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If you're a high school student looking forward to college, you may want to consider a fast track option. Lucky students can now take college courses while still in high school, leading to a faster college graduation, and some discount in crazy class fees.

"College is expensive. It's ridiculous," she said. "And tuition is going up, so you should take the free stuff while you can still get it."

Fast-Track students complete the credits necessary for high school graduation and then have the option to enroll in Mesa State College as a full-time or part-time student. Students must have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher and meet additional requirements on the ACT or SAT and have grades higher than a B in their planned area of study.

Grades can't slip after students get into college, either.

"If you don't make C's or higher, you have to pay the school district back" for those credits, she said.

Nelson said if students are interested in the program, they should start thinking about it in their junior year to make sure they are taking the necessary college-preparatory English and math classes.

I have taught numerous high school students in my classes who are enrolled in a program like this. It's a good deal; go for it.

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