College of the Mainland has eliminated the $2,700 collegiate high school, or CHS, program fee for students who qualify for state financial aid for the swift transfer, or FAST, program, according to a March 2 news release from the college.
What you need to know
The change expands the college’s dual credit initiative, which offers two pathways for high school students, including:
- Traditional dual credit where students take college-level courses at their high school, on the college’s campus or online
- CHS program where students attend classes on campus and complete structured coursework designed to help them earn college credit while in high school
The fee waiver for FAST-eligible CHS students will take effect this fall, according to the news release.
The college will also launch a financial assistance program to reduce or fully cover the CHS fee for students who do not qualify for FAST but demonstrate financial need.
Why now?
Several school districts within the college’s taxing district said continuing to cover the CHS fee is no longer financially sustainable and that families would likely have to begin paying the cost in the 2026-27 school year, according to the news release.
College officials said the revised funding model is intended to keep early college opportunities accessible without adding new financial barriers.
The college has also adopted a flat tuition model and expanded the use of open educational resources, allowing textbooks and course materials to be provided digitally at no cost, according to the news release.
“When state funding allows us to reinvest directly back into our students, we do. Removing this fee protects opportunity for families and strengthens the long-term economic future of our region,” President Helen Brewer said in the news release.
