Fast Forward ahead

The Idaho State Department of Education is rolling out a program to help public high school students pay for college-level courses, college credit exams, and professional-technical certification exams.

The program, called Fast Forward, will cover 75 percent of the costs and will be in place for the 2014-2015 academic year.

Students would apply at their individual schools. The schools would pay the costs and be reimbursed by the State Department of Education. The funding for the statewide program was approved by the Idaho Legislature during the 2014 legislative session, and the Department of Education estimates the program costs at $3 million for this first year. The funds are earmarked within the department's budget, a spokesman said.

The program provides every public high school or charter school junior up to $200, and up to $400 for seniors. Twenty-five percent of the costs for the respective exams or courses remain the responsibility of the family.

Mark Browning, Vice President for Community and Government Relations at North Idaho College, said that the number of dual-credit and technical education students at NIC has been growing in recent years.

"Any and all opportunities for students to get exposure to college-level coursework before enrolling is helpful," Browning said. "Anything that will help open access to students across the socio-economic spectrum is a good thing."

An information session at North Idaho College on July 30 will be held at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Building. Information is also available at fastforwardidaho.com