Winston Salem Times

North Carolina high school students have free online college courses available to them through the NC Community College System. 

“Free online classes are available to high school students this fall at North Carolina’s community colleges through the innovative Career & College Promise dual enrollment program," the NC Community College System said in a statement, FOX 8 reported on Aug. 5. "Last year, about 59,000 high school students across the state took these courses, which save time and money toward a college degree."

The classes will be available during the fall semester and are weighted the same as AP classes toward a student's GPA, FOX 8 reported. Classes will be mainly taught online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"The affordable path to a college degree starts in high school at our state’s 58 community colleges," Bill Carver, interim president of the NC Community College System, said in the statement, FOX 8 reported. "We are doing everything we can to serve all students during the pandemic, and that includes high school students who want to get a jump on a college education. School districts and community colleges are partners in this important effort."

Students can enroll in the program by discussing it with their guidance counselor.