Going Back to School: 2015 Guide to GettingYour College Degree

Table of Contents

Chapter OneWeighing the Benefits & Costs of College ...................................................................................1

Chapter TwoPersonal Inventory & Career Assessment.....................................................................................3

Chapter ThreeCareer Focus on Fast Growing Occupations & Academic Inventory......................................6

Chapter FourOnline Education: Program Assessment......................................................................................9

Chapter FiveThe College Mix: Cost & Options for Open Enrollment, Associate Degrees, & Bachelors Degrees...................................................................................13

Chapter SixThe College Credit Transfer Process...........................................................................................16

Chapter SevenFinancial Aid.....................................................................................................................................19

Chapter EightPlanning a Successful First College Semester..........................................................................22

About StraighterLineAvailable Courses, Partner Schools, Testimonials....................................................................23

Checklist16 Things to Do Before Going Back to College..........................................................................28

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Congratulations! You are ready to begin your journey back to school.

Going back to college is a big decision. It's normal to feel a bit overwhelmed.

You’re not alone. StraighterLine is here to help.

As you learn more about what you want for your future, you will be able to better decide what you need out of a college. As you narrow down your personal and career interests and aptitudes, you will be better able to zero in on the schools that fit you best.

Give yourself the time you need to make the best educational decisions for yourself; consider the journey to college as a series of steps. Pay attention to each step, and you'll find yourself on a smooth path to your college degree.

College: a Cost Benefit Analysis

Turn on your computer, grab a piece of paper, even a napkin. If you are trying to figure out if the benefit of getting a college degree outweighs the cost in terms of time and money, this will be an easy exercise.

Benefits of College

The financial benefits in going back to school are considerable. The median salary earned by 2014 college graduates with accepted job offers was $50,050 and the average starting salaries for these first jobs was $48,707.

Furthermore, the median earnings of a Bachelor’s degree recipient is $21,100 higher than a high school graduate (2011). Also, according to a report by the College Board, the typical four-year college graduate who enrolled at age 18 when compared to a high school graduate, has earned enough by age 36 to compensate for being out of the labor force for four years, and for borrowing the full amount required to pay tuition and fees without any grant assistance.

Weighing the Benefits & Costs of College

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Your college degree is worth the effort it takes. Be sure to make choices that make sense personally and financially.

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The Cost of College

College costs vary considerably between institutions and type of program. Types of post secondary institutions include: private and public, online and on-campus, and two-year and four-year. Types of degrees include: Associate (two-year) or Bachelor’s (four-year), as well as non-degree professional certificates.

The type of degree you work towards should match your personal and career goals. Some professions require a professional certificate, others may require a two-year degree, and others still require a four-year Bachelor’s.

As you review your college goals, here are some average college tuition costs to keep in mind:

1. Public four-year colleges charge, on average, $8,893 per year in tuition and fees for in-state students.

2. Private nonprofit four-year colleges charge, on average, $30,094 per year in tuition and fees.

3. Competency-based degree programs charge, on average, between $2,500 to $6,000 per year.

4. Public two-year colleges charge, on average, $3,264 per year in tuition and fees.

Additionally, there are many high-quality, low-cost online degree programs available to students.

Students who need to work while going to college should consider looking into competency-based programs that can help you get a leg up without going into debt.

Alternatively, at Straighterline, you can quickly and affordably complete required general education courses, earn college credits, and then transfer these credits to nearly 100 partner colleges. These colleges include top-ranked programs for adult learners and guarantee acceptance of StraighterLine courses for transfer into their degree programs.

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A personal inventory involves taking a long hard look at yourself. Taking the time to conduct a personal inventory will help you make better decisions about what degree path you should take, including what types of schools, majors, and degrees fit you. Having a clear goal will help you make the appropriate decisions along the way.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

What Skills Do I Have?

When answering this question, make a list of past work experiences you may have or currently have. Make a list of tasks performed on each job. Ask yourself what were you good at in that position? What did you like? What did you dislike?

For example, you may have worked at a restaurant and discovered you are a whiz at remembering orders. Perhaps you found out you loved talking with the customers, but maybe didn’t like working in the evenings or handling food. This may shine a light on the fact you enjoy customer service, but may want to use that skill to help the public in more of an office setting. Or perhaps a degree in a technical field where attention to detail is critical would make more sense than pursuing a nursing degree where you may have to do late night shifts.Another way to look at skills is to make a list of your achievements in past academic

environments as well as the community. What were you good at? What did you like or dislike about those activities? Just because you are good at something, doesn’t necessarily mean you like doing it. It’s important to invest your time in pursuing a degree that will propel you to something you enjoy and have a natural affinity for.

Finally, make a list of things you enjoy doing or are good at doing unrelated to a job. Examples might include remembering directions, grooming animals, or even working with your hands. What are the aspects of these activities that you enjoy? What aspects don’t you enjoy? Are you beginning to see a pattern? Pay attention to related likes and dislikes; these will give you good insight into activities you’d like to perform on a job and at school.

What Interests Do I Have?

As you assess your skills, consider the activities you enjoy and do not enjoy as you have performed various tasks at school, on the job, or in your down time. Which classes did you eagerly anticipate in school?

