The Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) Foundation is launching a fundraiser to support the college’s increasingly popular Dual Enrollment program and to provide more local high school students with access to college courses. 

The Dual Enrollment program at Northeast allows high school students to take college classes for credit while still in high school. Students gain valuable experience while earning both high school and college credit for each course. The program provides a great opportunity for those students to explore career pathways, experience high-level coursework, and develop skills to prepare them for the workforce.

“This is a program that is popular and beneficial to everyone involved,” stated NACC President Dr. David Campell. “First and foremost, it helps students get an introduction to college and earn high school and college credits at the same time.  We have more than 1,500 students enrolled in dual enrollment for Fall 2026. Nearly fifty students had enough credits to graduate from their high school and Northeast at the same time this past spring!”

Dual enrollment students can take courses at their high schools, online, at a technical school, or on NACC’s campus. Students also have access to NACC’s student services, including tutoring, advising, college and career planning, and campus events.

“Northeast provides the actual cost of the courses for high school students and not the high schools,” Campbell said.  “We are anticipating a five-million-dollar demand for this tuition this coming year, but NACC only received 3.4 million in funding from the state and there is a limit to what we can provide through our own scholarships. One can see how great the demand is for this wonderful program!”

Heather Smith, NACC Development Director, also noted that parents of these dual enrollment students benefit financially from NACC’s program, since Northeast tuition is half the cost of that at four-year institutions across the state. Parents of NACC dual enrollment students also benefit from the students taking courses at their respective high schools, saving on the cost of room and board. “We are conducting this fundraiser because dual enrollment is so beneficial to students,” said Smith, “and the state scholarships we receive do not meet the numbers demand that we have for dual enrollment.”

A three-hour credit course at NACC costs $584. The Foundation’s fundraising campaign provides community members with an opportunity to directly support students through Dual Enrollment, with a gift of approximately $600 able to support one student through a Dual Enrollment course. Gifts of any amount can make a difference in helping NACC continue to provide accessible, high-quality educational opportunities throughout its service area.

“We ask you to help our community and our students by donating for dual enrollment,” Campbell added. “Any amount will be appreciated! Supporting a student through a scholarship donation is also helping the community, as so many of these dual enrollment students are in career tech fields like welding, machining, maintenance, or building construction. They will keep our local economy rolling!”  

Donations to the NACC Foundation are tax-deductible. To support NACC’s Dual Enrollment program, visit the donation website, mail a check to: NACC Foundation, PO Box 159, Rainsville, AL 35986, or call 256.638.4418 ext. 2391.