Jump Start offers incoming YSU freshmen head start at discounted rate

By Denise Dick

denise_dick@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Incoming Youngstown State University freshmen can get an early start — and a discount — on their education through a program beginning this summer.

YSU Jump Start allows students who will be first-time freshmen this fall to take up to two three-credit courses this summer at a discounted rate.

“The initiative was created as a way to help students get a head start and reduce the amount of debt they have upon graduation and [to] get out sooner,” said Sharon Schroeder, assistant director of YSU’s Metro Credit Education Outreach.

The cost for one three-credit class will be $500 — less than half the regular $1,011 one-course tuition. Nonresident surcharges will apply for out-of-state students.

The fee structure must be approved by the Ohio Board of Regents. YSU trustees approved the program earlier this month.

There isn’t a limit on the number of students who can enroll in the program beyond the limits on class sections. Schroeder said university officials expect about 100 students.

“It’s all student-driven,” she said. “We’ll put the information out there to see how many students have an interest in taking classes over the summer.”

Jump Start students will have access to the same campus resources available during any other semester.

Seven courses will be available for Jump Start. Three are developmental courses: a writing course, a math course and a reading and study-skills class for students who may not be ready for college work in one or more areas.

The other four, Survey of Math, Communication Foundations, Writing 1 and General Psychology, are general-education courses that students across most majors must take.

“We tried to pick classes that, for the most part, students can take to get them ahead,” Schroeder said.

For students who need help in certain subject areas, they can take those developmental courses during the summer and begin the fall semester taking regular college-level courses.

“It helps make sure they’re staying on track,” she said.

YSU offered a summer program to last year’s incoming freshmen who needed developmental courses. Those courses, however, weren’t for credit.

“This is all credit-bearing,” Schroeder said. “It’s applied appropriately to graduation requirements.”

The classes will be offered from June 15 through Aug. 7.