Counting Pennies

People go back to school for a wide variety of reasons: a change in careers, a midlife crisis, the hope for a better job, or even to finish that college degree they never got a chance to back then. For most people, going back to school means a financial risk and quite an expensive investment. Would you be surprised if I told you it doesn’t have to be that way?

Earlier this year, I enrolled back in college. I’m taking classes in Criminal Justice and hope to get an Associate Degree within the next two years. My cost? A mere $60 a month. Yes, the degree is authentic and requires research work and end-of-semester exams, but I’m doing it from home, and that’s why the price is so low.

If you’ve been postponing going back to school because you’re afraid of the financial implications, here are some ideas to get you going:

Search the internet. There are dozens of legitimate online degrees that are cost-effective and offer easy monthly payments. Make sure you do your homework, though, as degree mills (where you simply pay to get a fake diploma) abound and are sometimes not easy to recognize.

Consider a community college. Many offer cheap late-evening or weekend classes for working adults. You may not be able to pay for a full-time semester, but even taking a few credits at a time will help you move towards your goal.

Make a list of your past accomplishments. Many colleges offer credit for work experience, old college classes and certifications obtained in alternative schools. Again, beware of scams –While you could get some credits through past experience, a college that offers you a full degree without asking you to take any classes at all is probably fake.

Get somebody else to pay for it. Many companies offer tuition reimbursement for their employees or will at least cover a part of your education bills. You should also look into scholarships and grants. Many fields are in desperate need of professionals and will gladly help you get through university if you can show some past expertise in the subject.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS