CLEP helps you receive college credit for what you already know, for a fraction of the cost of a college course. Developed by the College Board, CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program, available at more than 2,900 colleges and universities. Pass any of the 33 CLEP exams and achieve your college and career goals. 

By taking any of the 33 College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) exams, you can minimize the time it takes to graduate, and seriously reduce the cost. 

Developed by the College Board, CLEP has been the most widely trusted credit-by-examination program for over 40 years, accepted by 2,900 colleges and universities and administered in over 1,700 test centers.

By receiving a satisfactory score on a CLEP exam, you can:

• Save money: At $77, CLEP is a fraction of the tuition and fees for a college course.
• Reduce student loans: CLEP can lower the burden of college loans by eliminating the cost for one or more courses.
• Earn credit: A satisfactory score on any of the 33 CLEP exams can earn you up to 12 college credits.
• Accelerate and graduate: Taking CLEP exams early can help you fulfill the requirements of his or her major more quickly.

Credit policies vary from school to school, so it’s important to research the policies at the colleges you are interested in attending or the one you are currently attending.

A recent article, College Grads vs. Non-Grads and Unemployment Statistics, by Terry Caron and edited by Elizabeth Wistrom, they demonstrate the value of a college degree on one’s ability to maintain a job.     

A comparison of college graduates vs. non-college graduates unemployment statistics to identify if there is a difference in unemployment numbers for those with a college education and those without. Great information if you are thinking about going back to school or furthering your education.  With unemployment in double-digit percentages across the country many students and adults are considering furthering their education. Many are taking advantage of programs that help fund education and

others are looking for better opportunities in various career fields. With this in mind one question comes to the foreground of this subject. What impact does a degree have with the chances of being unemployed? Is it beneficial to have a college degree to help avoid being unemployed? We are going to take a look at graduates vs. non-college graduates unemployment statistics, to decide if a college degree helps people hold their jobs.

 Note. Statistics are pulled from the US Dept. of Labor and based on comparisons between 2009 and 2010 monthly statistics. The quoted figures are numbers in thousands.

 Those Without a High School Education

We first look at the civilian population, over 25, without a high school education. Between 2009 and 2010, there are 11,900 to 12,400 members of this demographic in the workforce. From this group, 9000 to 10,500 were employed and 1700 to 2000 were unemployed for a percentage average of 15% unemployed. Now we will compare that to high school graduates.

 Those With a High School Diploma

In 2009 and 2010 there were 37,700 to 38,900 civilians over the age of 25 with a high school diploma and no college in the workforce. Of those, an average of 3500 to 4500 was unemployed. This equals about 9.4% to 11.2% unemployment in 2009 to 2010. As you can see we are already observing a trend between the amount of education and its impact on unemployed. Let’s take a look at those with some college or an associate’s degree.

 Some College or Associates Degree

There were 36,600 to 36,800 people over the age of 25 with some college or an associate’s degree in the workforce. 2900 to 3300 were unemployed in 2009 and 2010. This makes the percentages equal to 8.0 to 9.0 percent unemployment. Looking at these numbers and the clear trend that is forming it is viable to conclude that the chances of staying employed can be increased with education. Now we will look at college graduates to see if this trend continues.

 College Graduates

The civilian population with college degrees in the workforce from 2009 to 2010 was 45,500 to 49,000. Of these categories, 2000 to 2280 were unemployed at a percentage of 4.4 to 5.0% of this total demographic. Based on the trending we see for college graduates vs non-college graduates unemployment statistics, it is safe to say that members of the civilian workforce, over the age of 25, with a college degree, have a better chance of keeping their job than those without. In fact, almost twice as many college graduates were able to keep their jobs as opposed to those with less education.

 Does this mean that a college education is worth the time and money? That still depends on the individual.  However, this is a good argument for getting one.

 Resources

http://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpseea5.pdf

http://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpseea17.pdf

It is suppose to be an easier and more seamless process — students often get their need-based grant and loan aid all directly through a college’s financial aid office as well.  

While there are subsidized federal Stafford loans based on need and offering up to $20,500 per year depending on the degree and years in school, others may qualify for an unsubsidized Stafford loan to supplement work study, grants, and scholarships.

