July 2026 Basecamp Newsletter
Welcome to Basecamp, the monthly newsletter from P1FCU! Each month, we'll bring you free tips and strategies to improve your financial well-being, plus some insight into all the resources you have access to as a P1FCU member. Welcome! Become a subscriber below.
College can be one of the biggest investments a family makes, and managing college finances can be stressful. But what if students could begin earning college credits before graduating high school, often at little to no cost? Through Idaho’s dual credit program, students can get a head start on their education while potentially saving thousands of dollars on future college expenses.
In this episode of Making Sense of Money, we sat down with Ashley James from the Early College Programs at LC State College in Lewiston, Idaho. She shares how students can earn college credit while still in high school, and how much of the tuition for dual credits is covered by the state’s Advanced Opportunities program.
What is Dual Credit?
Dual credit is a program that allows high school students to take college-level classes and earn both high school and college credits at the same time. These credits can count toward high school graduation requirements and toward a college certificate or degree.
“We want those credits to be working toward something, whether that’s a certificate, a career, or a degree,” Ashley shares.
Many families don’t realize just how many college courses are available through these programs. Eligible students may have access to an entire college catalog, giving them the opportunity to begin earning credits early. While getting ahead academically is a major benefit, one of the biggest advantages is the potential to significantly reduce future college costs.
A Smart Way to Save on College Costs
Many may assume taking college courses in high school comes with extra expenses. However, Idaho’s Advanced Opportunities program helps make these courses much more affordable.
Ashley shares how the state of Idaho sets aside $4,625 per public school student. This can be used for dual credit expenses. Through LC State, dual credit tuition is $75 per credit, which is typically covered by the Advanced Opportunities program. The only thing families may need to purchase are textbooks or pay small course-related fees, depending on the class. So even if a student only takes one class, they are still saving a significant amount of money.
Want to keep reading about dual credit and how to take advantage of the opportunity? Click below to continue.
How Idaho Dual Credit Saves on College Costs
Meet Hodgen Electric
There are some memberships that were just meant to be. Our Walla Walla team got to know the Hodgen Family almost too well. Want to know more about Hodgen Electric and their relationship with P1FCU? Click below
Financial terms can be confusing
Have you seen our Financial Translator around the Northwest? She’s on a mission to make financial terms easier to understand. Curious about a term you’ve heard but never quite understood? Click below for help making finances simpler.
Law Enforcement Imposter Scams: How to Stay Safe
You may have heard of common phishing scams, romance scams, or cryptocurrency scams. But one that fraudsters are becoming more creative with and is starting to become more popular is the Law Enforcement scam.
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This is for educational purposes only and not financial advice.