Beginning this fall, Big Rapids High School students can now earn college credit from Ferris State University through the Woodbridge Ferris Early College Program.
At its regular Board of Education meeting Monday night, Aug. 14, Big Rapids Public Schools and Ferris announced the new partnership and the opportunity for students to earn college credit through dual and concurrent enrollment classes at BRHS. In tandem with the Early College Program, BRHS graduates will also be eligible for the Ferris NEXT Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship, renewable for up to three years, will be awarded to students who have graduated from BRHS; are admissible for a degree-granting program at Ferris; are enrolling full-time at a Ferris site within one year of graduation; and have successfully earned a C or better in at least three credits through a Ferris collaborative high school agreement.
“I am very grateful for our partnership with Superintendent Tim Haist and Big Rapids High School,” said Ferris President David L. Eisler. “By partnering and providing this opportunity to these students, it will reduce their time to earning a degree. Experience shows this creates a smooth transition from high school to college, helping students seamlessly continue their studies and earn their degree at Ferris State University.”
Tim Haist, superintendent of BRPS, is appreciative of this new opportunity for students.
“Ferris has always been, and continues to be, a great partner for Big Rapids Public Schools," said Haist. “We are continuing to enhance the experiences we provide to our students so they are college and career ready. This partnership with Ferris will help give our students one more way to work toward meeting their future educational goals.”
Instrumental in the formation of this partnership, Ferris State’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Paul Blake, says he is grateful for the support of Haist and his administrative team for shaping and solidifying this partnership.
“It is truly a win-win for everyone involved,” said Blake.
Ferris State University is a four-year public university with campuses in Big Rapids, Grand Rapids and satellite campuses across the state of Michigan. Ferris offers more than 180 educational programs, including doctorates, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees, through eight academic colleges: Arts, Sciences and Education, Business, Education and Human Services, Engineering Technology, Health Professions, Kendall College of Art and Design, Michigan College of Optometry and Pharmacy.