Members of the High School Connections staff at Fayetteville Technical Community College were thrilled this past August when over 1,200 high school students arrived on campus in buses, in cars and on foot to earn free college credit. Counselors at the high schools attended by these lucky students shared information with them about FTCC’s High School Connections program. High School Connections

High School Connections offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to dual enroll in college classes at FTCC while still in high school. This program is an excellent money-saving idea for parents who fund their children’s education. The savings from earning one year, or even one semester, of college credit without paying tuition could be substantial. Plus, consider the savings resulting from not needing a meal plan or a dorm room.

FTCC provides the College Transfer Pathway participants with general education courses such as math, history, psychology, sociology and foreign languages available. College Transfer Pathway courses are guaranteed to transfer to all 16 UNC universities in North Carolina if the student earns a grade of C or better in the course.

Some students may be interested in attending a university. Others might enjoy the opportunity to learn a technical trade so they can work while paying for college.

FTCC’s Career and Technical Pathway initiative offers over 30 programs. These program areas include several computer-related pathways, including demi-chef, business, medical coding and billing, nurse’s aide, emergency medical science, horticulture, manicuring, fire protection, construction, infant- toddler care, computer-integrated machining, collision repair, criminal justice and more. FTCC also offers concurrent pathways in plumbing, welding, a/c, heating and refrigeration, and electricity motors and controls. A complete listing of programs is available at: www.faytechcc.edu/academics/highschool- connections.

Students who are interested should check in with their high school guidance counselor or contact me at FTCC at fultond@ faytechcc.edu for more details.

Feb. 27, FTCC will host its annual open house from 5 to 7 p.m. and hold “parent nights” February through April at many local Cumberland County high schools and private schools. Parents and students can meet FTCC faculty and staff at open houses as well as see presentations and participate in Q&A sessions. FTCC staff can also help students complete the online application. Parents should remember to bring their child’s social security number to begin the admissions process.

High School Connections is just one of the outstanding programs available at FTCC. Visit with staff at campus locations in Fayetteville and Spring Lake or take virtual tours via the website at www.faytechcc.edu.