SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - More and more local high school students are slashing college tuition costs, free of charge.
From the cheer squad to the lacrosse team, junior Katie Quis' schedule at Rancho Bernardo High is packed. That's not counting her Tuesdays and Thursday, when she heads to Miramar College for a calculus class.
The class is her third at Miramar College since last summer; part of the dual enrollment program which offers college-credit classes to high school students at no cost. The benefit of the calculus class could multiply if it helps her score well on the AP Calculus exam.
"I could end up getting double the credits, than if I just took the AP test or class," said Quis, 16.
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By the time she graduates, Quis will have roughly 30 units, which translates into about a year of college.
"It helps save my parents of a lot of money for college down the road," said Quis.
The numbers add up quickly. Counting room and board, and tuition, Quis says knocking off the extra year of college could save between $50,000 and $90,000.
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"Feels really good!" said Quis.
She's hardly alone. Since spring 2015, dual enrollment for high school students at Miramar College has jumped from 320 to about 2,000 students.
Naomi Grisham heads the college's Transfer Center.
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"With college costs increasing, we expect dual enrollment to continue rising," said Grisham.
"College costs can cause my parents a lot of stress. So it'll be nice to save them that stress," said Quis.
The grades go on a student's college record, so experts say check with a counselor to make sure dual enrollment is the right option.
