Photo of smiling college students

Early College

Early College is a program for high school students within the Grand Traverse region and Wexford-Missaukee ISD to earn college credits and up to an associates degree by completing course work at their home high schools, at Northwest Ed Services (formerly TBAISD), or WMISD Career-Tech Centers, and on Northwestern Michigan College's campus. Participating students and parents will recognize significant tuition cost savings and be on a faster track to obtaining a college degree. Course tuition is funded through Michigan school aid funds.

Early College Programs

  • Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS)
    • Learn more about the TCAPS Early College Program
      • Application Steps
        1. Meet with your high school counselor
        2. Submit an online application form at nmc.edu/apply-now
          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 NMC
        4. Submit a two paragraph essay to NMC on why you want to enroll in the Early College Program
        5. Submit your Enrollment Authorization Form to request classes you may want to take.
    • For more information on the TCAPS Early College Program please contact Jason Smith at jasmith@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1082.
  • Wexford-Missaukee Early College (WM-CTC)
    • Learn more about the WM-CTC Early College Program
    • Earn a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree with NMC in Engineering Technology, with a concentration in: Computers, Electronics or Robotics & Automation
      • Application Steps
        1. Complete the WM-CTC Student Application
        2. Submit an online application form at nmc.edu/apply-now
          1. Select "High School Early College" as your student type
        3. Request an official transcript from your high school to be sent directly to NMC
          • * 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 WM-CTC Early College Coordinator, Meghan Howell ( mhowell@wmisd.org)*
        4. Submit your Enrollment Authorization Form to request classes you may want to take.
    • For more information on the WM-CTC Early College Program please contact Kevin D'Alessandro at kdalessandro@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1089.

Simply Put, Early College is:

  • Public, tuition-free
  • An extended high school program including a 13th year
  • Integrated with high school courses
  • Includes college campus experience
  • Degree and career-focused

Benefits of Early College

  • Tuition cost savings
  • Career fast track
  • High-value/low cost
  • Accelerated learning
  • Reduced time in college
  • Blended learning

RETURNING EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS