LeTourneau University in Texas will give dozens of ninth graders interested in aviation "a very early jump on college coursework" next semester, KEDM reported.

The Christian university is partnering with Longview Independent School District (LISD) to lower the cost of a private college education for qualifying Longview High School students. Longview High School is one of 44 schools this spring to receive the Texas Education Agency designation as an Early College High School.

LETU and LISD have streamlined a pathway for students interested in aviation to work toward a bachelor of aviation management, with other programs also being discussed for the future.  

"Increasing the affordability for local students to attend LeTourneau University has been one of our goals," School President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford said in a statement.  "Depending on the academic program, a student could save as much as $50,000 in college-related expenses by participating in this Early College High School program."

Longview's incoming ninth grade students this fall will be able to attend college classes at LeTourneau University free of charge, as part of LISD's new Early College High School, which will provide the costs of their tuition, textbooks and transportation to the university campus.  The program will expand each year to include sophomore, junior and senior students.

Students start out slowly, taking 3 to 6 college hours their first year, then ramping up to 18 to 30 hours of college courses in their sophomore, junior and senior years.  All of the courses they will take will apply toward a degree, so the student won't waste time taking courses that they don't need.

"Students attending the Early College High School do not pay any tuition. So, we're talking all the way up to an associate's degree tuition-free for the student. That's one of the huge draws," Everett Brunson, dean of Longview's Early College High School, told KEDM Radio.

He expects nearly 90 high school students to enroll.

School officials at LeTourneau University said the initiative was made possible, indirectly, by House Bill 5, which requires that incoming 9th grade students select a vocational interest endorsement when they enter high school.