College students nationwide understand the need to find new ways to earn college credits cheaply. Tuition costs are rising steadily, yet income sources are dwindling. The struggling economy means fewer jobs for inexperienced college students, and, as financial situations are becoming more desperate, scholarships and grants are becoming increasingly competitive. Fortunately, there are still a number of ways you can save money on college credits, whether you’re still in high school or you’ve already been in college for a few semesters. Below are some popular ways students have found to earn college credits on the cheap:
1. AP Credits
While this tip only applies to those students who are still enrolled in high school, it’s such a huge money-saver that we just had to include it in this list. AP (or Advanced Placement) classes are available at most high schools across the country and cover a wide range of subjects. Students enroll in the class (which also counts towards their high school degree), and, at the end of the class, they take an exam covering the material learned throughout the course. If students earn an acceptable score on the test (which varies by school but is usually a 3 or 4 out of 5), then they earn college credits for that class. It’s that simple. And with most AP exams costing less than $100 (as compared to college classes which usually rank in the thousands), this is a great way for students to earn cheap credits.
2. Summer/ Online Courses
As students try to save money by graduating a semester or even an entire year early, summer and online classes are becoming ever more popular. Summer courses usually cost far less than regular semester courses, yet they are worth the same amount of credits towards your degree. Many students find that summer courses are a great way to earn cheaper college credits, but, because they’re usually only taking one or two classes at a time, they still have time for much-needed summer fun and relaxation. Online courses, which can usually be taken either during the summer or during the regular school year, are another great way to save money on tuition. Because you aren’t physically present in a classroom, many schools charge a great deal less for online courses than for traditional courses. Before enrolling in either summer or online courses, however, be sure to consult your school’s policy regarding such credits, transferred or otherwise.
3. Community College
Once looked down upon by traditional four-year students as “fake colleges,” community colleges across the country are experiencing rapid popularity growth. Many students who once scoffed at the idea of taking credits at a community college are now realizing that these local schools are a great way to earn college credits at a discounted price. Community college classes can usually be taken online, over the summer, or as a supplement to the regular semester’s course load, and, despite the fact that they’re worth the same amount of credits, they usually cost far less than the classes you take at your home school. Community colleges are a great way to earn general education credits without taking on massive amounts of college debt. Once again, however, be sure to look to your school’s individual policy regarding community college credit transfers before enrolling in any classes.
Obtaining a college degree, while rarely cheap, doesn’t have to be the bank-breaking experience to which many unfortunate college students have resigned themselves. If you start early and enroll in AP classes, you have the potential to earn entire semesters’ worth of credits for less than the cost of one average college class. If you’re already in college, however, don’t give up because there are other ways for you to earn cheaper credits towards your degree. Consider enrolling in summer or online classes, or ask your school about its policy regarding community college credits, as these are all options that can help you save big on college credits.
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