GREENSBORO, N.C .— UNC Greensboro is getting a five million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education to study early and middle college programs.

  • It's designed to track student outcomes in school and the workforce
  • Each year North Carolina spends $130 million for high school students to take college courses
  • One student says the programs help expand access to better jobs and higher education throughout the state, and while it's difficult it's worth the effort

It's designed to track student outcomes in school and the workforce.

Each year North Carolina spends $130 million for high school students to take college courses.

“College is becoming much more expensive,” said Julie Edmunds, Secondary School Reform Program Director. “And so what we see is that can put college out of reach for many students. And what that can do is really lead us to a dived of the haves and the have nots.”

One student says the programs help expand access to better jobs and higher education throughout the state, and while it's difficult it's worth the effort.

“Honestly, the school system in general doesn’t do a lot to set you up for that and as a student I recognized that,” said Graham Yates, senior. “So, I decided to take it into my own hands and apply for his school so I can have an easier transition. And I’ve been able to get that college experience before actually going into college.”

Over time officials will collect data and feed it back into the state system to make changes to high school alternative programs.

The study will be completed in 2024.