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Early College

NMC’s Early College program allows high school students to earn college credits while completing their high school diploma, helping them save money and graduate from college faster.

Earn an associate degree just one year after high school, at no cost to you or your family!

Local school districts pay the tuition for Early College students, who start taking college classes in high school. Choose your home school district or Intermediate School District below to find out more.


Early College benefits:

  • Tuition-free to students
  • Integrated with high school courses
  • Includes college campus experience
  • Degree and career-focused
  • A head start on a college degree

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See how Early College and Dual Enrollment compare to taking AP courses here.


Early College is offered through:

  • Northwest Education Services (formerly TBAISD)

    • Earn an NMC Certificate or two-year Associate in Applied Science degree in one of the following designated .
    • Application Steps
      1. If you are interested in options for earning college credit in high school, please email Ashley Darga at adarga@northwested.org or speak to your high school counselor.
      2. Submit an online application form to NMC at .
        • Select "High School Early College" as your student type
      3. Request an official transcript from your high school be sent directly to NMC.
      4. Send a copy of your Letter of Recommendation to adarga@northwested.org.
      5. Complete the NMC math placement test, Accuplacer, through the Testing Center.
        • * Final approval into the Early College program, and to determine available space in an Early College pathway, is contingent upon your high school and the North Ed Early College Coordinator, Ashley Darga ( adarga@northwested.org)*
      6. Submit your to request classes you may want to take.
    • For more information, please contact Beth Weaver at bweaver@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1089.
  • Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS)

    • Application Steps
      1. Meet with your high school counselor
      2. Apply to NMC: .
        1. Select "High School Early College" as your student type
        2. Your program of study should be "Liberal Arts & Science, ASA"
      3. Request an official transcript from your high school to be sent directly to 91重口
      4. Submit a two paragraph essay to NMC on why you want to enroll in the Early College Program
      5. Submit your to request classes you may want to take.
    • For more information on the TCAPS Early College Program please contact:
      • Traverse City Central High School – Rorie Kawula at rkawula@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1022
      • Traverse City West Senior High School – Beth Weaver at bweaver@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1089
  • Wexford-Missaukee Early College (WM-CTC)

  • Greenspire High School

    • For more information, please contact Rorie Kawula at rkawula@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1022, or .

Find information on Dual Enrollment here

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Early College student Ayla Wildfong

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“My mom has been talking to me about it since I was in sixth grade. But I’m glad she persuaded me to do this, because I enjoy it a lot.”

Ayla Wildfong
NMC Early College student who hopes to transfer to MSU for a business degree


Returning Early College students

  • Meet with your advisor.
  • Submit a new for course approval.