Early College Program Gets a Boost Thanks to Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Partnership Grant

Quinsigamond Community College has been awarded a Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Partnership (CDEP) Grant of $32,400. The grant provides funding for high school students to take college-level courses that fulfill high school requirements, as well as earn college credit towards their degree. The CDEP helps to ease the transition from high school to college, enabling high school students to get a head start on their college careers. The program offers academic experiences to qualified students who otherwise may not have access to an early college experience. The CDEP’s goal is to increase the population of high school graduates who are college ready. 

QCC has a strong Early College Program and is a pathway to higher education for those historically underserved. Since 2018, the College has worked with Worcester Public Schools, creating college equity access to more students who have historically been underserved. Currently, the College has partnered with seven Worcester Public High Schools and 22 Central Massachusetts High Schools. Classes range from general education to business and healthcare.

“The CDEP Grant funding will be used to offer college credit courses to underserved students in the Worcester County Early College Programs,” said Christina Hebert, director of Educational Partnerships K-12 & Early College Initiatives at QCC. “We are excited that this CDEP Grant will enable us to offer credit courses to students in schools that to date have not had access to this type of program.”

Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito praised QCC’s program in a letter to President Dr. Luis Pedraja.

 “We want to thank you for your commitment to increasing college participation through dual enrollment activities, particularly for low-income, underrepresented, and first-generation college students. Through this funding and your continued support, we hope to expand access to great educational opportunities for every student in the Commonwealth.”

Visit Early College to learn more.