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There are a number of ways that you can reduce the amount of money that you will have to pay for college without finding supplemental funding.
Some employers participate in programs where you work full-time for them and they pay part or all of the cost for you to attend college. They may fund one or two classes a semester, provide leave and funding for summer courses, or pay for distance learning courses. Often, these programs involve job-related education like technical certifications, MBAs, education degrees, and required continuing education credits. Employers who are likely to offer this type of benefit are colleges (though you'll be required to attend that college), libraries, governments, health care providers, and technology firms. Getting a Head Start on College The more credits that you can get before you start college, the better off you will be. There are a number of sources for cheap college credits. One of the most popular sources is exams. Many colleges grant credit for exams like the SAT IIs, Advanced Placements, and College Level Examination Program. Others have proficiency exams that allow you to earn credit for prior knowledge. Some colleges also offer credit for prior learning through programs where you demonstrate the educational value of past work, life, travel, or other experiences. An example of this type of program can be found at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (http://www.uwgb.edu/assessment/Credit_fo... Students there looking for credit are required to submit a portfolio about their experiences. This portfolio includes a narrative similar to a term paper describing the experience and what education was gained from it and supporting documentation like certificates of completion, transcripts, and letters from supervisors. As long as the student demonstrates knowledge that is similar to a course offered at the University of Wisconsin, credits may be granted for as little as $10 a credit. Applying Cheap Credits to Your Degree Many students make college cheaper by paying very little for certain parts of their degree. For example, community or city colleges often offer very inexpensive (or sometimes free for residents) tuition. Students may study for one or two years at a less expensive institution and then transfer to a more expensive one. It is possible that you may lose some credits during the transfer process, so check the policies of your new school before you decide to transfer. Many inexpensive two-year colleges have transfer credit agreements with the state university system or with local private colleges that outline a specific curriculum that you should take so all your credits will transfer. These same inexpensive colleges can also be a great source for cheap summer courses which can then be applied to your degree. Just check how many summer courses can transfer (some schools will only transfer eight credits of summer work) and make sure to get your courses pre-approved so you know you will get credit. The best choices for transfer credit are standard courses like sciences, calculus, foreign languages, and literature. Another interesting option for students from countries with expensive higher education systems (like the U.S.) involves the Junior Year Abroad program offered by many colleges. If you spend your junior year attending college in a much more inexpensive country, your costs can plummet. The cost of living may be cheaper, and you might not even believe how cheap the tuition can be, even at top-notch schools! For example, check out McGill University in Canada (http://www.mcgill.edu), where international student's tuition can be as low as $8,300 a year, depending on the department. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article How to Limit Your College Costs Without Applying for Aid in Higher Education is owned by . Permission to republish How to Limit Your College Costs Without Applying for Aid in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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