Getting a jump start on college can be cheaper than you think

Andrea Castro

High school student Andrea Castro (above) studied Japanese at Austin Community College. Eugene Washington (below) also participates in Early College Start.

Like many parents these days, Margaret Jones wasn’t sure how she would pay for her son’s college, until she heard he could take up to one year of college for free.

“We couldn’t afford college at that time, so Early College Start was the way he could get started,” said Jones.

Eugene Washington

Her son, Eugene Washington, entered Austin Community College’s Early College Start (ECS) through Del Valle High School. The program allows high school juniors and seniors to take college credit courses.

“It was an offer I couldn’t pass up,” said Washington.

And neither could Andrea Castro, a senior at Round Rock’s McNeil High School. She took Japanese at the ACC Riverside Campus.

“I’m really excited that my transcript will show that I’ve already gotten some college hours, and that I’m taking my future seriously,” said Castro.

More than 3,200 students have participated in ECS this year, and 650 Round Rock students took classes this summer.

“The fact that high school students can receive credit for both high school and college, at a very low cost, makes ECS more popular every year,” said Executive Director Luanne Preston of the program’s 56 percent growth since 2002.

Castro hopes to have nine hours under her belt before she graduates from McNeil next May. “My college classes have been quite challenging, but I’ve had some great professors who have been there to help me along the way.”

Washington says he would recommend it to anyone.

“College is totally different from high school, but ECS makes the transition really smooth.”

ECS is free for high school students who live in-district, and only $40 per course for those out-of-district. For more information, visit austincc.edu and search ECS, or call (512) 223.7355.

Back to Top