excited to partner with a university such as RMU to be able to offer a program where our juniors will be able to earn 15 RMU credits taught by RMU professors. It’s a unique opportunity, and the 70 percent tuition discount is an incredible opportunity,” said Trinity Area School District Superintendent Paul Kasunich.
Last year, at least 10 Trinity seniors chose to attend college at RMU. That makes implementing the program a “no-brainer,” said Kasunich.
The program requires students to take courses in environmental science, reading and writing, mathematics, psychology and sociology. Larry Tomei, vice provost at Robert Morris University, who outlined the program to the school board at a November meeting, said that the courses have been designed so that they likely will transfer to another college or university (although there is no guarantee that all 15 credits will transfer) if a student decides not to enroll at RMU after graduation.
Tomei said Robert Morris has two other dual-enrollment program that allow high school students to take a college course. Tomei wanted to expand those programs because of concern over rising student loan debt and college costs.
“It’s a great program, and it differentiates us from everybody else,” said Kasunich.