In 2023, McKenzie Murphy, a recent high school graduate, applied for a part-time job. She was only 19 years old, but her application showed something impressive — she had an associate’s degree from Northeast Community College. Her interviewer couldn’t believe it. “How did you graduate with a degree at your age?” she asked. The answer lies in her participation in a dual enrollment program.

Murphy earned that degree while still in high school. She took college-level classes through a state dual enrollment program. This program lets high school students earn college credits while finishing their high school diplomas. Murphy earned both her high school and college diplomas by the time she graduated from Bancroft-Rosalie High School.

“I like staying busy,” Murphy said.

Thousands of students benefit from dual enrollment program

This year, over 20,000 Nebraska high school students are taking dual enrollment classes. These classes are offered at more than 200 schools across the state. Many students, like Murphy, graduate with two diplomas.

The program offers discounted tuition. In some parts of the state, students get free tuition and books. But this program may face cuts because the federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is ending. The state will only provide $3 million a year, which is not enough.

A push for more funding

Several leaders from Nebraska’s community colleges, high schools, and businesses are working to protect the program. They want the state to add $21 million over the next two years to keep the program going.

Supporters say the dual enrollment program helps students finish college faster. It helps them get jobs sooner. It also fills high-demand positions like welding, teaching, and healthcare. The program also helps stop the “brain drain,” where young, educated people leave Nebraska for other states.

“This is one of the most successful partnerships between education and business,” said Randy Schmailzl, president of Metropolitan Community College. His school has nearly 9,000 dual enrollment students this year.

The impact on local education

Mark Shepard, superintendent of Fremont Public Schools, said the program has improved local career and technical education. Over the past nine years, 200 student welders were trained, with 70 of them now working in well-paying jobs.

“It’s a game-changer for our state,” Shepard said.

Murphy said she couldn’t have taken the classes without the discounted tuition. At Northeast Community College, tuition costs $108 per credit hour. But at her school, students took 790 credit hours of dual enrollment classes this year, with many graduating with an associate’s degree.

Millard Public Schools also benefits from the program. Over 2,200 students took dual enrollment classes last year, earning 26,000 credits. This saved families almost $2 million in tuition fees.

A path to graduation and workforce

Educators agree that dual enrollment helps students graduate sooner and with less debt. It also gets them into the workforce quicker, which is important for Nebraska’s economy.

Michael Johnson from the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce said the state’s worker shortage is the top barrier to growth. “This program is a win for everyone,” he said.

Legislation to secure funding

State Senator Jason Prokop introduced Legislative Bill 173 to provide more funding for dual enrollment. The bill would add $10 million for 2025-2026 and $11 million the following year. This funding would help cover the program’s costs and support the growing number of students.

But the bill wasn’t included in the first draft of the state’s budget. The Appropriations Committee is trying to close a budget gap, which means less money for new programs.

Some committee members, like Omaha Senator Christy Armendariz, asked if other sources of funding could support the program. However, Northeast Community College said it cannot continue offering free tuition without more funding.

No action yet on the dual enrollment program bill

The Appropriations Committee did not take action on the bill after the public hearing. They received 70 online comments in support of the bill and none against it.

Murphy, who is now studying pre-medicine at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, couldn’t attend the hearing. She is working three part-time jobs while pursuing her degree.

Murphy said the dual enrollment program helped her become more organized. “I had to make a daily list of everything I needed to do,” she said. The program also helped her get hired. “When you see someone with an associate’s degree, you know they’re hard-working,” she said.