Comments on: How Much Does College Cost? 2 Tips to Save $30,000. http://wealthpilgrim.com/two-steps-to-save-an-additional-55012-on-college-costs/ WealthPilgrim.com -No Money Worries. No Matter What. Wed, 30 May 2012 00:03:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Neal Frankle http://wealthpilgrim.com/two-steps-to-save-an-additional-55012-on-college-costs/#comment-1582 Neal Frankle Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:10:43 +0000 http://wealthpilgrim.com/?p=3194#comment-1582 Revanche, I love your comments. I completely agree. Great attitude! Revanche,

I love your comments. I completely agree. Great attitude!

]]> By: Revanche http://wealthpilgrim.com/two-steps-to-save-an-additional-55012-on-college-costs/#comment-1575 Revanche Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:55:53 +0000 http://wealthpilgrim.com/?p=3194#comment-1575 Definitely encourage them to take AP courses and PASS the tests. A passing score is 3 (of 5), but the higher the score, the more likely the higher-rated colleges will accept them as college credit. You can knock off a good number of electives that way, saving time, and a LOT of money. I was spared about 3-5 classes at a Cal State, and had the added benefit of allowing me to graduate in four years at a school known for 5 year grads. [The 5 year average has to do with the competitive engineering/aerospace departments skewing the numbers. Classes are small throughout the university, so it's tough to get everything you need within the 4 years. And I think many students skip summer school.] Summer school is also a great option. Not only were the classes concentrated to 2-4 hour sessions twice a week, you could complete a quarter in 6 weeks instead of 11. That left me a half a summer to work full time to pay for my next quarter of school! I'm not sure that fairness comes into play here. Being fiscally responsible is your child's responsibility - they are usually 18 and considered adults in the eyes of the law by the time they're attending college and they're responsible for not squandering the opportunity that college offers, and not squandering limited financial resources. If they have the ability to do that by accelerating or more efficiently scheduling their courses, they have the responsibility to do so. Definitely encourage them to take AP courses and PASS the tests. A passing score is 3 (of 5), but the higher the score, the more likely the higher-rated colleges will accept them as college credit. You can knock off a good number of electives that way, saving time, and a LOT of money. I was spared about 3-5 classes at a Cal State, and had the added benefit of allowing me to graduate in four years at a school known for 5 year grads. [The 5 year average has to do with the competitive engineering/aerospace departments skewing the numbers. Classes are small throughout the university, so it's tough to get everything you need within the 4 years. And I think many students skip summer school.]

Summer school is also a great option. Not only were the classes concentrated to 2-4 hour sessions twice a week, you could complete a quarter in 6 weeks instead of 11. That left me a half a summer to work full time to pay for my next quarter of school!

I’m not sure that fairness comes into play here. Being fiscally responsible is your child’s responsibility – they are usually 18 and considered adults in the eyes of the law by the time they’re attending college and they’re responsible for not squandering the opportunity that college offers, and not squandering limited financial resources.

If they have the ability to do that by accelerating or more efficiently scheduling their courses, they have the responsibility to do so.

]]> By: spaces http://wealthpilgrim.com/two-steps-to-save-an-additional-55012-on-college-costs/#comment-1562 spaces Sat, 08 Aug 2009 21:15:24 +0000 http://wealthpilgrim.com/?p=3194#comment-1562 Some JCs offer short, intense courses during local unis winter or summer break times, where the class typically meets 4 hours a day, 4 to 5 days a week for 3 weeks. It's only practical to take one class at a time, but if you can knock out a required class by taking it over your winter break, you just saved yourself some $. Some JCs offer short, intense courses during local unis winter or summer break times, where the class typically meets 4 hours a day, 4 to 5 days a week for 3 weeks. It’s only practical to take one class at a time, but if you can knock out a required class by taking it over your winter break, you just saved yourself some $.

]]> By: Neal http://wealthpilgrim.com/two-steps-to-save-an-additional-55012-on-college-costs/#comment-1348 Neal Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:03:12 +0000 http://wealthpilgrim.com/?p=3194#comment-1348 Great advice. Wondering why nobody talks about that to students....I will have to ask my daughter about this one. Great advice. Wondering why nobody talks about that to students….I will have to ask my daughter about this one.

]]> By: ObliviousInvestor http://wealthpilgrim.com/two-steps-to-save-an-additional-55012-on-college-costs/#comment-1328 ObliviousInvestor Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:40:38 +0000 http://wealthpilgrim.com/?p=3194#comment-1328 Many schools give out full-tuition scholarships for National Merit finalists. My advice: Nail the PSAT. Study like crazy. It's very likely the single most important test a student will take in his/her entire life, and yet most students don't study for it at all. National Merit scholarships are based first upon the PSAT, then the SAT. (You only get to take the PSAT once. If your score on that was high enough, you can take the SAT several times and simply use your highest score for trying to qualify for National Merit.) Many schools give out full-tuition scholarships for National Merit finalists.

My advice: Nail the PSAT. Study like crazy. It’s very likely the single most important test a student will take in his/her entire life, and yet most students don’t study for it at all.

National Merit scholarships are based first upon the PSAT, then the SAT. (You only get to take the PSAT once. If your score on that was high enough, you can take the SAT several times and simply use your highest score for trying to qualify for National Merit.)

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