Lees-McRae College expands Memorandum of Understanding partnership with area high schools to include Ashe County
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BANNER ELK, N.C.— In the fourth agreement of its kind with area high schools, Lees-McRae College has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ashe County High School, a partnership that seeks to open doors and create better access to higher education for local students.
“For the first time, students at Ashe County High School will have the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses for free while still in high school, connect with our faculty and staff through specialized visits, and receive a 50% tuition discount if they enroll at Lees-McRae College full-time upon high school graduation. This partnership will offer Ashe County High School students amazing opportunities for years to come,” Director of Admissions Trenton Burleson said. “As a former student teacher and coach at Ashe County High School, I have the utmost respect for what administrators, teachers, and coaches provide daily for the students. I look forward to building and growing relationships with prospective students and their families in the Ashe County community.”
The three-pronged MOU includes programming exchanges, the Lees-McRae Pre-College Initiative, and discounted Lees-McRae tuition, all of which are available to Ashe County High School students through this agreement.
Programming Exchanges
The MOU establishes a plan for Lees-McRae faculty and staff to conduct programming at Ashe County High School to help students prepare for college. This will include informational sessions about submitting FAFSA applications, NCAA eligibility and recruitment, and more.
In addition, Ashe County High School students will be invited to the college’s campus to get acquainted with the unique academic opportunities Lees-McRae has to offer. This may include, among other things, tours of the college’s May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Elk Valley Preserve and Field Station.
Lees-McRae Pre-College Initiative
Through the Lees-McRae Pre-College Initiative, Ashe County High School students can earn college credits while still in high school under a dual-enrollment model. Qualified Ashe County High School juniors and seniors will be eligible to enroll in one (1) main campus or online/distance learning Lees-McRae College course per semester at no tuition cost. Course assignments will be based on availability and course placement will be determined by the college. Students will be responsible for any textbook or additional course fees.
Students who are eligible to enroll in the Initiative must be in their junior or senior year at Avery County High School and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above to participate in dual-enrollment courses.
To apply for the program, candidates must complete the college’s Undergraduate Application and select the “Non-Degree” option. There is no application fee. Following application submission, students who match the criteria will also be required to undergo a brief interview with Lees-McRae College enrollment staff and work directly with them to establish next steps.
Discounted Lees-McRae Tuition
In addition to the opportunities this agreement provides Ashe County students while still in high school, there are also resources built in once they begin their college career. The MOU offers a 50% tuition discount for Ashe County students who enroll full-time at Lees-McRae upon graduating from high school.
Students are not required to have participated in the Lees-McRae Pre-College Initiative to take advantage of this opportunity. The 50% tuition discount is available to all students who graduated from Ashe County High School and who are accepted to Lees-McRae through the traditional application process.
