CARBONDALE (SIU NEWS) – Starting next semester, students in 26 high schools can take college courses tuition-free from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a top-tier research institution.
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin Lane and leaders at partner high schools throughout Southern Illinois signed a memorandum of understanding for the Saluki Start Dual Enrollment Program.
“At Southern, we are committed to expanding access to education and fostering student success, especially to high school students in our own backyard,” Lane said. “It is part of what makes SIU Carbondale an Opportunity University. Plus, students will get the resources of a Research 1 institution.”
SIU Carbondale is one of only 21 institutions in the country to be included on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions for Higher Education’s lists for Research 1 – the same as flagship universities and elite private schools – and Opportunity Colleges and Universities, which provide affordability and a significant return on investment.
Students will receive online instruction from SIU faculty members, taking one SIU Carbondale course per term, and they can apply the credit hours they earn toward a degree.
“High school students participating in Saluki Start will get a preview of what makes an education at SIU Carbondale special,” said Sarah Jiter, director of undergraduate admissions. “If they get an early start on their college journey with us, we will provide a smooth transition to continuing their education on our beautiful campus close to home.”
To participate, high school students must be recommended by their schools, have completed two years of high school, have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and have demonstrated an aptitude and readiness for college-level coursework.
Partner high schools in Southern Illinois are:
- Anna-Jonesboro Community High School
- Benton Consolidated High School
- Carbondale Community High School
- Carterville High School
- Chester High School
- Cobden Unit School District 17
- Coulterville Unit School District
- Du Quoin High School
- Frankfort Community High School
- Goreville CUSD 1
- Harrisburg CUSD 3
- Eldorado High School
- Hardin County High School
- Johnston City High School
- Meridian High School
- Murphysboro High School
- Nashville Community High School
- Pinckneyville Community High School
- Sesser-Valier High School
- Shawnee Junior-Senior High School
- Sparta High School
- Steeleville High School
- Red Bud High School
- Vienna High School
- Webber High School
- Woodlawn High School