Ones with a lot of group project work, or did you more enjoy solitary analysis?

Personal Inventory & Career Assessment

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When you list what you liked most in the various activities and jobs you have done, ask yourself if there is a common theme or themes? For example, do most of the activities you enjoy involve helping others or did you find more satisfaction spending a lot of time figuring things out and accomplishing and completing a difficult project alone?

Look for common themes: similar likes or dislikes for certain activities or qualities in an activity.

What Work Values Do I Have?

A work value may sound like a simple thing, but it goes beyond making money and earning a paycheck.

Consider what kind of work environment and project situations you enjoy. Do you like working outside? Do you prefer to do your work within a group or do you prefer to perform more independently? Do you like the rush of quick decision-making or do you prefer to sit back and analyze a situation slowly to arrive at an outcome? The answers to these questions will help put into context the type of career environment that will fit you best and will help guide your educational pursuits.

Career Assessment

As you consider going to college, having a good idea of the type of career you’d like to pursue is essential. After spending time learning about yourself and your needs, you may have a rough idea of the types of work you may enjoy and the skills you are able to bring to that field. Make a list of a few occupations or careers that seem to you, at least on the outside, to be a good fit.

Next, spend time learning more about these careers in depth. An excellent place to begin your research is the US Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.

bls.gov/oco/. By reading through the various professions on this website, you’ll gain a good understanding of what skills are required, wages, how many people hold jobs in that profession, what the job growth outlook is, as well as typical educational requirements.

Spend time talking with people in these professions. Ask them what their typical day looks like – this will give you a more specific view into the profession. Ask people about what types of post secondary certificates and degrees they have earned or are required. Is there a heavy concentration of one set of required college courses over another, for example math and science versus writing? Ask yourself whether or not these match your current interests and skills or whether there are gaps you need to fill.

The Job Case for A College Degree

Currently, not enough students in the U.S. are completing college to fill the unfilled jobs which require a college education. According to a study by Georgetown University, the U.S. will be down 300,000 college graduates every year between 2008 and 2018. Jobs of today and tomorrow require the high levels of education and training that only a college degree can provide.

The U.S. will need 22 million new college degrees (post-secondary, associate or better) to meet the job demands in the economy - but are slated to fall short of that number by at least 3 million.

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Higher education requirements to meet job demand isn’t just for college graduates; the U.S. will need at least 4.7 million new workers who have taken at least some college level courses and received postsecondary certificates (non degree).

The case to return to college is compelling, but unless you are prepared, you may not have the success you seek.

Let’s look at some steps you can take now to help move you towards your higher education goals.

What Can I Do Now Before I Decide a Career and College Path?

As you learn more about different areas of interest, review your educational background. For many, it is wise to take some developmental courses online to help you prepare for your return to college, to get you back into the studying groove.

If you are weak on math, but know advanced math skills are required for certain degrees and careers you have interest in, sign up for a developmental math class now. If your writing skills need polishing, take a developmental writing course. Taking developmental or self-paced online classes can help get you back into student mode and refresh your brain muscle memory.

It’s important that you give yourself permission to do what is necessary for future college success. The more you know about your ultimate end goal, the better able you’ll be to design a college degree path without spending unnecessary time, and money, or making ill-advised career choices.

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Let’s recap. You want to go back to college. You have determined the benefits far outweigh the costs. You have gone through the steps to look at your skills, interests, and work values. You are determined.

If you’ve come this far, you’ve already performed the tasks necessary to conduct an effective personal inventory. This inventory gave you greater insight into possible careers in fields that suit your particular set of interests, values and skills. Now, you’re ready to look externally.

It’s time to steer your path towards the overall job market and see how your areas of interest fit in so you can fine-tune your academic path and plan your return to college efficiently and cost-effectively.

Career Focus

As you narrow in on possible careers after college, college majors will also begin to take focus. At this stage, developing a career plan can be extremely helpful.

The more informed you are about your career goals, the better you’ll be able to pursue a degree program that’s right for you – and your dreams.

Plus, when you know which career paths you are considering, you’ll be better able to realistically estimate your expected college costs versus financial payoffs – and avoid any unwelcome surprises.

Will There Be a Job Opening When I Graduate?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the table below shows the predicted areas of highest job growth between 2008 and 2018. Rates of new job growth and opportunities for job openings rise because new jobs are created and because workers retire or leave the field for other reasons.

A college education, and determination, are key ingredients fueling your opportunities in these growing professional fields. For students who have been away from the educational system for a number of years, you’ll want to know what credentials are expected, and how you can fill any academic gaps.

Filling an Educational Gap

Sometimes, a college degree can seem beyond reach, particularly if you have any gaps in your education. That’s when it’s time to create an academic bridge. A bridge, such as taking developmental classes or enrolling in low-cost online courses, will help you move beyond your high school classes of long ago onto a college degree path without the pressure of financial risk. Research on prior learning assessment conducted by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), has shown that students receiving credit for prior learning are 2.5 times more likely to persist to graduation.

