BERRIEN COUNTY — Berrien County students have the opportunity to get a head start on college by earning an associate degree or certificate for free while still in high school through the Berrien County Fifth Year Early/Middle College program.  Tuition, books and fees are provided at no cost to students and families.

Berrien Regional Education Service Agency, Lake Michigan College and Southwestern Michigan College will be host an information session about the program at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 at the Berrien RESA Administrative Conference Center, Rooms B,C and D 711 St. Joseph Ave., Berrien Springs.

The information session is free and open to ninth and 10th grade students and their parents/guardians, high school counselors, teachers and school administrators.

Through the Berrien County Fifth Year Early/Middle College program, students will take college classes along with their regularly scheduled high school course work or Berrien County PA 56 shared-time programs during their 11th and 12th grade years. In year 13 (or the “fifth” year of high school) the student attends college full time.  At the end of the fifth year, students who have successfully completed all requirements will receive a diploma from their high school and will have earned significant college credits, a career certificate, an associate degree or a MEMCA Certificate from Lake Michigan College or Southwestern Michigan College.

For more information students and parents are advised to call their high school counselor or Melissa Springsteen, Berrien County Fifth Year Early/Middle College consultant, at (269) 471-7725 ext. 1304. Visit berrienresa.org/emc for more information.