MARIETTA— Brenna Weidner is a College Credit Plus (CCP) student from Fort Frye High School who will graduate this spring from Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) with an associate degree and a certificate. The ambitious high school senior likes that the early college option gives her choices to consider for her future, regardless if she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree or transition into a career.
Participating in CCP has been a part of Weidner’s academic plan since she learned of the initiative in junior high school. She said she loved the idea of it particularly because of the money savings. “CCP lets me get the experience of college while I’m in high school without spending money. One of my biggest fears is going to college and graduating with a bunch of debt,” Weidner confessed.
CCP is an early college option funded by the state of Ohio that allows 7th through 12th-grade students the opportunity to earn college credits at no cost to them. What that means for Weidner is that in May, before she is handed her high school diploma, she will have earned a one-year certificate in accounting as well as an associate degree in individualized studies with an emphasis in business and accounting.
Weidner is currently making plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in accounting at Capitol University. Thanks to an articulation agreement, she will be able to complete a bachelor’s in business management or accounting in just two years with the added benefit of earning a master’s degree in one additional year.
Some of the advantages of CCP for Weidner are flexibility and making her own schedule, but what she likes most about graduating high school with a college degree is that it opens up the possibilities for her future. “I like that CCP gives me the option to go on and get my bachelor’s degree, or if I decide I don’t want to go on, I have an associate degree and a certificate so I can get a job.”
For those thinking about taking CCP classes, Weidner encourages students to go for it. “It is a great program and you will thank yourself later. CCP can get you an associate degree when you graduate high school, and it can help take up to two years off of a bachelor’s degree.”
Parents of students and students who are considering CCP for next fall, WSCO will hold an information session on Sunday, March 10 at 1 p.m. Pre-registration can be done at https://www.wscc.edu/event/ccp-planning-session-2/2024-02-24/