Career Focus on Fast Growing Occupations & Academic Inventory

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• Elementary school teachers, except special education ............................................597,000

• Accountants and auditors............................................................................................498,000

• Secondary school teachers, except special vocation education ..............................412,000

• Middle school teachers, except special vocation education ....................................251,000

• Computer systems analysts .......................................................................................223,000

• Computer software engineers ....................................................................................218,000

• Network systems and data communications analysts.............................................208,000

• Computer software engineers, systems software.....................................................153,000

• Construction managers ..............................................................................................138,000

• Market research analysts ...........................................................................................137,000

• Registered nurse ......................................................................................................1,039,000

• Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants....................................................................422,000

• Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses...................................................391,000

• Computer support specialists.....................................................................................235,000

• Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists .........................................................220,000

• Automotive service technicians and mechanics ......................................................182,000

• Preschool teachers except special education...........................................................178,000

• Insurance sales agents...............................................................................................153,000

• Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technicians ..........................................136,000

• Real estate sales agents ............................................................................................128,000

Occupations with The Most Job Openings: Bachelor’s DegreeOccupation and Total Job Openings 2008-2018

Occupations with The Most Job Openings:Associate’s Degree or Postsecondary Vocational Award

Occupation and Total Job Openings 2008-2013

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The time to explore your academic options, address any academic gaps, and complete your general education courses is now – before you are enrolled full-time and costly tuition is on the line.

How Costly is College?

College can be expensive. Tuition costs can run on average $30,094 per year at a 4-year private college or $8,893 for in-state students at public

colleges. Taking online courses for credit before enrolling in your degree program is a smart move and is an extremely cost effective way to ease back into higher education.

As you begin to fill any educational gaps and get your general education courses out of the way, your confidence will grow. And when it’s time to apply to degree programs, you’ll have no doubt that you are ready – and colleges will be competing for you.

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Knowing yourself, your skills and interests, and knowing which degree path to follow is a big step towards college success. Knowing the likely employment prospects of your career path is an even bigger step - this knowledge helps you develop a timeline and budget for your degree that is realistic and attainable.

Filling any academic gaps you may have is also important. Once you get any and all of your general education courses out of the way, you are more than well prepared to enroll in a degree program.

When you decide you want to go back to college, and have a good idea of what you want to study, you may think you are done – that all that’s left to do now is find the closest college,

sign up and enroll. True, geography is one way to choose a college. But it’s also a good way to get into financial difficulty and possibly earn a degree that has no worth to employers.

If you don’t enroll in the program that’s right for you, your budget, and your career goals, it just isn’t right.

Don’t forget about the reality of student loan debt. The latest statistics from the Pew Research Center have shown that 69% of new college graduates in 2012 had borrowed for college, and those students, on average, owed $26,885.

Planning appropriately can help you avoid becoming saddled with thousands of dollars in student loan debt and no degree to show for

Online Education: Program Assessment

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On-Time Graduation Rates

• Public 2-year institutions: 5%

In their latest report, Four-Year Myth, Complete College America and its Alliance of States show that an extra year costs $15,933 in tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and other expenses. In addition, students give up approximately $35,000 in lost wages by graduating late. Total Cost: $50,933.

• Public 4-year institutions, 19% (non- flagship) & 36% (flagship/very high research) of full-time students graduate on time.

The same report shows that an extra year costs $22,826 in tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and other expenses. In addition, students give up $45,327 in lost wages by graduating late. The total cost: $68,153.

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your efforts. You do have affordable options when it comes to college. Give yourself your best chance at success. Become informed and choose wisely.

Online College Courses – for Credit

Nationally, general education courses – the introductory courses that college students take in their freshman and sophomore years – represent about 1/3 of all course enrollments. For adult learners and colleges, the successful completion of one or more general education courses prior to enrolling in a degree program is a strong signal that a student will persist to a degree.

When you complete required gen ed courses prior to enrolling, you can focus your time and money on courses at the heart of your major when you do enroll. Students who complete their general education courses online pay significantly less for their courses, save thousands on their degree and avoid student debt.

StraighterLine is a leading low-cost online college course provider. StraighterLine has nearly 100 partner colleges that guarantee acceptance of StraighterLine courses for transfer into their degree programs. Students can also receive college credit for their StraighterLine courses at over 2,000 colleges and universities through the ACE College Credit Recommendation Service.

Graduation Matters

There are many students who don’t graduate for a variety of reasons – and yet have taken on a significant amount in student loan debt. If you start along the college path, you want to graduate. Plain and simple.

Getting your college degree matters, for example: Unemployment rates are triple the rates for Millenials with just a high school diploma (12.2%) compared to those with a Bachelor’s degree or higher (3.8%).

Your Due Diligence

When considering going back to college, take your time and do your due diligence. If flexibility is essential for you to take classes, and ultimately graduate, you should take a serious look at online programs. If you need to work and go back to school, or have relevant past experience, then competency based degree programs may be a great fit.

The time you put in now to investigate your college options will help you find a degree program that best fits your schedule, your goals, and your finances. The right degree program will give you a much better chance of graduating on time – and on budget.

Where is Online Education Today?

If you are like most students enrolled in college today, time is tight. You likely took some time off from school after high school, are working, and have a family or other obligations. Students who graduate from high school and immediately attend an on-campus, full-time college are in the minority. Thanks to its flexibility and affordability, online education has been embraced by adult learners.

