Step Up To College
Questions? Contact Us.
Step Up to College
Maria Orozco
Building 52 Room 103
Grandview Campus
morozco@yvcc.edu
509-882-7040
Nina Stewart
Ellensburg
nstewart@yvcc.edu
509-834-4535
Step Up To College
The Step Up To College (SUTC) program (WAC 392-700) allows students ages 16-20 from Grandview, Mabton, Kittitas, Stevenson-Carson and Ellensburg school districts to earn a high school diploma or GED.
For individuals living within the Grandview, Mabton, Kittitas, Stevenson-Carson and Ellensburg school district boundaries who:
- will not graduate from high school on time because they have not earned enough high school credits,
- will turn 21 years of age before they graduate from high school, or
- are former high school students, under the age of 21, who did not graduate and are now trying to earn a high school diploma.
Program Information
How it works
Students admitted in the Step Up To College (SUTC) program can enroll in courses at a YVC Campus or Learning Center which will help them earn a high school diploma. These courses can include Adult Basic Education and college-level prerequisites (i.e., SUTC Algebra 1A can act as a prerequisite for college-level math, such as YVC Math 95). The specific courses a student enrolls in will depend upon the student’s educational goals, the credits the student needs to complete a high school diploma, and the student’s placement scores.
The SUTC program recognizes high school credit students have already learned. Students earn additional high school credit when they demonstrate competency in a subject. Competency can be demonstrated by passing a class, earning a certain score on a placement exam, or showing documented evidence that the student has already gained the knowledge needed to meet course outcomes through training and/or work experience.
Student Responsibility
For students to be successful in the Step Up To College program they need to attend classes daily, complete class assignments and study daily. The SUTC program is designed to prepare students to enter college. Students are expected to check in weekly with a case manager and will need to show an Indicator of Academic Progress (IAP) every three months.
Graduation Requirements
Until students are 21 years of age, they still must meet the high school graduation requirements for their graduating class. This includes passing the applicable Washington State graduation exams and completing a High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP).
If students turn 21 before finishing their high school diploma, they will automatically transition into the YVC High School Plus Program (HS21+) adult high school diploma program and must meet the applicable graduation requirements for their age in the YVC HS21+ program. They will not have to pass the applicable Washington State graduation exams or complete a High School and Beyond Plan.
Program Cost
Students under 21 years of age are not required to pay any tuition costs. Students who turn 21 without earning their high school diploma will automatically move into the YVC HS21+ program and will need to pay Adult Basic Skills tuition, which is $25 per quarter.
Eligibility
The Step Up To College program allows students ages 16-20 from Grandview, Mabton, Kittitas, Stevenson-Carson and Ellensburg school districts to earn a high school diploma or GED. Please bring to YVC all high school transcripts from schools you previously attended.
How to Sign Up
Enrollment in the Step Up To College program is ongoing, students can start at any time.
There is no cost to eligible students under 21 years of age.
Step 1
If you are interested in enrolling in the Step Up To College program, please ask your school’s graduation specialist to submit a referral form and please complete the SUTC Admission Form for the academic year you are entering.
Please note, returning students will need to complete the SUTC Admission Form every academic year.
Step 2
After receiving the referral form, students can begin completing the enrollment paperwork. Submit completed paperwork to the corresponding office at Yakima Valley College Campus or Learning Center.
Students will then be registered for a 4-day orientation (Student Success Class).
Step 3
Once admitted into the SUTC program, students need to take a YVC entrance assessment (i.e., CASAS Testing). Schedule your assessment in Grandview at 509.882.7071 or in Ellensburg at 509.201.1269.
Step 4
Students will then schedule a meeting with a YVC case manager and advisor to register in classes for the quarter.
Campus Locations and Learning Centers