Thread: Advice on getting Bachelors quick and cheap.

I'm taking my first CLEP test Tuesday (U.S. History II) I want to get a Bachelors degree but want to do it in a way where I'm in very little to no debt when I am through. I'm thinking of doing a combination of CLEP tests and classes in a NM community college and then transferring. Does this sound like a good idea?

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That sounds like a great idea.

However you might want to check out the Excelsior $10K degree mentioned in this post:
Excelsior's 10k Degree

You can't use a Pell grant or I think Federal loans for it. Also I'm not interested in the majors they are offering for $10,000

What majors interest you? It's very doable and for less than 10K though 'fastest cheapest' is Business or Psychology or Liberal Studies. Having a job with tuition assistance benefits can expand the choices along the 'cheap' dimension, but not along the 'fast' dimension. Have you any prior credits?

Phillip

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I think your idea is rock solid. DO a search on the NMJC website, they list all the CLEP's they accept. They also have a checklist for their AA degree. Just plug in the classes from their degree program and the CLEP's to formulate a plan. I know of one student that claimed to take 24 credits at NMJC in a single semester (12 credits per 8 weeks) There are financial incentives to this as NMJC allows classes over 18 credits at essentially no tuition (just a fee for those last 6 credits). You should be able to complete the AA in about a year if you apply yourself, and I see no reason a PELL grant wouldn't apply.

Consider a Bachelors from Thomas Edison State College, Charter Oak State College, or Excelsior to finish up. This three will accept all CLEP and DSST tests, FEMA credits, Straighterline, ACE, and just about any RA college credit you can accumulate. You can probably do the whole thing for less than $5-6K. Judicious use of your PELL grant might make it essentially free.

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	Charter Oak State College Charter Oak State College Charter Oak is a small liberal arts college, part of the Connecticut state college system. It was established to provide options for rapid degree completion. You can earn an accredited bachelor's degree in as little as a few months through exam-based competency assessment, take online classes, and many more options. An excellent choice, and a perennial DegreeInfo favorite school. The school is part of the Connecticut State system and is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school. [/center]

Originally Posted by rebel100

I think your idea is rock solid. DO a search on the NMJC website, they list all the CLEP's they accept. They also have a checklist for their AA degree. Just plug in the classes from their degree program and the CLEP's to formulate a plan. I know of one student that claimed to take 24 credits at NMJC in a single semester (12 credits per 8 weeks) There are financial incentives to this as NMJC allows classes over 18 credits at essentially no tuition (just a fee for those last 6 credits). You should be able to complete the AA in about a year if you apply yourself, and I see no reason a PELL grant wouldn't apply.

Consider a Bachelors from Thomas Edison State College, Charter Oak State College, or Excelsior to finish up. This three will accept all CLEP and DSST tests, FEMA credits, Straighterline, ACE, and just about any RA college credit you can accumulate. You can probably do the whole thing for less than $5-6K. Judicious use of your PELL grant might make it essentially free.

Good advice! The OP could consider taking cleps (dantes, etc.) and courses wherever grants and loans may apply, and then transfer everything over to one of the BIG 3 or a nearby online state university for completion. Box checked on the application! Unless there is a specific career or licensing requirement, many say majors don’t matter too much.

	Charter Oak State College Charter Oak State College Charter Oak is a small liberal arts college, part of the Connecticut state college system. It was established to provide options for rapid degree completion. You can earn an accredited bachelor's degree in as little as a few months through exam-based competency assessment, take online classes, and many more options. An excellent choice, and a perennial DegreeInfo favorite school. The school is part of the Connecticut State system and is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school. [/center]