Victoria College to Provide Free Dual-Credit Courses for Economically Disadvantaged High School Students Starting Fall 2024

Victoria College plans to offer dual-credit courses at no cost to economically disadvantaged high school students. This is made possible through the state-funded Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) Program, starting in Fall 2024. The program, established by Texas House Bill 8, allows eligible students to earn college credit while in high school.

Eligibility for the program is based on enrollment in a dual-credit course at a participating public school district or charter school. Students must also qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Victoria College President, Dr. Jennifer Kent, believes the program will significantly benefit students who previously could not afford college-level coursework.

Victoria College is also shifting from traditional textbooks to open educational resources (OER) in dual-credit courses. These free, faculty-created or adapted course materials will reduce the cost of textbooks for students. Dr. Kent noted that the use of OER will assist students in completing their courses more quickly.

All dual-credit students, including those who do not qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, will benefit from these free resources. Traditional students enrolled in the same courses at Victoria College will also benefit. The college plans to gradually introduce free instructional materials into other courses.

Students who do not qualify for the FAST Program can still apply for dual-credit scholarships. For more information about Victoria College's dual-credit offering, the college can be contacted directly.

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