Salem State To Expand College Credit Program With State Funding

SALEM, MA — A Salem State University program that allows Salem High students to obtain college credits at no cost while in high school is expanding with the help of two state grants.

Salem State will use grants of $75,000 and $150,000 to expand the Forten Scholars Early College program designed to provide a pathway to college, by reducing the cost and time obligation to earn a degree, for those who might not otherwise have a chance to go to college.

The university said the program is expected to expand from 100 to 150 Salem High students next year.

The school is looking to offer up to 30 advanced credits for high school students in the near future with the help of the funding, which will also support a new travel study course as well as English and Spanish promotional videos.

Salem State also has an early college program with Lynn English and Lynn Classical.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)