Generally, subsidized loans, offering fixed rates at just 3.4% now, are made available to those with less than $50,000 in income, phasing out at about $100,000. With subsidized loans, interest does not start accruing until after the student graduates or leaves college. Unsubsidized loans, with rates at 6.8%, start accruing interest immediately. Neither loan type requires payments until 6 months after college.

The point to take away is, the biggest mistake families make in the college application and financial aid process and is separating the two.  Do not wait until you’re accepted to a college or university and then try to figure out how you’re going to pay for it.  

Financial considerations have to be planned for in conjunction with shopping for the right school.    

 “College endowments have taken big hits and state support is drying up in states like California,” said Allen Grove, author of the About.com Admissions Guide and a professor at Alfred University in western New York. “It’s like a train wreck.”

Grove said there are several moves parents can make to boost their chances of getting financial support. The biggest one? Don’t wait.

Too often families confuse the federal and state deadlines for financial aid applications. But worse, they forget that scholarship deadlines often start even earlier.

State deadlines are almost always earlier, he said. Some are as early as March while the federal deadline is at the end of June.

One of the common misconceptions is that scholarship applications coincide with financial aid applications, but that’s not the case.

In fact, you may actually boost your chances of getting scholarship support if you start ahead of the normal financial aid season.

“A lot of students and parents aren’t thinking about financial aid yet and should be,” says Grove. “To really get the edge, you need to start now — and earlier than the FAFSA deadlines.”

Places to search for scholarships include Cappex.com, which has an inventory of all merit scholarships, FastWeb.com, Scholarships.com, and CollegeBoard.com.

You’ll also want to move early on financial aid. That’s because, as Grove said, a lot of financial aid is on a first-come, first-served basis.

“If a college is really interested in a student, they’ll attempt to put together a good aid package early. If you wait until May, the dollars may have dwindled.”

 Fall/Winter Junior Year

 1  Analyze Your EFC

 Your Expected Family Contribution is that magic number that drives need-based assistance (more on that later).  What you’ll be expected to pay as a family impacts the college selection process.

 2  Begin Exploring Career Options

 Take Interest Inventory Tests.  Do informational interviews.  Aside from all those personal and social reasons for choosing a college, career choice certainly has some bearing on which schools provide the education to support that career goal.

 3  Begin Exploring Schools

 Take a look at the multitude of options using your EFC, career interests, and personal qualification and considerations.

 4  Begin Investigating Private Scholarships

 As discussed later in this book, the amount of time you spend chasing private money depends a great deal on whether you establish need.  That’s why we calculate the EFC at the very beginning.

 5  Make Financial Adjustments

 You will need to make any necessary financial adjustments by the end of the year.  Once you cross over to the New Year, the student is in the base year for need-based financial aid eligibility.  Anything you do financially after that point on may have an impact on the amount of financial assistance that is provided.

 Spring Junior Year

 6.  Continue Exploring Career Options

 Remember to tie career to required college degree and major.

 7.  Continue Exploring Private Scholarships

 8.  Continue Exploring Schools

 Remember to evaluate potential schools according to your determined criteria. 

Arrange to visit some of the campuses during the upcoming summer vacation.  You can take this word of advice to the bank. Don’t buy sight unseen.

Fall Senior Year

9.  Select 10-12 Schools

Try to finalize a broad selection of colleges (10-12) by this time based on general educational and financial parameters.

10.  Write for Information

Write a brief letter to the admissions and financial aid offices to request information.  Use the opportunity to include a short biographical sketch.  Keep in mind that what we are involved in is a marketing campaign, to get accepted and to get financial aid.

11.  Reevaluate Your EFC

This is necessary to determine if there have been changes that may require a shift in your selection of colleges and universities.  Make note of why any major changes occurred.  This may come in handy later when speaking with the financial aid office.

12.  Trim Your List to 6-8 Schools

By mid-October your list of colleges should narrow to 6 to 8 based on specific educational, financial, and personal criteria you have specifically defined.

