State scraps tuition bill for dual-enrolled

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Helena Gryder, a Broadneck High School senior who takes classes here, said the changes are “really exciting.”

“It’s really good to prepare you for what four-year college is going to be like,” Gryder said. “I do see [AACC] having more high school students. And I think that’s a good thing.”

Ike Jones, an Arundel High School senior, agreed.

“It opens up more options to kids who, like, might not have the money to pay for college tuition,” Jones said. “I think … having more people around will kind of help jump-start new ideas and … get more things moving.”

Dual-enrolled homeschooled student Aidan Gunn said his experience with AACC has been “incredibly positive,” but he said he is “frustrated” homeschooled students are not included in the free tuition plan.

“Hopefully, they can kind of bridge the gap there a little bit and offer free tuition to homeschooled students as well,” Gunn, a high school senior, said. “[But] I think that offering free [community college] tuition to high school students in general is a huge step.”

Grabowski said he hopes the program will make AACC “an option” for students who can’t afford to pay tuition.

“[I want] to make sure that everyone in society, regardless of their background, ethnicity, race, gender, all have equal opportunity to successfully engage in post-secondary education,” Grabowski said.

Gunn said he has enjoyed being a dual-enrolled student.

“I think the best part about being a dual-enrollment student is that not only does it give me a taste of the college experience … it also helps my [college] application process,” Gunn said.

“That’s going to help me get into four-year schools. So it’s giving me the expe-

Helena rience, but it’s also making me a better candidate for my future.”

Grabowski said offering free tuition to dual-enrolled high school students will increase their numbers at the college.