Many students who have taken online courses have found them to be equally rigorous, more satisfying and of comparable or higher quality to traditional college courses.

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In fact, according to a Babson Survey of Online Learning:

• Over 7.1 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall 2012 term, an increase of 411,000 students over the previous year.

• Online enrollments have grown 6.1%.

• 32% of higher education students now take at least one course online.

• 77% of academic leaders believe the learning outcomes in online education are equivalent or superior to face-to-face courses.

Choosing The Right Online Program

Online degree programs offer working adults the flexibility they need. Choosing the right one, however, requires knowing where you are academically and how you learn best, being able to maximize existing transfer credits, and determining which degree will serve your career goals best.

The main difference between an online program and its traditional counterpart is that the majority of courses have all or most of their content delivered online. Typically, you can complete your courses anywhere, anytime. Some programs have semesters and grades; others let you move as quickly as you are able to master the material and having learning outcomes. Plus, online institutions can often offer a higher level of one-on-one teacher-

student interaction because technology provides a clear channel for students to reach out for assistance.

Accredited Online Degree Programs

Accreditation does not ensure an online program’s overall quality, but degrees from accredited schools tend to be more highly regarded by other schools and employers. If you have any questions about the reputation of the accreditation of the online colleges you are considering, you should check out the college’s accreditation status on the searchable database provided by the U.S. Department of Education: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/

There are thousands of accredited online degree programs available through colleges and universities throughout the United States, from state schools, to career schools, nonprofits to for-profits, from competency-based education programs to semester-based. In fact, the postsecondary institution in the U.S. with the highest enrollment, either online or traditional, was the University of Phoenix - Online Campus with over 300,000 students enrolled. Award-winning Western Governors University (WGU), one of the pioneers and leaders in competency based education, offers its programs exclusively online.

For many students, the affordability and flexibility of online programs is the most compelling reason to enroll. However, some potential students have concerns about course quality, online college reputations with employers, and doubts about whether they can pursue a specialized degree. Though there is some variability between programs, over two-thirds of academic leaders believe the learning outcomes in online education are equivalent or superior to face-to-face courses. Plus, with online competency based programs, many employers work directly with schools to develop degree programs that meet their business needs.

Taking your general education courses through an online college course provider before, or while, enrolled in your degree program can help save you a significant amount of time and money.

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Online education is here to stay. That’s good news for you. Whether you are interested in engineering, business, nursing, IT, or teaching, online programs can help you earn your degree on your schedule and at your speed – and fit college into your life.

Hybrid Programs

A hybrid or “blended” program is one in which there is a blend of online and face-to-face delivery of class material. Generally, a substantial portion of the content is delivered online; it typically uses online discussions; and has a reduced number of face-to-face meetings. Alternatively, some colleges may promote a mix of online-only classes combined with some courses that must be completed on campus.

The advantage to a hybrid program is the higher degree of flexibility for a student; however, many of these programs are tied to traditional institutions, therefore the cost savings can be minimal. Often, traditional tuition rates

apply and, if there is a synchronous portion to the class, a student still needs to adjust their schedule to fit to the course’s timetable.

Most public universities offer some type of hybrid program. You can check out what your state colleges and universities offer by going to their websites and looking at their online courses and programs.

Who Are You and What Do You Need from an Online College Program?

Be honest with yourself about your family and financial obligations, study preferences, and goals. An online program is a great option for students who need flexibility and affordability. As your academic needs shift and confidence as a student grows, you can also adapt your degree path – and your degree program.

Make smart college choices now; it’s the best way for you to achieve educational success down the road.

Over two-thirds of academic leaders believe the learning outcomes in online education are equivalent or superior to face-to-face courses.

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We learn from our mistakes. One of the best ways to learn how to do something is to first learn how not to do something. It’s true of a lot of things, from falling off a bike to over-cooking a cake. Unfortunately, learning from a mistake is not a good strategy when choosing a college. When the financial stakes are so high, missteps can be costly.

So How do You Choose the Right College? Where do You Begin?

First, we’ll look at the cost of going to college among your various college options. Then, we’ll dig a little deeper. It’s important to understand the difference in the admission policies, support structure, and career opportunities of various degree programs.

The Cost of Going Back to College

Unless you have a scholarship or grant that covers the full cost of college, or have a tuition assistance program at work that reimburses your tuition fully, you’ll be paying out of pocket to go to college. How much you will pay, however, largely depends on the type of institution you choose. Likewise, how much debt you will have after graduation will be largely influenced by the overall cost of your school, your college savings, family help, scholarships and grants, and your wages from work versus the loan amounts you need to take out to cover the difference.

Online College Courses – for Credit

In the “Trends in College Pricing” series by The College Board, there isn’t an average cost of tuition for those institutions providing general education courses outside a degree program – but there should be. Students who complete general education courses through an online college course provider can save thousands of dollars on a degree. One leading example is the First Year of College program with StraighterLine. The cost of this program is $1299 for 12 months of unlimited access to 10 college-level courses, the equivalent of a freshman year.

The Cost of Not Going Back to College

Think not obtaining your college degree won’t make a difference? Think again. According to the New York Times, getting your degree is worth it. The pay gap between those with a college degree and those without reached a record high last year. Those with a college degree made 98% more an hour on average in 2013 than those without.

