Smart Scholars
What is Smart Scholars?
The Smart Scholars program lets students at Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central (ITC) take part-time college classes on OCC's campus while earning their high school diploma. Funded by a grant through the New York State Education Department in conjunction with the Syracuse City School District and Onondaga Community College (OCC), this program lets students take classes free of charge with the cost of their textbooks covered as well.
If you're enrolled in the program, you're expected to attend classes regularly, display maturity and responsibility, and complete your work just like every other OCC student. You'll also have the opportunity to fulfill elective and general education requirements early, which increases your chances of graduating early.
Some other details about the program:
- High school seniors are eligible.
- To be considered, students will complete the Smart Scholars Application and provide a one-page essay during their junior year. (Speak with your high school's counselor to learn more about the program and how to get a copy of the application.)
- Once enrolled, students will take approximately 12 credit hours of classes throughout their senior year.