Save Money with Dual Enrollment!
Hey there,
Let me tell you about this amazing tip from our teenage finances guru, Eva at TeensGotCents. Honestly, her dedication to being financially smart always motivates me to do more.
This all started when Eva’s mom decided to learn about managing her money better and borrowed ‘The Total Money Makeover’ by Dave Ramsey. Unwillingly, Eva got hooked as she found herself listening to the audio version during her daily car rides. She found the concepts very relatable, which got her thinking about her own financial plans, specifically her big dream of graduating from college without debt.
Eva was always a good student, but she struggled with standardized tests. Big scholarship opportunities seemed unlikely, but she was hell-bent on finding other ways to reduce her college costs—enter “dual enrollment.”
Most community colleges offer dual enrollment—a program that allows high schoolers to take college classes while finishing high school. Here’s what you need to know:
1) You must be at least 16 years old.
2) You should be a junior or senior in high school.
3) You need to qualify through the SAT, ACT, or other standardized tests.
Then the college guides you to the classes that fulfill both your high school and college requirements. This could include general education courses such as English Composition, College Algebra, Biology, or US Federal Government. The cool part is, most of the time, this tuition is FREE!
Many students graduate high school with a mess of college credits. They get ahead in their college education without spending a dime. For Eva, it meant saving $744.26 in tuition alone for her first semester. Amazing, right?
Keep in mind, though, rules for dual enrollment vary from one college to another. It’s essential to be well-informed. Arrange a meeting with a dual enrollment counselor at least six to nine months before you plan to attend classes to cover all the bases. If you’re a student-athlete hoping for a scholarship, be careful! Dual enrollment can change your status with the NCAA.
Dual enrollment isn’t for everyone. You have to be ready for the demands of college-level work, and you’re the one who’ll communicate directly with the professors and admins—no parental help!
Still, dual enrollment is a fantastic, cost-effective opportunity. Imagine earning college credits for free while still in high school—it doesn’t get better than that!
So, are you excited to save up on those college costs? Remember, being smart with money involves research, so be sure to do yours.
Take care,
Eva
FYI, Eva is an awesome high school student passionate about all things financial planning. She shares her journey and insights on TeensGotCents.com. Keep up with her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter too!