HCC offers several options for academically strong high school students who want to get an early start on their college education.

What are the benefits of starting college early?

• Enhanced learning
• Starting and finishing college early
• Saving money on a college degree
• Building a college transcript while still in high school
   

Early College Access Program

Through the Early College Access Program, students earn college credit while still at their home high school or home school. Washington County Public School (WCPS) students do not pay tuition, fees, or books for Early College Access classes up to 60 credits per student. This applies to all semesters while a student is enrolled at WCPS. All other students receive a 25 percent reduction on tuition rates they would be charged based on their residency.

Early College Access Program students take classes in a dual-credit class at their high school, on HCC's campus, or online. The dual-credit classes are those that award both high school credit and college credit. To learn more about the Early College Access Program, visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/earlycollegeaccess.

Early College Degree Program

Through the Early College Degree Program, students earn both high school and college credits by taking classes full-time on the HCC campus. Students who spend both their junior and senior years in the program have the opportunity to earn an associate degree by the time that they graduate from high school.

The Early College Degree Program is open to students from Washington County Public Schools as well as private, home, and out-of-state schools. Students in this program take all of their classes on the college campus or online.

To learn more about the Early College Degree Program, visit www.hagerstowncc.edu/earlycollegedegree.

TRiO: Upward Bound Program

The HCC TRiO: Upward Bound Program is year-round college-preparatory program made possible through a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education. HCC's Upward Bound Program is intended to assist income-eligible and/or first-generation college bound high school students in the successful completion of secondary education by preparing them academically as well as socially for enrollment and completion of higher education. This is accomplished by providing participants with rigorous and nurturing academic courses; tutoring services; college-preparatory workshops; academic, college, and financial aid advising; career exploration; leadership opportunities; and cultural enrichment field trips. HCC’s Upward Bound program will serve 70 students annually from North Hagerstown, South Hagerstown, Williamsport high schools, and Hancock Middle Senior High School. Students in Upward Bound can receive college credit during the school year by taking classes on-campus at HCC, in the high schools or in college classes offered during the summer.

Learn more at www.hagerstowncc.edu/upwardbound.