WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University’s new Fast Start program will help future students begin their college careers while saving money on tuition, a university admissions official said.

Fast Start is a partnership between the university and Modern States, an online learning program. Fast Start gives students the opportunity to take free online classes through Modern States. Textbooks are included. Once students complete the coursework, Modern States will provide vouchers to allow them to take the corresponding, credit-bearing College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams at no charge.

Students who pass five exams and meet Purdue’s standard admissions requirements are assured admission to a Purdue system, said A.J. Frigo, Purdue’s senior assistant director – Indiana relations – for undergraduate admissions.

While the program is open to all Indiana residents, “it’s most important to try to help rural, low income and under-resourced areas,” he explained. “It’s for students who might not otherwise have this opportunity.”

Data shows students graduating from rural high schools often don’t continue to college, Frigo said.

“There’s no college-going culture in small and rural areas,” he noted. Cost is often a factor for students in rural communities, he noted. High schools may not have enough qualified teachers for instruction in advanced placement classes, he added.

Modern States offers online courses in a variety of subjects, including sciences, math, literature and composition, foreign languages and history. Classes are designed to last four weeks. Passage of five CLEP exams is the equivalent of one semester at Purdue and could save students and parents nearly $11,000. Passage of 10 CLEP exams is the equivalent of a full year and could save more than $21,000. The first group of students will be enrolled at Purdue beginning fall semester 2021.

Purdue recommends students take classes unavailable to them in their high schools, Frigo said. The university is targeting students just starting their junior years of high school, but the program is also open to middle school students and adult learners. Up to 10,000 CLEP vouchers are available.

Purdue’s extension offices are helping to spread the word about the program, said James Wolff, Allen County extension director and agriculture and natural resources educator.

“We are just trying to get the idea out to people so they can see that it’s a thing and they can look into it,” he said. “The program will help connect more people to opportunities at Purdue. People who live close to the university or who live in bigger cities seem to have more opportunities but this program really can be utilized by anyone across the state. It takes the geographic barriers out of the picture.”

Students admitted to Purdue under the program will be known as Klinsky Scholars.

“Modern States and my family are pleased to partner with Purdue to make college more attainable for students throughout Indiana,” said Steve Klinsky, CEO and founder of Modern States. “Purdue has long been a leader in innovations to help students and we hope this effort will both help families throughout the state and create a model for many other universities nationwide.”

For more information, visit www.purdue.university/faststart.