This article reviews history, models, and benefits of credit-based transition programs between high schools and institutions of higher education. The goal of these programs is to enable high school students to take college courses and earn college credit while still in high school, thereby easing the transition to college through a variety of strategies and activities including rigorous academic instruction, counseling and mentoring, and college preparation and application assistance. A primary purpose of credit-based transition programs is to increase the numbers of students that graduate from high school and go on to college, a result that is cost effective for all stakeholders.