Herkimer College Offers College Now Program Tuition-Free

This fall, high school students enrolled in participating schools may enroll tuition-free in Herkimer College’s concurrent enrollment program, known as College Now. The tuition-free benefit was made possible through a $200,000 appropriation approved by the Herkimer County Legislature.

College Now provides high school students the opportunity to take college-credit bearing courses taught by college-approved high school teachers at no cost. Students gain exposure to the academic challenges of college while in their supportive high school environment, earning college credit at the time they successfully pass the course. The opportunity to earn college credit while in high school gives students a head start when they enter college, and often they can graduate from college early, resulting in significant savings of time and money.

Interim College President Nicholas Laino said, “Granting high school students early access to college is essential in today’s competitive world. This is a tremendous opportunity for our community, and we thank the Legislature for making this investment in the future of our youth. We are optimistic about the prospects for reaching more students in the local high schools through the College Now program, and we look forward to being able to provide greater access to college for all Herkimer County students.”

Accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment (NACEP), the College Now program has grown to include participation by 14 schools throughout Herkimer County and the region. During the 2013-14 school year, 953 students enrolled in the program, many taking two or more courses during the year.

Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES District Superintendent Mark Vivacqua said, “Our superintendents and boards are incredibly grateful to the Herkimer County Legislature for making this a priority. I am confident that the result of tuition free College Now will be that more of our Herkimer County students will complete college and therefore be better positioned for prosperity as adults.”

College Now is one of many ways Herkimer College provides high quality, accessible educational opportunities and services in response to the needs of the local and regional communities.

For more information about the College Now program, call 315-866-0300, ext. 8743 or email CollegeNow@herkimer.edu.