Mar 2, 2026
Administration Building outside photo
The College of the Mainland Doyle Family Administration Building.

The College of the Mainland (COM) Board of Trustees has approved the elimination of the $2,700 one-time Collegiate High School (CHS) program fee for students who qualify under the state’s Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program, effective fall 2026. In addition, COM will establish a financial assistance program to reduce or fully cover the fee for CHS students who do not qualify for FAST but demonstrate financial need.

The action strengthens COM’s Dual Credit Advantage initiative, which includes two pathways for high school students. Through traditional dual credit, students enroll in college-level courses offered at their high school, at COM, or online. Through CHS, students attend classes on COM’s campus and complete structured coursework designed to help them earn substantial college credit alongside their high school diploma. Many CHS students graduate with an associate degree before earning a high school diploma, significantly reducing the time and cost required to complete a bachelor’s degree or enter the workforce with a credential.

Through ongoing conversations with our partnering districts, the college has learned that current financial challenges are limiting their ability to continue covering the annual program fee. Several districts within COM’s taxing district have indicated that maintaining this cost is no longer financially viable and that the fee would need to be passed on to families beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. COM developed this revised funding model to ensure that students in those districts and across the region can continue participating in early college opportunities without new financial barriers.

“At College of the Mainland, making education accessible to every student is our responsibility,” said COM President Dr. Helen Brewer. “When state funding allows us to reinvest directly back into our students, we do. Removing this fee protects opportunity for families and strengthens the long-term economic future of our region.”

This adjustment to the CHS fee structure builds on other recent actions taken to lower the overall cost of attendance. COM adopted a consolidated flat tuition model to provide predictability for families and has significantly expanded the use of Open Educational Resources, making many textbooks and course materials available digitally at no cost. According to the College Board’s Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2023, students at public two-year institutions spend an average of approximately $1,460 annually on books and supplies. By reducing or eliminating these expenses, COM continues to remove financial barriers that often prevent students from enrolling or persisting.

The fee waiver for FAST-eligible CHS students and the new financial assistance program will take effect in fall 2026. Additional implementation details will be shared with families and partner school districts in the coming weeks.

For more information about COM’s Dual Credit Advantage, email dualcredit@com.edu or submit an interest form to connect with a dual credit professional.