Pictured: Elizabeth Wigeri Van Edema with President Gregory and Interim Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs, Dr. Rand at the SCF Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony. Provided photo.

Imagine earning a high school diploma and a college degree in the very same week. That is the reality for many students through the Early College programs at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF). Known more widely as dual enrollment, early admission, and accelerated dual enrollment, these programs give ambitious students the chance to get ahead while saving families both time and money.

Participation comes at no cost. Tuition is fully covered, making it possible for students to complete meaningful college coursework without the financial burden that typically accompanies higher education. Families save thousands of dollars, and students graduate ready to continue their education or enter the workforce with confidence.

The benefits extend beyond affordability. Early College students gain experience in real college classrooms while still in high school, guided by SCF’s dedicated faculty. They learn independence, time management, and critical thinking—skills that help them succeed in whatever path they choose next. By the time they cross the graduation stage, they have not only saved money but also built momentum that accelerates their future.

SCF offers several options to meet the needs of different students:

• Dual Enrollment: Public, private, and home school students may take individual courses while completing their high school studies.
• Early Admission: Seniors can spend their final year fully immersed in SCF courses, earning high school and college credits at the same time.
• Accelerated Dual Enrollment: Juniors from Sarasota and Manatee county public schools, as well as Lemon Bay High School, may attend SCF full-time and even complete an associate degree before graduating from high school.

Students who participate often describe the experience as transformative. Through Early College, students can graduate high school already holding two years of college credit, demonstrating the program’s goal of double the credits in half the time, with zero tuition required. Their stories demonstrate what’s possible when opportunity and ambition come together.

Elizabeth Wigeri Van Edema, dual enrollment student and SCF’s Spring 2025 Outstanding Graduate, shared, “Excellence is all we should expect from ourselves, and all others should expect from us. I am confident that everything I have gained from this college will continue to impact me far into the future.”

Braydon Bernard, an accelerated dual enrollment student graduating with his associate in arts degree and a 4.0 GPA, and SCF’s Spring 2024 Outstanding Graduate, reflected, “Starting college can be challenging and even intimidating, but at SCF I always found the support I needed to succeed. The opportunities and personal attention I received here helped me grow more independent, discover my love of chemistry, and pursue my dream of becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon.”

The impact of Early College at SCF reaches beyond individual achievement. These programs expand access, reduce barriers, and create pathways that strengthen both students and the broader community. With the application deadline for Spring 2026 on December 1, families have an opportunity to consider how Early College can help shape a brighter future.

For more information, visit SCF.edu/EarlyCollege.

Tommy Gregory, J.D., is President of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

Pictured: Elizabeth Wigeri Van Edema with President Gregory and Interim Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs, Dr. Rand at the SCF Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony. Provided photo.