Get Going, Faster
The term “advanced opportunities” refers to additional classes/exams students can choose to take in grades 7-12 to earn extra credits that might be used to help you graduate early, earn college credits, or train for a career while still in high school. The Fast Forward program provides every student attending an Idaho public school an allocation of $4,125 to use towards exams or courses that advance a student’s education in grades 7-12. You can use the funds to help pay for:
- Overload Courses
An overload course is a high school level course that is taken in addition to a regular school day. These may be offered online, during the summertime, or before/after school. If there’s a cost, the Advanced Opportunities program can pay up to $225 for the cost of the course. Overload courses must be above and beyond 12 credits in a school year. - Dual Credits
Dual credit courses are those that help you earn both high school and college credits for the same class. Dual Credit courses can be taken online, by virtual conferencing, or in some cases, students go directly to the college/university campus. This includes Career & Technical Education (CTE) classes. The program can pay for up to $75 per credit. - Exams
Funds can be used to pay for a variety of college-credit bearing or career-technical exams. These include Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or Career & Technical Education (CTE) exams. - Workforce Training
The program can pay up to $500 per approved course. An approved list of courses is available on the Advanced Opportunities website.
Tips for Pursuing Advanced Opportunities
If you are interested in pursuing Advanced Opportunities, you may be overwhelmed with the application process and college-level lingo. Here are some helpful tips to set you up for success:
- Meet with your school guidance counselor
By meeting with your counselor or college and career advisor, you can learn more about course options available at your high school campus, college campus, or online. - Reach out to colleges/universities
Idaho institutions have staff available to help you plan for the transition between high school and college. Reach out to the dual credit offices across the state to learn about the options available for high school students. Do not feel limited to just your local institutions. Many colleges/universities have both online and satellite campuses.