How can I fund my CLEPS?

[SweetSecret]

Like blood plasma.:p

I've actually started looking into this. It doesn't pay well though. Apparently selling bone marrow pays a lot more, & plasma can be an option too. From what I've found, doctors prefer donations for patients, thinking that if it donated without incentive that the blood/marrow/plasma is less likely to contain disease. However, some places use these for bio-testing, & will pay pretty decent.

Also, look into scholarships, as someof them will cover testing.

[cookderosa]

I've actually started looking into this. It doesn't pay well though. Apparently selling bone marrow pays a lot more, & plasma can be an option too. From what I've found, doctors prefer donations for patients, thinking that if it donated without incentive that the blood/marrow/plasma is less likely to contain disease. However, some places use these for bio-testing, & will pay pretty decent.

Also, look into scholarships, as someof them will cover testing.

If you live near a research university, you can absolutely be paid for your time if you'd do a study/trial. I work for a research university that studies nutrition, so my husband and son routinely come to work (though not on my study) and participate in various studies that they qualify for. One time studies that take an hour or two can pay about $50. The study I work for pays participants $400 to come and eat my food lol. In addition, they are currently recruiting males that meet certain criteria for a study that pays $600 for just a few visits to the campus. There are lots of options for the motivated!

[LaterBloomer]

Sometimes forum posters will mention discounts (around $10) on DSSTs. There may be discounts for CLEPs, but I'm not sure. Also, check out the testing location. The DeVry institute near my home didn't charge for tests. When places do charge, it can vary quite a bit. Is it possible to take a room mate? If you want it, you can find a way to make it happen.

[UptonSinclair]

If I qualified for financial aid, I would stick to the traditional route at an affordable online school like Fort Hays.

[dewisant]

If you have a car payment...lose it ASAP. Same with cable/dish and eating out. Putting a CLEP/DSST/ECE test on a credit card every 2 weeks and paying it off or way down at the end of each and every month will get this done. 3/4 of my BA is by testing alone and cost me under $3,500 for the 25 tests. My employer paid for classes and my annual student fee. You might try extending your goal out a little bit just to enjoy the journey.

[dfrecore]

I second the "do the free/cheap stuff first" approach. I went and took all of my ALEKS math courses first (Int. Alg, College Alg, PreCalc & Statistics). Then, FEMA. Now working on TEEX. Will move onto Saylor. Finally, once I'm done with everything free, then cheap, I can find, I will finish up the $100 options ($80 for CLEP/DSST + $20 proctor fee, or $111 for TECEP exams).

I also don't only like to study from flashcards, so I have bought used textbooks through Amazon for about $4-$10 each (as low as $.01 + $3.99 shipping), that way I can take them with me while waiting for kids at swimming or soccer.

If I didn't have the money, and I was single, I would definitely go get a 2nd job. I actually once took a 2nd job just to keep myself unavailable to go out with my friends so much and spend money I didn't have. I worked at a men's clothing store, so I wouldn't be temped to spend that paycheck either!

It's also a little more motivating to have a bunch of credits under your belt. When you have a million credits left to go, it's more difficult to find the money for an exam. But, once you get some cheap/free credits, and it feels more doable, you will start to find ways to cut back/earn more to pay for those exams because the finish line is so much closer.

Good luck!