13.  Apply

Try to submit all of your applications by mid-December.  We will discuss early decision and early action in Chapter 8.  While normal application deadlines are after the first of the year, you’ll be a leg up on your competition by getting your applications in prior to the holidays.

14.  Prepare for CSS Profile and FAFSA

You will need to get a jump on things if you’re one of those hold outs that still does everything by paper rather than Internet.  Go ahead and register for the CSS Profile so that you can have your application in hand by January 1^st.  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be available in paper form in the career center of your high school by mid-December.  If you plan on filing your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile applications via the Internet, you are set until January 1^st.

 Winter Senior Year

 15.  FAFSA and CSS Profile Applications

 Complete whichever applications you need as soon after January 1st as possible. You can estimate your tax information and correct it later.

 16.  Continue Applying for Private Scholarships

 Private scholarships are often available for any year of college.  The search for money can and should be an ongoing process.

 Spring Senior Year

 17.  Correct FAFSA and CSS Profile Data

 You may need to update the information you previously submitted.  Some schools may ask for additional documentation such as tax forms or their own documents to collect additional financial and personal information.

 18.  Receive and Compare Award Letters

 With acceptance letters come financial aid offerings from those colleges and universities.  You’ll want to compare them to see where you’re getting the most assistance.

 19.  Talk to the Financial Aid Offices

 Initiate the flow of information to the financial aid offices and negotiate the aid package if appropriate.  In other words, talk to the college if there is information they need to know that the financial aid forms didn’t capture.  Do your homework before asking for more money.

 20.  Choose Your School

 Decide on your school and accept admission and their aid offering.  It’s always good form to decline the other schools in writing.

 21.  Form Your Financial Plan

 Decide how the family is going to pay their part of the bill.  This is where some financial planning comes in handy, comparing interest rates, investment growth, and budget constraints.

 As pointed out earlier, this same process can be accomplished in a shorter time period and can be adopted by families with a senior in high school.  What is important is to follow the procedure and to make the application and financial aid deadlines for submission.

These are all very good question, and parents wouldn’t be very sharp consumers if they didn’t seek answers to them. Families continue to do business with us at an increasing rate so there must be a reason. And that reason is the Campus Financial Advantage.

Let’s address those consumer questions:

Why can’t you do all this college stuff yourself? Well, the fact of the matter is, you can. You can if have the time and the inclination to. If you look at the trend today in service industries, growth is spiraling. Why—because families, parents in particular, are finding that there is truth in the adage, time is money. As consumers we are hiring people to do the things we used to do ourselves, we’re eating out more instead of spending time in the kitchen—it’s the way we live today.

Do you have the time necessary to do the job of college and financial aid planning correctly? Do you even feel compelled to tackle it, or will you just throw up your arms in dismay and take a second mortgage, destroy your retirement accounts, or worse, send your student to a school that is totally wrong for them educationally.

Here’s a great comparison: A lot of folks hire certified public accountants to save them a few dollars on their tax bill. Hiring Campus Financial could save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars in college costs.

Why should we hire you? We alluded to the one good reason in the answer to the first question. We can most likely help you save
money on your college bills. That’s easy to say, you reply. Well, consider there are over 3000 colleges and universities nationwide, most of which are fighting for good students. Consider the thousands of high school seniors that apply each year to those schools. Lastly, consider the under-paid admissions officer who has to decide who gets accepted and the over-worked financial aid administrator who has to decide of those accepted, who gets the aid.

Now how do you decide which schools to apply to, how to make your student stand out above the rest of the herd applying and get the attention of the financial aid administrator so they understand why your family should receive more assistance than another? Every college and university is different in terms of how each has historically distributed aid, and the policies regarding financial aid awards differ. That’s not to mention the obvious differences of educational programs, life-style and environment

There’s more ways to waste money on college than there are ways to save. Making the wrong decisions can create additional cost unnecessarily. Campus Financial can guide you through the land mines of college and financial aid planning, and get you the best dollar value.

