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The Hershey Company has donated $40,000 to the United Way of Crawford County to support high school students taking dual credit classes through Lincoln Trail College. The gift will help remove financial barriers for students and families by covering the cost of tuition for college-level classes taken while still in high school.
Dual credit courses allow students to earn college credit during high school, saving families thousands of dollars and helping students get a head start on their college education. The program also plays an important role in developing a college-going mindset and increasing access for first-generation college students.
“Hershey is a giving partner of the United Way of Crawford County and has a representative on the United Way Board of Directors,” said Hershey in a written statement. “United Way requested allocations have exceeded the giving budget for a couple of years, causing programs to not be fully funded. The Lincoln Trail College dual credit program is a program Hershey believes is of great value to our community. Area high school students, having the opportunity to take dual credit classes that will give them college credits while still in high school, provide them with a great head start upon graduation. United Way is proud of paying the full cost of these courses that would normally be charged so that every high school student in Crawford County who qualifies for these classes can take them. Hershey is proud to commit $40,000 to help the United Way with this funding. The Hershey Company is committed to addressing the needs of local communities where we live, work, and conduct business. The value of making a difference is ingrained in our history and our business practices.”
“Lincoln Trail is grateful to offer dual credit classes free of charge for Crawford County students through our partnership with the United Way, and this generous donation from Hershey will allow us to continue to do so in the future,” said Erin Volk, Director of Dual Credit at Lincoln Trail College. “We’ve developed our program thoughtfully with a focus on helping students start college successfully. With support like this, we’re able to reduce financial barriers that might otherwise prevent students from participating.”
The United Way of Crawford County has been committed to supporting local students by covering dual credit fees for years. Assistant Manager Barb Shimer said Hershey’s continued support plays a vital role in making college more accessible.
“United Way of Crawford County is very grateful for the continued support from Hershey,” said Shimer. “Helping every student who takes a dual credit class in Crawford County by paying for their fees is a way to encourage many young folks to get some college experience while still in high school. Many students would not be able to attend college without this help. It opens doors to so many who would otherwise not attend and provides many a chance to afford a college education.”
The impact of dual credit is significant across Crawford County. According to a recent study by Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, Robinson High School students saved more than $1.4 million in college expenses, with an average of 20.28 credit hours earned per student. At Hutsonville High School, students saved over $273,000, averaging 16.07 credit hours. Oblong High School students saved more than $213,000, and Palestine High School students saved nearly $195,000. In total, these programs have helped students and their families save more than $2 million in college costs while earning valuable college credit and experience before graduation.
“Students can explore careers within dual credit classes, and the experience can help them transition more easily from high school to college after graduation,” said Volk. “It’s a great option for students and families to consider.”
