RALEIGH – Many North Carolina families are struggling these days. But for students who want to earn college credits while still in high school, there’s a free way to do it.

Career & College Promise lets high-school students enroll at local community colleges to earn credits that count the same as Advanced Placement (AP) courses on high-school transcripts. Some students even earn an associate degree or certificate while still in high school.

Last year, 59,000 high-school students across the state took part in a wide variety of classes – nearly 1,500 different courses, in fact.

“It’s a great idea because you can take classes in high school that will transfer to your college,” said Naomi Dennie, a student at Lenoir Community College. “Also, the classes are free and will help you reach your career goals.”

Students can speak with their high-school counselors or the local community college to enroll. Many classes offered through Career & College Promise (CCP) are conducted online during the coronavirus pandemic.

Gilleyn Bunting, who went to Mount Airy High School and Surry Community College at the same time, says Career & College Promise gave her a head start on a four-year degree.

“I am now a current junior at UNC-Chapel Hill because I completed two years’ worth of credit through CCP,” Bunting said. “I will be graduating early and felt prepared coming into college.”