This is the Secret to Earning Your College Degree Without the Ballooning Student Debt

College sounds so scary for teens nowadays because of two things: harder subjects to cover and the skyrocketing expenses. With the left and right news about student loans still harrowing graduates while they land their first jobs, nobody can blame them.

Stakes could be higher for hopefuls wishing to get in Ivy League Schools. As such, students who have the honest intention of securing a degree but don’t have the means to push through with their plans have a hard time.

Student debt is a common issue for students and their families

Unfortunately, student debt has become a common problem that’s nowhere near ending. Of the 45 million Americans, there are more than $1.5 trillion unpaid loans. The staggering number is enough to keep an aspiring person to turn his back on college. Although this is the sad reality, there are ways in which they can realize their dreams without sinking in debt:

College Level Examination Program

One of the choices high school students have is the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), which has not been as popular as it should be. Those under this can take classes while still in high school and need to pass on the exams per course. This campaign will help those seeking to enter college by giving credits, which means passers can technically cut their semesters in college.

One way to secure your college is through CLEP

The good news is, anyone can take CLEP classes. If you work hard, then you might lessen your debt once you finish college earlier than usual.

How Effective is CLEP?

Thomas Jefferson’s principal, Andrew Vincent, shared that students who have indicated they undertook CLEP classes in their applications had a higher chance of getting in college than those who didn’t. Community College Research Center’s Davis Jenkins shared the same sentiment and said that both disadvantaged and advantaged students greatly benefit from courses taken in advance.

Apart from that, this will be impressive for colleges because it greatly showcases the student’s capacity to finish college-level courses while still in high school, SavingForCollege.com publisher Mark Kantrowitz said. This means that again, it will be instrumental in aiding you to get in your preferred school. However, he warned not to solely rely on CLEP classes – the perfect way to go is to add sports, volunteer, and hobbies into the mix.

The Reality for Students

Next to buying a house, education is the second biggest thing a person spends on. College Board reported that for private college schools, there is an average of $35,830 tuition and other fees for a four-year course in 2018-2019. The situation in public schools cost $10,230. These amounts don’t include other expenses like board and lodging.

Students need to pass their CLEP tests

As per research Sallie Mae’s senior director Marie O’Malley, only 10 percent managed to cover for the whole cost of college from their own money and the rest relies on lenders or a mix of different resources.

Fine Print

There are 2,900 colleges that accept credits from CLEP classes so it pays to check your preferred school’s website. Also ask around about the requirements the institutions need. The Princeton Review’s Robert Franek advised to be critical from the get-go and not to be complacent.