The College Mix: Cost & Options for Open Enrollment, Associate Degrees, & Bachelor’s Degrees

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If you attend college and later drop out, you are still responsible for any loans you may have taken out – even if you have not earned your degree.

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Clearly, It Pays to Get a College Degree.

However, if you aren’t sure about your academic readiness, or are unsure how well you will be able to fit college in your schedule, you should take the appropriate steps to reduce those risks by:

• taking low-cost online courses, • understanding the true nature of your financial situation, and• assessing how important flexibility is to fitting college into your daily life.

Academic preparation makes a significant difference, according to stats complied by the College Board. At the most selective 4-year institutions, where students have strong academic preparation, 83% of students who began their studies in 2002 had completed degrees at their first institution by fall 2008. Only 27% of students who began at open enrollment institutions and 53% of those who began at institutions accepting at least 75% of their applicants earned degrees at their first institution within six years.

Your Higher Education Options

We’ve talked about knowing your higher education options, but what are they? Where you start may not be where you end up. To get the degree you want, you may need to transfer credits from one kind of institution to another. Create a clearly defined degree path – and take advantage of cost savings by doing so.

4-year Public Institution

• Average (in-state) tuition and fees $8,893

• Average (in-state) total charges, including tuition, fees, room, and board $17,817

• Average (out-of-state) tuition and fees $22,203

• Average (out-of-state) total charges, including tuition, fees, room, and board $31,701

2-year Public Institution

• Average tuition and fees $3,264

4-year Private Nonprofit College or University

• Average tuition and fees $30,090

• Average total charges, including tuition, fees, room, and board $40,917

4-year Private For-profit College or University

• Average tuition and fees $15,130

An Overview of Tuition CostsHere’s an overview of the average

college tuition costs for 2013-14 fromthe College Board.

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Open Enrollment Institutions

Open enrollment institutions are what they sound like - open. This means you can register to take classes, and as long as you pay the tuition and fees, you can take classes as needed.

Online programs, career colleges and community colleges commonly offer open enrollment, and also provide a variety of developmental classes and support for those students who need to brush up on coursework

Some online institutions, in addition to open enrollment, offer rolling start dates. This allows you to start and finish your courses at your own pace. If this sounds appealing to you, you may want to consider a competency- based program where learning is measured by outcomes, not the time spent in the classroom. Your time and money are valuable; use them wisely by enrolling in a degree program that meets your needs.

Associate Degree Programs

You can receive your associate degree through a variety of programs. Typically, online colleges or community and technical colleges fill this niche. For many, an Associate degree can lead to a Bachelor’s degree through credit transfer to a 4-year public college.

Bachelor Degree Programs

It may come as a surprise, but traditional campuses are not the largest system for students pursuing a degree. The largest in terms of enrollment, by far, is the University of Phoenix, a school that offers both online and traditional courses. The University of Phoenix Online has over 300,000 students enrolled – over 5 times the number of students enrolled at the second largest school.

Some schools offering Bachelor’s degree programs are more selective in admitting students than others. Many more, however, are not overly selective and admit at least 75% of students who apply.

The flexibility and affordability of online degree programs has helped fuel the growth of students pursuing their Bachelor’s degree online.

Choose the Right Program for You

Some students may think college is college. However, college is an investment, and an investment in you – and your future. Be clear with your needs and invest wisely.

According to the College Board Advocacy & Policy Center, half of all 4-year degree-granting institutions offer open admission or accept at least 75% of their applicants.

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Returning to college? Starting college for the first time? You may be surprised, but you might not have to start from scratch -- as long as you understand how to transfer college credits. Maximizing your transfer credits can save you time and money. Having existing college credits for general education courses can allow you to graduate earlier than you would otherwise, and move into more advanced courses more quickly.

The American Council on Education (ACE) uses the following to describe the transfer of credits:

“Transfer refers to the movement of students from one college, university or other educational provider to another, and the process by which credits representing educational experiences, courses, degrees, or credentials are accepted or not accepted by a receiving institution.”

The better you understand how transfer credit works, the more you can use them to save on your degree.

Here are the Leading Ways to Earnand use Transfer Credits: Previous College Experience

It is not uncommon for students to have acquired previous college credits at past educational institutions. Be sure to contact and obtain transcripts from past colleges and have that information sent, per their transfer process, to the institution you are considering, in order to see if and how your college credits will transfer.

If you intend on going to the same school you attended previously, stepping back where you left off should be a fairly easy process.

However, not all schools accept all credits earned at other institutions. Before you begin a new program, be sure to speak to the school’s transfer office and understand you transfer credit status.

2-Year Degree Transfer to a 4-Year Program

Many community colleges have special “articulation agreements” with their state’s 4-year college system that describe which courses will be accepted for transfer and for which majors. Since community colleges usually cost significantly less than the typical 4-year program, this can be a huge money saver for a student trying to affordably earn a Bachelor’s degree.

Before you start taking classes at your local community college, be sure to find out if the 4-year college you’d like to transfer into accepts the credits from that community college. Not all will.

Earn College Credit for Online General Education Courses

For those looking to earn college credits at a low-cost, completing your general education courses online can help save you thousands on your degree.

