Sounds too good? Well on closer investigation, this claim actually proves true! There really are colleges that offer programs at no cost to students. One college even pays its students a stipend to cover living expenses! Of course free tuition is mostly for the crème de la crème or for those in a very specialized field of study. (Keep reading and I will include the list of colleges with free tuition).
“Free tuition!” is such a show-stopper statement for the obvious reason– higher education can be very expensive. However, there are some ways to cut the cost particularly for homeschool families.
Many homeschool families among my acquaintances have had their high school students take classes at local community colleges. It is not unusual for a college or university to allow homeschooled high school students to enroll for a course or two. The course counts toward the high school curriculum AND the student receives actual college credit as well. It is the same idea as the AP courses in a public high school with the exception that the student gets an authentic college class experience. Parents also like this arrangement because they can be available as the homeschooled high school student transitions into a higher education setting.
The other option conducive to homeschool is online college courses. Since homeschool students are likely already adapted to independent learning, this can be a good fit. There a number of universities and centers for higher learning that offer online courses. Like the brick-and-mortar option just mentioned, online college classes can allow the homeschool student to fulfill high school curriculum requirements while building college credit.
Whether attending a physical college or taking online courses, higher education while in high school offers many financial advantages. First, having acquired credits before even going to college means that a degree could be earned in a shorter time. This means savings in living and travel expenses for those college years. Also, credits acquired as a student at home are generally less expensive than credits taken as a full time student. Again, greater savings later when the student attends college. Second, the opportunity to explore various fields of study could give students a clearer sense of what their major will be when they go to college. Were you one of those students who changed their major 5 times during the first 2 years of university? Then you can understand the expense and stress that can be saved by exploring some of these options while in high school. Third, a student who has put forth the effort to pursue higher learning would be a valuable candidate for scholarships offered by universities. Finally, students who have higher learning experience will have a strong basis for success when they do go to school. In a way, they have been able to “practice” being a college student. Setting them up for success will save also save money in the long run.
While these suggestions won’t make college tuition disappear, they may greatly reduce the expense for your student and family. And now for those colleges with free tuition. They are The Cooper Union (New York City), College of the Ozarks (Point Lookout, MO), US Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT), Webb Institute (Glen Cove, NY), and Macaulay Honors College (New York City).
Source:
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/college-finance/colleges-for-free.aspx#ixzz2Motz2IAV
Copyright © 2013 J. Hoffman / GSN (NV)
“If you liked this post – Great!! Please ask before you re-post. Thanks!”
Email: JHoffman@GlobalStudentNetwork.com