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College-Bound Students Shouldn’t Always Test Out of Classes

By U.S. News & World Report

For many high school students, using Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credits to skip 100-level college courses and move straight to the heart of major-specific studies is a no-brainer. After all, why take a class in college that you have already passed in high school, spending time and other valuable resources for no reason?

However, college is about more than simply checking off a list of prerequisites. Some students may lose out on meaningful learning opportunities by rushing through their college experience in the name of efficiency.

[Learn when to enroll in college courses instead of AP, IB classes.]

In addition to acquiring a degree, college students can expect to grow via interaction with their peers. They can also expect courses that are taught at potentially higher levels than their corresponding AP or IB classes, as well as networking opportunities with instructors.

As such, it is important to weigh what you might lose against the potential benefits of spending less money and graduating sooner. Here are three scenarios when you may be better off not testing out of an AP or IB course.

1. Your potential undergraduate program uses cohorts: The role of peers in your academic trajectory is one key consideration.

Certain majors, such as business and nursing, attempt to augment students’ experiences through cohort programs. For instance, the Haas School of Business at University of California–Berkeley divides undergraduate business students into groups of roughly 60 individuals.

These programs are in part developed in recognition of the fact that most people learn better in groups. Cohort programs can enhance student engagement through interactions with and support from peers. In other words, students can rely on one another for academic and social aid.

With schools increasingly recognizing the power of peer support, should this be one aspect you weigh when deciding whether to test out of an Advanced Placement course? Consider how you best learn.

If group learning is easiest for you, avoiding the full cohort experience could be detrimental. For self-sufficient and self-motivated students, the increased contact of a cohort program could be overwhelming or distracting. Assess the difficulty of each academic program alongside your needs and wants to find an optimal solution.

[Discover four answers for parents about college-level classes in high school.]

2. Your foundational knowledge is weak: Think twice before testing out of introductory courses within your major.

A high school class may not be able to offer as much depth of knowledge as a college course. Colleges and universities may also have stronger resources, including well-equipped science labs. It is likewise critical for you to be realistic about your overall readiness for the academic pacing of higher-level college classes.

However, you should consider class size when deciding whether to enroll in 100-level courses. If you learned in a high school class of 30 or fewer students, you may feel lost in a lecture hall with several hundred students. So prepare accordingly for that difference in the experience.

[Read more about how AP and IB high school diploma programs challenge students.]

3. You want to network: It is important to enter college mindful of the fact that you should develop meaningful connections with at least two or three professors. These professors can help you open doors to career or graduate school opportunities in the future.

Don’t wait until you need a recommendation letter for a job or graduate school to think about which professors you know and value their work. Instead, you should plan to identify professors with similar interests and then use opportunities like office hours to develop meaningful connections.

When considering whether to place out of a 100-level college course through AP or IB scores, pay attention to the person who may be teaching the course. Some first-year classes are taught by graduate teaching assistants who may finish their programs and leave campus before you need a recommendation.

However, if a prominent person within that field is teaching a 100-level course, such a class could be a powerful orientation toward collegiate expectations and skills that will build the foundation for long-term success, as well as a meaningful rapport and an impressive recommendation letter.

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College-Bound Students Shouldn’t Always Test Out of Classes originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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