What sort of return on the dollar can Campus Financial guarantee you? Let’s answer that with another question. What sort of dollar guarantee does your CPA give you at tax time? Does your broker guarantee your investments will provide a
certain rate of return? Of course not. First,
They can’t and if they do, they’re in violation of their professional codes. The fact of the matter is there are too many variables, year to year, to know exactly how things will turn out. College and university policies change. The profile of the freshman class fluctuates. The amount of funding available changes. The number of applicants vary year to year. And then there’s the family’s financial circumstance—will it remain consistent?

Campus Financial can guarantee that it will use its resources, expertise and experience to assist you in doing the right things in the right way at the right time to ensure you the maximum financial aid possible. It’s a process and one that is proven time and again.

What can Campus Financial provide that you can’t find on the internet? Well, to be quite honest—nothing. All you have to do is log on to the internet and search for college or scholarship and you will get more matches than you care to imagine. Hey, try financial aid and you’ll get 31,910 matches. We know, we looked! How long would it take you to weed through all those sites? Days? Weeks? Everything you wanted to know about colleges financial aid planning
is out there just waiting for you to download it and fill your dining room table with reams of information.

So what are you going to do with all that great information once you have it? How are you going to categorize it, sort it, analysis it? How are you going to make it mean something to your student? How are you going to bring some focus to it? Information is not a problem today—it’s managing it that’s the challenge and often the ruin of good intentions. Parents and students become overwhelmed by the volumes of information and in frustration, take the easy way out—let the system decide for you.

Campus Financial is equipped with cutting edge software and hardware to provide you the kind of information management that, coupled with our knowledge and experience, brings focus and meaning to the college search and financial aid process.

It’s not magic, it’s just getting the job done and done right—that’s the Campus Financial Advantage.

This appreciation in cost combined with the unemployment rate of recent college graduates and the increasing student loan burden, makes it even more critical that families take the time to think through the college process. The investment is great and the prospects of finding employment and a sustainable career path are narrowing. Parents and students must begin to have serious conversations about the costs and the anticipated return of a college education. It may be a better option to pursue technical training. Think about it.

The landscape is changing and our perceptions of education and how it emboldens our competitiveness in market place must change as well.

Do the research and look at the options. Is the student an artist? Instead of being a painting major, look at taking that creativity to the technical side and marry it with web design. Enroll in community college for two years and then transfer to a four- year school. It will save thousands of dollars and the diploma will still have the four- year college name on it. Shop for the best deal. What schools provide the student an opportunity to receive merit-based financial aid? Look for strong internship programs.

A college education has to be a value proposition.

It is important to maintain and improve your grades during your junior year. Grades can make the difference in whether you receive scholarships and grants. Work to improve your vocabulary, reading and math skills-achievement test scores are also very important for both admission and financial aid. Start a personal file to document your achievements, awards, community service, sports, club and school activities.

September:

 Register to take your PSAT.
 Use the career center to explore educational and career opportunities available to you.
 Get more involved in extracurricular activities

October/November:

 Take your PSAT in October.
 Discuss your family’s financial resources. Obtain an estimate of your EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC) and determine adjustments to increase financial aid eligibility.
 Start a list of college characteristics that are important to you.

December:

 Register for January SAT.
 Attend local meetings about financial aid or college admissions. Take final steps to increase financial aid eligibility.

January:

 BASE YEAR FOR FINANCIAL AID BEGINS.
 Determine colleges and universities to explore based on admission requirements, educational programs and cost vs. your family’s financial aid eligibility and ability to pay.
 Take your SAT.

February/March:

 Register for May achievement tests in February.
 Spring break is a good time for college visits.
 E-mail colleges for information about admissions and financial aid. Include brief information about yourself.

April/May:

 Attend college fairs.
 Check admission requirements against your own course of studies.
 Take achievement tests in May.

June/July/August:

 Make a list of people who might write a letter of recommendation (teachers, counselors, employers).
 Visit colleges going or coming from vacation spots.
 Narrow your college list to 6-8 based on scholastic, financial aid and personal criteria.
 Start working on your personal essay and other writing requirements for the colleges you plan to apply to.
 Register with the NCAA if you’re an athlete
 It’s not too early to start looking for private scholarships.

http://www.beacontree.org/docs/henrico-flyer.pdf

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/108940