🎓 Why Wait Until Graduation? How New Hampshire 10th Graders Can Start Earning College Credit in High School

Early College, dual enrollment, NASA opportunities and other ways high-school students can start building their futures now

By Hidden News Media

For generations, students have followed essentially the same path:

Go to high school.

Graduate.

Then start college.

But for some New Hampshire students, college doesn't have to wait until after high-school graduation.

Students as early as 10th grade may have opportunities to earn legitimate college credits while they're still completing high school sometimes at little or no tuition cost.

And that's only the beginning.

Students interested in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, aviation, computer programming and other fields can also begin participating in programs connected to organizations such as NASA.

For a motivated teenager, high school doesn't simply have to be preparation for the future.

It can be the beginning of it.

What Is Early College?

The Community College System of New Hampshire offers several options that allow high-school students to begin college-level coursework early.

One is Early College at the High School.

Students in grades 10–12 can take approved college courses right at participating high schools.

These aren't simply advanced high-school classes.

They are college courses taught by teachers who are credentialed to teach college-level material.

Students who successfully complete them can earn both high-school and college credit.

That means one class can potentially move a student closer to both high-school graduation and a future college credential.

There's Another Option: Take Classes Through the College

Students don't necessarily have to wait for their high school to offer the class they want.

New Hampshire's Early College program allows qualifying high-school students age 15 and older to take courses directly through one of the state's community colleges.

Depending on the college and course, classes may be available:

This can give students access to subjects their high school may not offer.

Imagine being a sophomore interested in computer science but having limited technology classes available at school.

Early College could potentially provide another path.

What Does It Cost?

Here's where the program becomes especially interesting for New Hampshire families.

Early College courses are already offered at discounted tuition rates.

But eligible students in grades 10–12 including qualifying homeschooled students age 15 and older may also have access to up to two state-supported Early College scholarships each year, subject to funding availability.

Those scholarships can cover tuition and most fees for eligible courses.

Books, materials or certain additional course fees may still be the student's responsibility.

For some families, that can mean beginning college without taking on the tuition normally associated with college coursework.

How Much Could This Help?

Suppose a student begins earning college credits in 10th grade and continues through 11th and 12th grade.

Even a handful of successfully completed courses could mean entering college with credits already on a transcript.

Depending on where the student ultimately attends college and how those credits transfer, they could potentially:

However, families should understand one important point:

The college or university a student eventually attends makes the final decision about accepting transferred credits.

A course may transfer directly into a degree requirement, transfer as an elective, or in some cases not apply to the student's chosen program.

Students should plan strategically rather than simply collecting as many credits as possible.

This Is About More Than Saving Money

There's another benefit that may be even more important.

A 15- or 16-year-old doesn't necessarily know what they want to do for the rest of their life.

And that's perfectly reasonable.

Early College gives students an opportunity to explore.

Interested in programming?

Try a computer course.

Considering healthcare?

Explore biology.

Thinking about business?

Take an introductory business class.

Fascinated by engineering?

Build a foundation in mathematics and science.

Discovering what you don't want to study before spending thousands of dollars on a degree can be valuable too.

🚀 What About Students Who Dream About NASA?

This is where planning ahead becomes especially exciting.

NASA offers educational experiences, student challenges and programs that allow young people to begin developing aerospace-related skills before they're ready for NASA's primary college internship programs.

Some NASA programs specifically include high-school students.

For example, NASA's Aviation Systems Division Concept Design Experience has accepted U.S. citizens who are in 10th or 11th grade at the time of application.

Students work on aviation-related concepts and explore technologies and career areas connected with NASA.

NASA also regularly offers student challenges and STEM experiences covering subjects such as:

The individual programs, eligibility rules and application periods change, so students should check NASA's current opportunities rather than assuming a particular program is always available.

Preparing for a NASA Internship Can Start in 10th Grade

NASA's primary OSTEM internships are currently described by NASA as opportunities for college-level students, and applicants must be at least 16.

But that doesn't mean a 10th grader should wait to start preparing.

Quite the opposite.

Think about what a student could build during the next several years:

10th Grade

Take an Early College course.

Join a NASA student challenge.

Learn Python.

Try engineering or robotics.

Start documenting projects.

11th Grade

Continue college coursework.

Take more advanced STEM classes.

Build a portfolio.

Participate in NASA or other STEM programs.

Explore careers and possible college majors.

12th Grade

Continue earning applicable credits.

Research colleges.

Develop a professional résumé.

Document projects, awards and experiences.

Prepare for college-level internships.

College

Now that student isn't beginning from zero.

They may already have college credits, technical skills, completed projects and experience participating in STEM programs.

That's when opportunities such as NASA OSTEM internships can become part of the next step.

🚀 NASA Isn't Only Looking for Future Astronauts

Students should also understand something important about NASA careers.

NASA doesn't only employ astronauts and rocket scientists.

Its workforce includes people working in areas such as:

NASA says even its Pathways internship program includes opportunities outside traditional STEM majors.

A teenager who loves computers, writing, photography, communications, mathematics or business shouldn't automatically assume there isn't a place for their skills in aerospace.

Other Programs Matter Too

NASA is only one example.

Students should also look for:

A student's future résumé doesn't have to begin after college.

They can begin building it during high school.

Parents: Talk to the School Counselor

For New Hampshire families interested in Early College, one of the best first steps is simply asking the student's school counselor:

“What college-credit courses are available to my student?”

Also ask:

“Which courses qualify for the Early College scholarship?”

And:

“Will this course count toward both high-school graduation and college credit?”

For students planning to attend a particular college after graduation, families can also research how that institution handles transfer credit.

Don't Choose Courses Just Because They're Free

This may be one of the most important pieces of advice.

A free college course isn't automatically the right college course.

Students should think about where they're headed.

A student interested in data science might benefit from mathematics, statistics, computer science or programming.

A future engineer may want mathematics and physics.

A future journalist might consider writing, communications or media.

A future business owner could explore accounting, marketing or entrepreneurship.

Build a pathway rather than simply accumulating credits.

Imagine Graduating High School With More Than a Diploma

Imagine a student walking across the stage at high-school graduation.

They aren't only holding a diploma.

They've already completed college coursework.

They've learned how college classes operate.

They've explored potential careers.

They've participated in STEM projects.

They've built a portfolio.

Maybe they've learned Python.

Maybe they've completed a NASA challenge.

Maybe they've discovered a career they didn't even know existed when they entered 10th grade.

That's what makes opportunities like these worth talking about.

College and career preparation doesn't have to begin when high school ends.

For some New Hampshire students, it can begin while high school is still happening.