The College Credit Transfer Process

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Online courses, like the ones offered by StraighterLine, are extremely affordable. Plus, StraighterLine’s low-cost online college courses are guaranteed to transfer into accredited colleges in our partner savings network. And if the courses you take are reviewed and recommended by the American Council on Education College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) - as StraighterLine’s are - then your credits may also be accepted at over 2000 colleges and universities that are members of the ACE CREDIT network.

Past Work Experience and Continuing Education

You can earn college credit equivalences by passing tests through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). These 90-minute exams, which can help you earn a qualifying score on introductory-level college subject exams, are administered at a variety of test centers and at various colleges. You can also earn college credit through other credit-by-exams like the Excelsior College Exams or a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). A PLA can evaluate your level of learning from activities like military service, community service, work experience, and independent studies and make appropriate credit recommendations.

Military Training

The American Council on Education (ACE) provides a reference guide entitled, “A Transfer Guide: Understanding Your Military Transcript and ACE Credit Recommendations“ which helps military personnel and veterans understand the credit transfer process step-by-step. The ability for military training to earn college credits will vary with a college’s transfer policy as well as the type of program and major a student is looking to pursue.

Transfer Credit Alert

Unless you take courses at StraighterLine (which does guarantee credit transfer to its accredited partner colleges), or at a community college with an established articulation agreement with another school, there is little guarantee your previously earned credits will be accepted at the school you want to transfer into. It’s up the receiving school, the school you are looking to attend or transfer into, to decide whether or not they will accept your college credits into one of their programs.

Others impose grade restrictions. Others have a maximum number of college credits they are willing to accept in transfer.

Take Time to Understand the Credit Transfer Process

The transfer process can seem ambiguous – and sometimes it is. Some institutions will help guide you through the transfer process, particularly if they have partnership relationships with another school or prior transfer credit experience with another institution. Others schools may require you to do more digging. Contact the transfer office of the college which you plan on attending. Get a degree plan that maps out which courses the school will accept in transfer.

Some colleges only accept general education courses for transfer.

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You’ll need your previous transcripts and course descriptions to start the process. For assistance, check out StraighterLine’s Credit Transfer Checklist to learn more about how credit transfer works, what accreditation is, which schools belong to the ACE Credit Network, and more.

Transferring your college credits is worth your effort. With the rising cost of college, don’t waste your money and time relearning something you’ve already mastered. Save your resources for achieving your educational goals that much sooner.

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Going back to college as an adult is a big commitment. You’ll need to plan for success both academically and financially prior to enrolling. After all, the day you start taking classes, you’ll need to focus your attention on academics – not finances.

Here is how to obtain the tuition assistance you may need to attend college, what financial aid options are available, and what to expect in terms of loan repayment, if you do require loan assistance, after you graduate:

Costs of College – What will I Pay?

Tuition and Fees: Though there is a is a huge variation in tuition rates for colleges and universities, 50% of full-time students at public and private nonprofit 4-year colleges are enrolled in degree programs that charge tuition and fees of $10,300 or less. At the other end of the spectrum, in 2013-14, the average cost of a private 4-year college was $30,094. For students looking to get credit for what they already know, competency-based degree programs cost between about $2,500 and $6,000 per year. You can also take a full year of courses through StraighterLine for just $1,299.

Books and Supplies: College costs include those beyond tuition – and can add up. The national average for books and supplies alone at 4-year public colleges in 2013-2014 was $1,207.

Room and Board: The cost of room and board varies with the location and established rates by the college you are considering attending. You will need to research each school individually. Alternatively, online schools or community colleges allow students living at home the opportunity to reduce the overall cost of college and/or have some degree of control over their living expenses.

Transportation: The average transportation costs for 4-year public college students who live on campus was $1,123 for 2013-21014. Online students are able to bypass the costs, and hassles, associated with transportation.

Personal Expenses: These miscellaneous, “hidden costs of college,” from cell phones to pizza to laundry, can add up. In 2013-2014, for 4-year public college students living on campus, the national average was $2,105.

Here are Some Ways to Reduce Your Overall Cost of College:

Attend a Lower Cost School

It is obvious, but worth emphasizing: some schools are significantly less expensive than others. Look seriously at all schools that meet your academic and financial needs.

Financial Aid

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Don’t assume that one type of degree program will automatically be cheaper than another: some online degree programs charge a higher tuition than those on-campus.

Pay Less for Your General Education Courses

If you start your college experience at a community college or complete your general education courses online through a low-cost course provider like StraighterLine, you’ll pay significantly less per credit hour. When you transfer your low-cost courses to a degree program, you save thousands towards your degree. Already have existing credits? Whether these were earned through previous college experience, training through work, or through a prior learning assessment, use them reduce the cost of your degree.

Take Fewer Credits

Students who earn college credit prior to enrolling in college can have a much lower overall cost of college. When you come in with advanced standing at a school, it reduces your cost of college by decreasing the number of semesters it takes to graduate or by reducing the number of credit hours you need to take (and pay) per semester. Here are few ways to earn college credits before going to college: Advanced Place Programs (AP), earning ACE CREDIT, passing CLEP and other credit-by-exam programs, credit for military experience, and Prior Learning Assessments (PLA).

