For many students, Scott Community College has become an enticing option for classes not offered in high school. It’s an easy and free way to earn college credit. However, these “free” classes are making a dent in the school budget.
There are three options for Pleasant Valley students to take a Scott class. The most common is to take a dual enrollment course taught in the high school by a PV teacher. The next would be to go to Scott’s campus and take a class there. Many students, however, are choosing the last option: online courses.
After COVID-19 pushed the nation into remote learning, it has become increasingly popular to enroll in online classes. These courses are operated through Scott’s Canvas platform and are designed to be flexible for students. The community college has become a prominent leader in offering digital coursework. Over 4,300 students participated in fully online classes, building up to 61,146 credit hours.
However, these classes are not cheap. The in-state rate for one credit hour is $209. Most semester-long dual-enrollment classes earn up to three credit hours, adding up to over $600 in fees. There is no high school discount. “The cost of taking a class is the same as Scott markets to outside students,” said service learning coordinator Ellie Thomas.
Students never have to pay these amounts, and the school only has to pay some of them. Dual enrollment taken in high school has a special scenario. “If you are in the building, the state supplements the cost to the school district, if you are out of the building there is no break.” Thomas said. All online classes and courses taken at Scott are paid out of pocket.
Some courses are more expensive than others. “Welding is more expensive because of the materials they use compared to a normal class,” stated business clerk Cindy Carius. Certificate programs and hands-on learning carry higher costs.
The high school also allows students a grace period to drop any class, including dual credits. However, if a student drops a Scott class, the school still has to pay the class fee. Dual enrollment gives students valuable courses, but the so-called “free” credits come with real costs to the district. As more students turn to Scott classes, PV must find a balance between expanding student opportunities and protecting its budget. Without support or limitations, financial strain may continue to grow.
