— College Credit for the Advanced Student

The Northeast Community College Project Challenge is a cooperative program between Northeast Community College and participating area high schools. Project Challenge provides a mechanism for high school juniors and seniors to take entry level college freshman courses and earn college credits while yet in high school. These courses are offered to students in their high school during the regular high school day and are of the same material and rigor as the Northeast Community College courses taught on campus.

The credit courses are taught by high school faculty who become adjunct instructors for Northeast Community College. These faculty members must be successful teachers and have advanced degrees in their subject areas.

Successful completion of the Project Challenge course earns grades and credit to be recorded on a Northeast Community College transcript. These credits may be used at Northeast Community College or transferred to another college or university.

• Students can save money. There will not be room and board expenses while earning college credits while yet in high school. The tuition and fees are, in many instances, lower than other public and private colleges and universities.
• Since students have earned college credit while yet in high school, they may be able to work, or work extra hours, without affecting their college load. This can help reduce the amount of college loans.
• Project Challenge courses can be used as challenge courses for seniors, many who have already completed high school graduation requirements.
• Courses offered via Project Challenge have an exceptionally high level of transferability to other two- and four-year institutions. Visit with a Northeast Community College counselor for answers to specific questions regarding transferability.
• Students who have earned early entry credits through Project Challenge have greater flexibility and more options in completing their degree program from a two- or four-year institution.
• Student's progress in Project Challenge courses is evaluated throughout the year rather than basing the success of the student on one examination at the completion of the course.
• Some Project Challenge courses may be taken over a two semester time period rather than a single semester.
• Students are introduced to the concept of working on their own, timelines, and budgeting their time through Project Challenge.

The courses offered through the Project Challenge program are the same courses offered at Northeast Community College. The course material, text book, and instructor syllabus are equivalent to those used on campus. Project Challenge courses are of greater depth, take more time, and require more work than a normal high school class. The student's ability to conceptualize, research, write and draw conclusions from their research and reading will be strengthened.

High school juniors and seniors are eligible to participate in the Project Challenge program. Students must have successfully completed the prerequisite high school courses and be approved by a high school administrator. Recommended academic guidelines for Project Challenge students are that students rank in the upper half of their high school class and have a GPA of 3.0 or above or have an ACT composite score of 20 or subscore of 20 for the related work area. The student's success depends upon maturity, motivation, and the willingness to work.

Successful completion of Project Challenge courses at the local high school earn credits and grades on a Northeast Community College transcript. A written request must be made to the Northeast Registrar asking that the transcript be sent to the college or university of your choice. The receiving institution has the ultimate decision about accepting transfer credits. Northeast has had an exceptionally high transferability acceptance rate.

Written transfer agreements are in place for Wayne State College, Chadron State College, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, University of Nebraska, Kearney, Doane College, Peru State College, University of Nebraska, Omaha, the University of South Dakota, and South Dakota State University. Many courses have transferred to other public and private two- and four-year institutions. Northeast's Student Services' counselors can inquire about transferability for you.

Check Northeast's Transfer Guide, but again, the receiving institution will determine acceptance of transfer credits.

Registration and tuition payment are conducted at the host high school. Tuition is approved by Northeast Community College's Board of Governors, and is the same as on-campus classes. Tuition payment is due in full at the beginning of the Project Challenge classes. Project Challenge students complete Northeast Community College Early Enrollment forms. They also adhere to drop, withdrawal and refund policies.

Text books may be provided at the local school's discretion or they may be purchased by individual students through the College bookstore.

For more information about Project Challenge, contact: Anne Ausdemore
anne@northeastcollege.com, Director of Distance Learning & Continuing Education at
(402) 844-7243 or 1-800-348-9033