The Merrimack College Early College Program (ECP) allows high-achieving Lawrence High School students to enroll in college-level courses on campus at no charge to them or their families. Participants reduce the time and expense associated with earning a college degree. With the help of a grant from the state of Massachusetts and the Cummings Foundation, this program builds upon the College’s commitment to the future of young people.
Lawrence High School students enrolled in Early College have a 100% high school graduation rate.
99% of 2023 Early College graduates are enrolled in college at least half-time. 93% are enrolled at a four-year college, up from 76% in 2021.
Since its launch in 2017, more than 400 Lawrence High School students have participated in the Early College Program.
The program is geared towards high-achieving students from:
Early College Program students:
Students who complete the program are also eligible to become Pioneer Scholars, which gives them a full scholarship to Merrimack College.
Merrimack College was one of the founding institutions that received the initial Massachusetts Early College Designation in 2017. It was the first private institution in the Commonwealth to receive the designation. This program builds upon the College’s commitment to the future of young people, especially those from traditionally underrepresented communities.
The College has set several funding goals to ensure the continuation of this innovative program. With your gift, you can help transform the lives of Early College Program students through education.
Your contribution to the Early College Program doesn’t just impact the lives of the students in our program. Your support also makes an immense impact on the Lawrence community. Early College Program students are a point of inspiration to their families, peers, and city and often inspire family members to advance their own education.
As Merrimack College expands its commitment to research, the Early College Program also works to increase the number of research opportunities available to students during summer sessions.
Early College students will:
Zahra Ahmadi M’25 hopes to help and support refugees in the United States as a professional social worker.
