High Schoolers Earn Degrees Debt-Free Through Early College Partnerships

The program at Grand River Preparatory High School functions as a "soft launch" into higher education. Students begin with a single college course during their sophomore year, steadily increasing their workload as they progress toward graduation. By the time they finish high school, participants have completed two years of college-level coursework, credits that transfer directly toward bachelor’s degrees or entry-level positions in their chosen fields.

During the 2024-25 school year alone, 565 students across nine NHA high schools earned 5,186 college credits, resulting in an estimated $1.12 million in tuition savings. Felicia Pope of Davenport University notes that the model changes the trajectory for young adults, allowing them to enter the workforce or advanced degree programs without the financial burden that plagues millions of American borrowers.

Beyond the tuition-free aspect, the program embeds layers of academic support. Advisors from both the university and the high school meet weekly with students to manage scheduling, degree pathways, and course expectations. For graduates like Kennah Kalele, who transitioned from a medical assisting associate degree to a nursing program at Grand Valley State University, the head start means skipping general education requirements and gaining professional experience while peers are still navigating introductory coursework.