College, Quicker: 24 Practical Ways to Save Money and Get Your Degree Faster

You can save time and money on your college education. And you can have an unforgettable adventure along the way. Step-by-step, College, Quicker shows you how!

On her first day of college, Kate Stephens had no government aid, no private scholarships, no significant savings―and no idea how she was going to pay for her education. But she graduated with zero debt in just two years. Her secret? Finding faster, less expensive ways to earn credits toward her degree.

In College, Quicker, Stephens guides you to an affordable education, sharing practical tips on how to:

• Design your graduation plan. Are you still in high school? Already in college? Get the lowdown on how colleges' transfer credit policies work and sample schedules to organize your plan.
• Choose the credit-earning options that work best for you. Are you a good test taker? Do you feel cooped up in classrooms? Basics, benefits, and bottom-line financial savings help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
• Get started now! Hit the ground running with step-by-step instructions plus insider tips, common mistakes to avoid, and bonus opportunities.

24 Money-Saving Options for ANY Kind of Student:

• AP and IB exams
• Dual enrollment
• CLEP, DSST, TECEP
• Internships
• Military transcripts
• Prior learning portfolios
• Alternative spring breaks
• And more!

INTRODUCTION

LIFE. During childhood, I played this game incessantly. I delighted in the virtually endless combinations. I could work as a doctor, a lawyer, or an accountant; live in a mansion, log cabin, or Tudor style; and drive a purple, yellow, or green car. But while I often chose different occupations, residences, and automobiles, I almost always selected the college before career path. Even as young as five, I understood the value of a bachelor's degree. You'd have more career options and could earn more money. So without much thought, I asked the banker for $100k in loan slips to cover my education costs. Even with the interest, I would accumulate enough to settle my debt after a couple PAY DAYs.

Although this decision was easy in the game, it was much harder in the real world. As I grew older, I discovered the truth about the price of college. It didn't cost one or two PAY DAYs; it cost 10 years of barely scraping by. Not wanting this life, I decided to create my own path. I would still graduate with a college diploma but without student loans. Obviously, this was easier said than done. I didn't have an Education Savings Account, a 529 Plan, or a trust fund. Just a few hundred dollars at a local bank. Nearly broke, I would need to roll up my sleeves and bring in the money myself.

I first tried the government aid route. While I didn't live on skid row, I didn't reside on Park Avenue either. I came from a middle-class family. And due to our income bracket, I expected some state or federal grants. To attain this money, I filed the FAFSA and patiently waited for my official financial aid award letters. In the spring, they arrived from the colleges I'd been accepted to. Most of the schools awarded me a small amount of scholarship money, but Uncle Sam offered me only loans. The land of the free didn't give me a penny free. Yet even though the state and federal financial aid systems had failed me, I wasn't ready to quit. I had a couple other moneymaking options. One down, two to go.

Next, I tried the private scholarships route. Like thousands of other high school students, I searched Fastweb for scholarships offered by organizations other than colleges. Unfortunately, I wasn't eligible for many. But the few I did qualify for, I applied to over the next several weeks. I spent hours on the computer; I wrote essay after essay after essay. Yet my valiant effort was all for naught. I didn't win one. That's right, not even one. And with schoolwork continuing to mount, I decided to move on to the most reliable moneymaking venture. Two down, only one to go.

For my last attempt, I tried the job route. Although I started babysitting at age 12, I never worked more than a few hours a week. And $50 wouldn't pay for a textbook, let alone tuition. I needed steady employment. Since an espresso shop exists on literally every corner in Seattle, I applied for a barista position. Within a month, I was manning the cash register and the coffeemaker. But between serving and studying, I had little free time. And with my minimum-wage paycheck, I couldn't tuck much away. By the time I gave my two-weeks' notice, I had stashed only around $2,000 in savings. A far cry from the $120K college sticker price. Three down, none left.

At this point, I wanted to throw in the towel, wave the white flag. Maybe my goal wasn't achievable. Just when I was ready to surrender, I remembered a line from a late-night infomercial. "There's got to be a better way." Cliché as it might sound, the TV host was right. I had tried the traditional routes: government aid, private scholarships, and part-time work. And they left me tired and tapped out. I needed an alternative. I racked my brain but came up with nothing. What was this "better way?"

Unbeknownst to me, the answer sat right under my nose. During high school, I participated in a summer scholars program and a dual enrollment program. I desired college academics as well as college experiences. In addition to fulfilling both of these wants, the programs also helped me earn almost a semester of college credit. But since I was too focused on winning essay scholarships and working extra shifts my senior year, I forgot about this perk. However, I was quickly reminded during a visit to the registrar's office at my university. After looking over my college transcripts from the high school programs, the transcript analyst made an astute observation. Because of my previously earned credit, I could possibly graduate early.

It was my "aha!" moment. I had at last discovered the "better way." And it had nothing to do with making more money. It dealt with the root of the problem: time. Instead of attending my university for four years, I would go for only two years and complete the remaining 60 credits elsewhere. That meant having to pay just two years' worth of high tuition, room, and board costs, instead of four. But once again, a question lingered in my mind. How would I obtain these credits?

Compared to the first one, this question didn't have a single answer. I could earn credits through many different kinds of courses, exams, and activities. But as there was no universal list or comprehensive resource explaining all of these opportunities, I'd have to find them myself. I sought out suggestions from counselors, teachers, peers, and online forums. And if an idea seemed plausible and affordable, I gave it a go. Fortunately, my hard work paid off. At age 20, I graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree. But my 4.0 GPA wasn't even the best part. Because college ended up costing nearly half my original estimate, I had just enough funds from university scholarships and part-time work to cover it and walk away with my diploma debt-free.

Like me, you might have tried to pay for college through the traditional routes. But as you've come to realize, four or more years of college aren't often easily paid for by government aid, private scholarships, and minimumwage paychecks. However, by following my "better way," you can achieve an affordable education through an early graduation. Yet, unlike me, you don't have to go down this road alone. Since I've already done the research, you can forgo muddling through questionable suggestions from school counselors or confusing information on online forums. This book will serve as a clear road map, showing you exactly how to graduate in less time. While there is no surefire guarantee, my tried and tested strategies should help you earn college credits quickly and fly through your degree.

But I didn't write this book merely so you can graduate early. I wrote it so you can experience the benefits of an early graduation. And whether you shave off one semester or two years from the typical four (or more common nowadays, five or six), you'll reap these rewards. First and foremost, you'll save money. By not spending as much on tuition, room, and board, you'll reduce or even eliminate the need for student loans. Second, but no less important, you'll save time. By not spending as many terms relearning material you previously acquired in high school or taking courses that don't interest you to fulfill graduation requirements, you'll have the ability to chase after your dreams sooner. Ultimately, graduating early isn't a carefree, free ride, but it can give you the freedom from paying loans and the freedom to pursue your dreams.