How can I fund my CLEPS?

[Bonz]

Hello all, I am trying to get my degree in hopefully 9 months or less by taking CLEPS and other exams. However there is one problem, funding of this? How does one do that? Can I apply for FAFSA or a pell grant? Currently I'm just a wage slave at a big box store and all my money goes to rent, bills and whatever is left for food. If I can't do that, is it possible to pay this through loans like from a bank or maybe a credit card?

[alleycat]

Well like anything it takes planning. Some people use the rest of their fin aid to fund testing. Other people cut back on things and do it one test at a time. A Second job for a while perhaps might help. Sell something you don't need anylonger. But pell grants and loans can not be taken out for testing. It's for enrollment and classes. I believe if there is a will there is a way. You can figure this out. In the mean time if your math credits are not find try Aleks it's only 20 per month. Also Saylor has some courses that are free and all you need to pay is the proctor fee. There are ways to do this. Start with one test at a time. Also COSC still accepts FEMA and those are free.

[defscarlett]

Hello all, I am trying to get my degree in hopefully 9 months or less by taking CLEPS and other exams. However there is one problem, funding of this? How does one do that? Can I apply for FAFSA or a pell grant? Currently I'm just a wage slave at a big box store and all my money goes to rent, bills and whatever is left for food. If I can't do that, is it possible to pay this through loans like from a bank or maybe a credit card?

I fund my edu-habit by taking online courses through a college and getting Financial Aid from the courses. All of my left over money goes towards nontraditional credits (CBE, SL etc). You cannot get Financial Aid solely for taking exams, which is why I take the online courses. You could potentially get the money through a bank loan or credit card, picking up a 2nd job. ( the holidays are just around the corner, lots of temp work available) It's really your choice.

[JTP]

Sell something you don't need anylonger.

Like blood plasma.:p

[cookderosa]

Start a coin jar. I did this and it works really well! Make a goal of selling 1 thing per week on Craigslist/ebay and put the money in the jar with all your coins. Study so that as soon as you get $80 you're ready to go!

[alleycat]

Start a coin jar. I did this and it works really well! Make a goal of selling 1 thing per week on Craigslist/ebay and put the money in the jar with all your coins. Study so that as soon as you get $80 you're ready to go!

Great advise! It's not impossible. It's so true how quickly change adds up.

[cstock]

Hi, Look at your expenses and I am sure there are areas that you can reduce expenses. Get rid of cable for the next 9 months, reduce cell phone minutes, dont go out to eat and avoid fast food. It wont be easy and it wont be fun but its a short term (9 months) bummer for a longer term success!! You can do it!!!!

[SKMDC]

Does your job offer assistance for education? My old job did and they paid for many of my CLEPs and DSSTs.

[AlbaTiVo]

Does your job offer assistance for education? My old job did and they paid for many of my CLEPs and DSSTs.

My employer did, but would not pay for tests, so when I took a course I would sell the text book, which they would pay for, and used the money from that to fund tests.

[bricabrac]

Knowing your supervisor had to sign off on you taking courses, maybe talk to your supervisor regarding expensing the exams? The tuition reimbursement program usually only covers tuition, fees and books. At the companies I've worked it always came out of the departments budget. I was allowed to separately expense any educational incidentals; including DSST/CLEP exams, required software, and office supplies. Prometric, College Board and the testing centers all provide necessary receipts.