27 Oct 2021 Conway County students earn college credit, technical certificates in high school

Posted at 3:09 PMh in Features by

If you are a high school student in any of the five Conway County high schools and meet the criteria for the School Counts! program, you can get a jump start on your college degree or technical certificate for free.

More than $720,000 has been invested in eligible Conway County students since School Counts! began in 2006, according to Brenda Mauldin, a fundraising consultant. Qualifying students can receive financial assistance to help them earn college credit hours and/or a technical certificate in one of the many technical programs offered at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton by taking concurrent classes.

Jordan Ryals took concurrent classes at the University of Arkansas Community College in Morrilton and completed her associate’s degree early before transferring to the University of Central Arkansas to work on a bachelor’s degree in health care services.

“All Conway County School Districts contribute $51/credit hour for School Counts! students to take concurrent classes at UACCM,” said Shawn Halbrook, superintendent of the South Conway County School District.

“This includes students who want to earn college credit and students who want to earn a technical certificate while still in high school. We’ve had students graduate high school with 15 to 30 hours of college credit already completed. Also, we’ve had students who received their technical certificates, ready to start to work when they graduated.”

Support for School Counts! has come from individuals, all K-12 county schools, local businesses, community organizations, foundations, and UACCM. The program instills in students the importance of developing skills and attitudes that help them succeed in the workforce. School counselors begin early in elementary school talking about the helpful program, so that by eighth and ninth grades, students understand the opportunities and financial assistance available to them. Many enroll in the program during their ninth-grade year to take full advantage of the financial assistance available to them during high school.

In addition to the Conway County schools paying $51/credit hour, UACCM and School Counts! split the mandatory fees, according to Lisa Willenberg, chancellor.

“Many of our School Counts! students earn an associate degree at UACCM and transfer to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville to complete their degree,” Willenberg said. “When they do this, they pay the same tuition at Fayetteville as they did here at UACCM. Actually, all two-year colleges in the UA system can do this, which really helps students complete their degree as economically as possible.”

Chancellor Willenberg also noted, “UACCM is excited to continue our partnership with School Counts! and all Conway County K-12 schools. This partnership spells opportunity for students. Upon high school graduation, whether it be a certificate for direct entry into a high-wage, high-demand job, transfer to UACCM for advanced training/classes, or transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree, the opportunities are truly endless with this unique partnership and it remains the envy of communities near and far. Great job, Conway County!”

To be eligible for financial assistance, 

students must meet the following 

core values and criteria: 

Quality: “I always give my best effort.” No transcript grade lower than a “C.”

Attendance:“I show up for work.” Achieve a 90-95% attendance record each year for Grades 9-12.

Persistence:“I finish what I start.” On schedule to complete high school in four consecutive years.

Goal Setting: “I go the extra mile.” Take more than the minimum number of credits required by the state for graduation.

If students meet the criteria, contact a high school counselor to enroll in the program. “The skills you learn will never leave you and can serve as a foundation for a great future!” Willenberg said.