NHA's Early College Program Offers Free Associate Degrees Worth $67,000
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is offering students an opportunity to earn associate degrees for free through its Early College program. Partnering with Davenport University, high schoolers at Grand River Preparatory High School can complete college credits and even full two-year degrees without tuition costs. The estimated value of these programs exceeds $67,000 per student based on current university rates. The initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce the financial burden associated with higher education in the U.S., where federal student loan debt has reached nearly $1.7 trillion among 44.6 million borrowers. By allowing students to begin their college careers while still in high school, NHA aims to make post-secondary education more accessible and affordable. During the 2024-25 academic year alone, over 500 NHA students earned nearly 5,200 college credits through Early College programs at nine schools. This has saved an estimated $1.12 million in tuition costs across these institutions.