Use Current Income

Nearly 80% of college students work while in school. You should plan on paying some of your college costs out of your current year income. How much? That depends on your financial situation. Colleges assess financial

need based on the information provided by you on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once processed, your relevant financial information will be sent to the up to 10 colleges you indicated on the form that you are interested in attending. Financial aid decisions are made independently by each college. Get your information in on time so you can be considered for financial aid funds.

Tuition Reimbursement

Many companies offer tuition reimbursement benefits to employees. Tuition reimbursement programs allow you to work towards a degree or take relevant classes with some or all of the money spent on tuition and fees reimbursed by your employer. Check if your employer offers this benefit – don’t leave money on the table.

Grants and Scholarships

Some students, after filling out the FAFSA, may become eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, which awards up to $5,645 (maximum amount for year 2013-2014). Your eligibility and grant amount awarded depends on your financial situation, your costs to attend college, and whether you are going full or part-time. Other grants and scholarships may be issued by the school to which you have applied and will be included in your overall financial aid package from that school.

There are many resources for adults interested in scholarships. From community scholarships, to professional organization grants, to specific college scholarships, or the various Partner College Scholarships available through StraighterLine – it’s well worth your time to explore your “free money” options. Financial aid awarded as a grant or scholarship is particularly attractive because it does not have to be paid back.

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Federal Loans

Federal loans are divided into two major types: subsidized and unsubsidized. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education through participating schools.

• Direct Subsidized Loans: Direct subsidized loans are based on financial need determined from the results of your FAFSA. A subsidized loan does not charge you interest while you are in school at least half-time and during grace and deferment periods, saving you serious money. When available, you should use funds from this type of loan before using those from an unsubsidized loan.

• Direct Unsubsidized Loan: You are not required to demonstrate financial need to receive unsubsidized loans. Interest, however, will accrue from the moment the money is paid out. One strategy to save on the cost of interest over the life of the loan is to pay the interest while you are still in school. If you don’t pay the interest while you are in school, you will pay a higher monthly rate when you graduate. Interest accumulated during school is added to the initial principal. When you graduate, the overall principal will be higher than the initial loan amount.

Private Loans

Some students may also consider taking out a private loan through a bank or other financial institution. Typically, these loans are more expensive and carry higher interest rates. You will need to explore these loans independently of the school you plan to attend.

You Can Afford College

Paying for college means having a plan. An effective college financial plan allows you to anticipate how much you will be required to pay out-of-pocket and how much you will need to borrow. For many, taking out a college loan is a necessity; the debt, an investment in your future. Know that you do have options when it comes to college choice and college cost. It is possible to achieve your educational goals and have a positive financial future without the burden of too much student loan debt.

Note: The information contained in this report is for educational purposes only. StraighterLine is in no way liable for any factual errors that may be contained herein, nor are we providing any specific legal or financial advice. As with any financial aid issue, please consult your professional financial aid advisor.

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Stepping into the role of a student can be challenging as an adult. Going back to school as an adult doesn’t come with the same built-in support system as it does for a student just out of high school. Adult learners typically don’t live on campus, work (often full-time), and more than likely already have a family and many commitments outside of school. Adult students need to incorporate a college education into an already busy life.

Here are Some Tips to Help You Succeed in Your First Semester: Review Your College’s Course Catalog

Many students returning to college at a later stage in life are doing so for professional reasons. Be sure to review your college’s course catalog. Generally available online, this catalog will provide a listing of courses available in given areas of study and what prerequisite classes are required to advance. Find out if you can take any of your general education courses online.

Use an Advisor

Most colleges provide an academic advisor to help you succeed. They can help you navigate class choice given your academic background and degree goals. The time to speak with an advisor is before you register for classes. The earlier you know what classes are recommended, the easier it will be for you to get the classes you need.

Schedule as Strategy

Choosing a class schedule is a bit like chess. The first moves you make are the most critical. Picking the right classes at the right times can make a huge difference. For every one credit hour enrolled in school, you should expect to spend approximately two to three hours outside of class studying. For example, a 3-credit hour class (one college course) will equal 3 hours of class time per week plus 6-9 hours of study time per week.

When scheduling your semester course load, consider a variety of class types. Some college courses, like English Composition, will require lots of reading and writing papers. You may want to combine those kinds of classes with math and science courses that require problem sets or lab work.

Register in a Timely Manner

If you aren’t enrolled in an online degree program, class availability can be limited. If you are late registering, there’s a good chance the most popular classes and/or the best class times are no longer available. Be sure to give yourself the best opportunity to take the classes you need when you need to take them - and that means registering on time or early.

Planning a Successful First College Semester as an Adult Student

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Decisions Made Easier.We’ll evaluate your prior credits, help you choose a school and build a degree plan that maximizes your savings, better utilizes your time and achieves your goals.

A Better Experience.Our sole focus is on general education courses and delivering the best possible student experience. Every StraighterLine course is engineered to increase your success, count for credit towards your degree, and to save you money.

Real Savings.Every course at StraighterLine saves you money on your degree at a school in our network of accredited colleges. We guarantee it. Save even more by taking multiple courses from StraighterLine, qualify for special tuition discounts and save up to 60% on the total cost of your degree.

