Advice from Vice President Biden on affording college includes studying hard to win scholarships

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden addressed Fletcher High School students on December 8, 2011, speaking mainly about the importance of education beyond high school to be prepared for 21st century careers, and about making college affordable for the masses.

There are steps parents and students can take to make the road to college, and through it, easier. An early focus on education is one of the best gifts parents can give their children and it can pay off in big ways for everyone—children, parents, teachers, employers and the community. Vice President Biden’s suggestion of working hard in school to gain scholarships is one that is best encouraged early, beginning even before a child enters kindergarten. A strong educational foundation can start as easily as making time to read with young children and encouraging early literacy.

By the time a student reaches high school, if they have a strong academic record they may qualify to enroll in DUAL ENROLLMENT programs. Dual Enrollment enables students to gain college credit for courses while they are still in high school. Florida State College at Jacksonville partners with Duval County Public Schools in offering Early College High School through select high schools. ECHS is an aggressive Dual Enrollment program, through which, when completed successfully, students are able to attain their associate in arts degrees (the first two years of coursework in a bachelor of arts degree) at the same time they achieve their high-school diplomas. This is provided at no cost to the students and books are included. Recent ECHS graduates from Ribault High School saved about $9,000 over what it would have cost (each) if they had gone the traditional route and not taken advantage of the Dual Enrollment option. You can learn about their experience here and see how their hard work yielded them scholarships for their junior and senior college years. Note: the video highlights four young women, but ECHS isn't just for females. Guys who make the grade can get a two-year jump on their college studies, save thousands of dollars, and get into their careers without a bundle of college debt on their backs!