Holyoke’s high school students are getting an offer that may be difficult to refuse. Holyoke Community College has received grant money to start an early college program.

Students attending any of the city’s high schools or academies will be able to take those college courses at their high schools or on the HCC campus that begin in the fall.

“Students and their families right off the bat are saving $4,000 to $5,000 in tuition and fees,” HCC Dean Renee Tastad explained.

Dean Tasted said that once those students earn their associate’s degree at HCC and move on to a four-year college for their ma bachelor’s degree, they can save more than $30,000 in educational costs.