How to cut college costs by up to 25%

re: How to cut college costs by up to 25%

xKat — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:04:44 GMT

My daughter's high school had a dual credit program with a local college - earning college credits for her HS courses. No extra classes at night or on the weekend or extra travel. For approx. $2,000 she earned 26 credits - most of which exempted her from basic courses - calculus, Spanish, history,etc - although some are simply elective credits. Her college did accept all of the credits but it didn't matter - the college offering the dual credit program also offered a money back guarantee - if the college the student attended wouldn't give full credit you got all of the money back. I figured it was worth losing the interest I could have earned to give her the extra credits. From what the teachers at the HS told us they have never had any college not accept the transfer credits. She also got a 5 in the AP English exam but I don't remember how many credits she got for that. I think overall it was a great investment for both of us.

re: How to cut college costs by up to 25%

johncleats727@terrion.net — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:25:09 GMT

College is a waste of time and money for most people. I cruise around in my BMW most days while young adultst with their college degree's work for me. If you want to make money, skip college and start a business. I started with two employee's and one repair truck in 1991 and today have four small companies in four markets. If I went to college, I would probably be paying-off student loans and working for slave wages. I suggest you look around and see where most college graduates work. Hey, you can always work for me by the hour! I can always use another plumber, electrican, or warehouse worker.

re: How to cut college costs by up to 25%

Tom — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:51:50 GMT

Can't wait. When I was in school I didn't spend my money on a laptop or fancy clothes or gourmet meals, but I DID spend it on an iPod and fast food. The quickest form of meal for a starving college student. Oh hey, if any college students are reading this. If you have been struggling with gas prices. Here's a cool promo. TWO FREE TACOS DAY!!! All you have to do is go to any Jack In The Box and present any gas fill-up receipt. That's it. Like magic, you'll get TWO FREE TACOS!!! Check it out here:

jackinthebox.com/.../index.php

I am sooooo making a day out of it with all the receipts I have lying around.

re: How to cut college costs by up to 25%

Lindsay — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:06:39 GMT

I was able to graduate from college an entire year early because of A.P. credits, and was also able to do my bachelors and masters in 4 years as a result. I'm now a teacher and it was crucial to save that money - without the credits, my student loans would have been twice as much!

re: How to cut college costs by up to 25%

IGNORANT REDNECK — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:54:53 GMT

Here's a better idea: Don't go to college, take the $80,000 and invest it. You'll end up with the same amount of money in the end.

A bachelor's degree is going to be worthless soon anyway. College won't help you unless you're going to be a scientist, engineer, doctor, lawyer, or psychologist.

re: How to cut college costs by up to 25%

Kait — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:45:49 GMT

I kind of did a mix of AP courses and Dual enrollment courses. My senior year I also took a class each semester in the evenings at the local community college, as well as a course through their online instruction program. Between all of this I accrued over fifty college credits. I got a full ride scholarship to my first choice university, and am participating in the summer transition program which I also got a scholarship for. The program will give me another six credits. So my advice is to explore all opportunities! Without all of this my family could not afford to send me to college, and now I'll be able to get my masters degree within four years, which is exactly how long my scholarship is good for :) College for cheap IS possible if you work hard enough in high school!!!

re: How to cut college costs by up to 25%

Brian — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:31:54 GMT

As a student who as earned 20 credits from the AP program, I can tell you that APs are not worth the time or effort. In my college program only 2 of those credits actually counts towards my degree while the other 18 credits just counts as other electives. So basically I worked hard in APs and still need four years to graduate. APs are alot of work compared to the community college taught high school classes. More importantly, most colleges are more likely to accept the community college programs, unlike APs. If you are a student spend your time at community college or in regular classes, AP take too much time and effort for the little benefit they give, and they are unlike the real college classes you will be taking-- honestly I've never heard of a college class having DBQs.

re: How to cut college costs by up to 25%

Max's mom — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:23:31 GMT

As the holder of two undergrad degrees 12 yrs apart I will tell you that the first time I didn't get high enough grades to place out of classes. That was a bummer- but the second time I only had to take the classes needed for my degree of study and then spent the extra (free) time getting a minor in Russian Language. Many fellow students took classes during their senior year in high school at a local community college, knowing that all credits would transfer to any school within the state (CO). Check into school consortiums in your state (SUNY in New York for example) and see what their 'non-traditional' student requirements are. You never know; a summer internship at a local business or camp could very well place you OUT of those pesky 'All University' credits that can trip up the best laid plans for graduating on-time (let alone early).

re: How to cut college costs by up to 25%

Laurie from Idaho — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:46:39 GMT

You can also take AP courses and dual credit courses via digital learning online. Check with your school counselor. Our rural state has many courses available for public, private or home school students.

re: How to cut college costs by up to 25%

Georgia Mom — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:02:41 GMT

As a parent and a teacher I can tell you that so much of what has been said is correct - what you take= know were you are going and if they take the credits at a what allowance for credit.... While I had to convince my daughter that it was worth it to take the more intense classes in high school a hidden benefit she found was that it taught her to study and plan --the first DBQ's were horrid but by exam time she had then down flat....again watch your college - how they accept and - enjoy - since my child started taking the classes joint enrollment has become available and cheap --- don't necessary rush thru college - just to get out try some electives - our's did it in three years, but with a late summer birthday was very young entering the job market and decided to do a post grad intership -- the comment about staying on your parent's insurace is impt too -- because it was post grad and not full time - I had to find supplemental insurance... again though - I do champion the AP process for many reason...