StraighterLine provides low-cost online courses that are guaranteed to save you money on your degree from schools in our network of nearly 100 accredited colleges.

What is StraighterLine?

Choose Your CoursesTogether we’ll develop a degree plan that shows you what courses to take with us and how much you can save.

Earn College CreditStraighterLine courses are guaranteed to transfer to schools in our network of nearly 100 accredited colleges.

Transfer & Get Your DegreeGraduate with the degree you want, from the school you want for a fraction of the price.

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How It Works

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BusinessAccounting IAccounting IIBusiness CommunicationsBusiness EthicsBusiness LawBusiness StatisticsMacroeconomicsMicroeconomicsEntrepreneurshipFinancial AccountingIntro. to BusinessManagerial AccountingOrganizational BehaviorPersonal FinancePrinciples of Management

Science & Health ScienceAnatomy & Physiology IAnatomy & Physiology IIFirst Aid/CPRGeneral Chemistry IGeneral Physics IIntro. to BiologyIntro. to Environmental ScienceIntro. to NutritionMedical TerminologyMicrobiologyPersonal Fitness & WellnessPharmacology IPharmacology II

Humanities & Social SciencesAmerican GovernmentCultural AnthropologyIntro. to CommunicationIntro. to Criminal JusticeIntro. to PhilosophyIntro. to PsychologyIntro. to ReligionIntro. to SociologyPersonal FinanceUnited States History IUnited States History IIWestern Civilization IWestern Civilization II

MathematicsBusiness StatisticsCalculus ICalculus IICollege AlgebraIntroductory AlgebraIntro. to StatisticsPrecalculus

EnglishDevelopmental WritingEnglish Composition IEnglish Composition II

College PrepDevelopmental WritingIntroductory AlgebraPrior Learning AssessmentStudent Success

TechnologyIntroduction to Programming in C++

LanguagesSpanish ISpanish II

StraighterLine Online Courses

Interested in an Online Course?Begin Your Free Trial Today!

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We’ll help you select the one that’s right for you. Call your student advisor today: 877.787.8375

In the time we’ve been around, we’ve been recognized as a revolutionizing force in education by major news organizations and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and have forged partnerships with the leading accredited online colleges and universities.

StraighterLine Partner Schools

Save up to 60% on nearly 100 Accredited Colleges

Our Partner Schools include:

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Partner Schools continued:

New England College

Transferring Credits To Other CollegesOur courses are evaluated and recommended by the American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT), which includes over 2,000 participating colleges and universities.

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Student Success Stories

“With StraighterLine, I have saved about $13k – at least – on my degree. My goal was to finish my degree in 4 years. Without StraighterLine, I would not have been able to.”

Chris AroraNovember, 2014

“StraighterLine is amazing. I’m saving a ton of money and time. I wanted to get my degree as soon as I could. I’ve been able to complete and transfer 12 StraighterLine courses into my accounting degree program at Strayer. I tell my friends, you should really take these [StraighterLine] classes to save money and graduate as soon as possible.”

Nardy DoyleOctober 2014

“High school students can do this type of work. StraighterLine truly allows students to learn! You can be in control of your learning.”

Deb & Aidyn GangemiFebruary, 2014

“StraighterLine offered the quickest and most cost-effective way for me to complete the general education courses I needed for my degree. I took 12 StraighterLine courses and saved thousands on my degree.”

Peter KennedyOctober 2014

“StraighterLine is a great stepping stone for learning. It helped me get back into the groove of studying, reading, and writing. It prepared me well. Completing StraighterLine courses got me into the degree program I wanted. I will be graduating with my bachelor’s degree in November!”

Johnny ChapmanMarch, 2014

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16 Things to Do Before Going Back to College

If you’re going back to college as an adult, this checklist makes it easy for you to make smart decisions and to save money on your degree.

Explore

Determine if going back to college is worth it, including weighing the benefits and costs of college, comparing college tuition costs, and evaluating low-cost college course alternatives.

Develop clear career goals by evaluating your skills, interests, work values – and assessing different career paths.

Map out academic development needs and take self-paced online classes prior to enrolling in a degree program to save money and increase your chance of success.

Compare

Compare career opportunities, including new job growth and openings.

Assess any academic gaps and get your general education courses out of the way.

Evaluate your degree options and determine which degree program is right for you, including schedule flexibility, student loan debt, graduation rates, credit transfer, career placement, time to degree, and online education.

Plan

Get a degree plan to determine which general education courses and prerequisites you can complete prior to enrolling.

Speak with an enrollment counselor to discuss tuition rates, financial aid, scholarships, and the credit transfer process.

Pay less for your degree by completing your eligible general education courses online, getting a scholarship, and maximizing credit transfer.

Look at your current income and apply for financial aid, if necessary, including scholarships.

Submit college admission application(s).

Enroll & Succeed

Speak with an academic advisor to determine which classes you need and when to sign up.

Review your technology needs and trouble shoot any issues prior to starting class.

Develop a class schedule, including creating a calendar that maps out the time necessary for studying, for work, for errands, and your family.

Brush up on your time management skills.

Celebrate your successes, big and small.