Advanced Opportunities Overview
Advanced Opportunities is a program developed by the State Department of Education to provide aid for students to accelerate though their K-12 education and provide support to earn college credit in high school.
Fast Forward
Many of you have already heard about the Advanced Opportunities programs funded through the state of Idaho. These programs were previously known as 8 in 6, Dual Credit for Early Completers, MAP and Fast Forward. Starting July 1, 2016, the Advanced Opportunities programs changed and became one program called Fast Forward. With this new consolidation, all Idaho public school students in grades 7-12 will have access to $4,125 to use toward Advanced Opportunities. The funds can be used for:
Overload Courses
An overload course is a high school level course that is taken in excess of the student’s regular school day. So, a student would need to take at least seven courses in order to be considered overloading. Overload courses must be above and beyond the full course load offered by Inspire; these courses are most often taken with IDLA (a supplemental online program in Idaho) during the school year and/or summer time. The Fast Forward program can pay up to $225.00 for the cost of the course.
Dual Credit
Dual credit are courses taken by high school students that are transcribed on their high school and college transcripts. The Fast Forward program can pay for up to $75.00 per credit. Dual Credit courses can be taken from IDLA (a supplemental online program in Idaho), or students can take classes directly via the college - either on campus or online.
Exams
Students can utilize Fast Forward funds to pay for a variety of college-credit bearing or professional technical exams. AP exams are included in this.
Workforce Training
Students can utilize Advanced Opportunities funds to pay for regionally approved workforce training courses at colleges in their area. An approved list of courses are available on the Advanced Opportunities website (also here).
Early Graduation Scholarship
Early Graduation Scholarships are available for students who graduate at least one full year early. These scholarships are equal to 35% of the Average Daily Attendance (ADA) for a given school year. This equates to roughly $1,800.00. Scholarships can be used at Idaho public post-secondary institutions. The awarded amount will double for students who graduate two years early and will triple for students who graduate three years early. If a student elects not to attend a college or university immediately after high school, they will have up to 28 months to utilize the scholarship before it expires. For more information, please click here.
Learn how to get started here!