Under a plan approved at the March 21 meeting of the IVCC Board of Trustees, juniors and seniors in area high schools can earn college credits while paying only $15 per credit hour instead of the current tuition of $49 per credit hour.

The tuition reduction is made possible by a $13,364 Accelerated College Enrollment grant from the state.

Qualified students, with permission from their high school principal, are eligible to enroll in IVCC courses offered on-site at their high school during the regular school day.

College President Dr. Jean Goodnow said, "This will make our classes even more affordable and accessible to these students. It is a tremendous opportunity for students and parents to save money on university costs."

Giacomo Leone, chair of the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts, said the program offers an excellent opportunity for a smooth, effective transition into college.

"It's especially helpful when students cannot let their study skills vegetate," he said. Leone and Lori Nall, chair of the Division of Social Science and Public Service, have headed the effort to organize, schedule and publicize the Early Entrance College program.

Courses currently available include Strategies for College, Information Literacy, English, Speech, Psychology, Sociology, History, Art and Music.

Several years ago IVCC began offering courses at Marquette High School, with students paying the regular college tuition. The program has expanded with IVCC courses also offered this spring at Seneca, Streator, Ottawa, Earlville and Princeton.