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You can buy used CLEP study guides online (check out half.com, Amazon, Brnes and Noble, etc.) or at most bookstores for fairly cheap. I think mine for the Sociology CLEP was $28 new, but you can find them used for much cheaper.
And the CLEPs aren't EC tests either---- they are exams that people can take to "test out" of a course. It's a pass or fail. If you pass, EC will give you the credits for that course. EC does not give these exams though. Check with your local colleges. CLEP also has a main website that I can't think of off the top of my head. It shows all of the colleges in the U.S. that give CLEPs. If no one else knows the main CLEP website I can do some digging tonight and find it.
Dantes exams are also an easy way to test out of gen ed courses. They're very similar to CLEPs. I know that EC used to accept them. Maybe check to see if they still do.
Dixie---- I know what you're talking about with the need for financial aid. Unfortunately that's how many of these publishing companies snag in new students--- by offering them financial aid loans, some being interest free. For some people that's the only way to be able to afford the program. But if you go straight through EC for your study materials by using the free content guides, and invest in a couple of used texts, all you'll be paying for (besides enrollment fee) are the exams. If you take one every couple of months, that might give you time to save up for each one? Also like Deej said, check out loans with EC. They do have them. I don't know details but I'm sure their website or someone at EC can answer questions you have.
There will be a way for you to do it. Have faith.
As the other person said excel courses just prepare you with the knowledge to take the clep or Excelsior exams. BTW--I don't believe you can clep A&P, you have to take the Excelsior exam. Regardless, Excel is rather suspect (at least to me a company that poses as students make their rep rather tarnished). I took all my generals at my local CC and was awarded plenty of financial aid. My advice is do it through excelsior or buy used material from other students/ebay.
Kim
Originally Posted by deej
Just do a search here for Excel Advantage and see for yourself. And do they REALLY provide financial aid? Certainly not for Excelsior's fees.
Excelsior does have some loan programs, look on their website.
Dixie---- I know what you're talking about with the need for financial aid. Unfortunately that's how many of these publishing companies snag in new students--- by offering them financial aid loans, some being interest free. For some people that's the only way to be able to afford the program. But if you go straight through EC for your study materials by using the free content guides, and invest in a couple of used texts, all you'll be paying for (besides enrollment fee) are the exams. If you take one every couple of months, that might give you time to save up for each one? Also like Deej said, check out loans with EC. They do have them. I don't know details but I'm sure their website or someone at EC can answer questions you have.
There will be a way for you to do it. Have faith.
Yes, I know what a DANTES is also. Took them for some computer courses I tested out of.
It's not the $150 or so every few months so much as it is the (what was it) $800 to get enrolled and the 1500 for the clinical. Add that to the 150 every few months with insidentals for study guides and references every few months and you come up with a lot of money coming out every payday. I'm an LPN remember. Underpaid and underappreciated! LOL
Yes, I know what a DANTES is also. Took them for some computer courses I tested out of.
It's not the $150 or so every few months so much as it is the (what was it) $800 to get enrolled and the 1500 for the clinical. Add that to the 150 every few months with insidentals for study guides and references every few months and you come up with a lot of money coming out every payday. I'm an LPN remember. Underpaid and underappreciated! LOL
I think you can divide the $800 or so enrollment fee into a few payments. Yes, the clinical fee looks like a lot, besides traveling, for many of us, to another state to take it. But for some it's still better deal than having pay for gas and childcare to go to class everyday, with all the stress and deadlines of a classroom program. But you have to be motivated to get somewhere on your own. For me, I am attracted to EC because I just graduated from a PN program, and I can't see myself going to school somewhere fulltime another year. I want to take classes part-time and work fulltime to help support my large family.
I think you can divide the $800 or so enrollment fee into a few payments. Yes, the clinical fee looks like a lot, besides traveling, for many of us, to another state to take it. But for some it's still better deal than having pay for gas and childcare to go to class everyday, with all the stress and deadlines of a classroom program. But you have to be motivated to get somewhere on your own. For me, I am attracted to EC because I just graduated from a PN program, and I can't see myself going to school somewhere fulltime another year. I want to take classes part-time and work fulltime to help support my large family.
Yes, you can divide it into 3 payments. Still not going to work for me financially. My budget is very tight. (Tighter now that I got hurt at work but that should resolve in a couple of months and after a few more I will be caught up.) But even after I am caught up I have to get back to the repairs this old house needs. Really needs. I did buy within my means and that doesn't buy much and it sure ties up all extra money for quite a fews years intot he future.
I simply can't put more out until the income goes up. And that pretty much means student loan.
Excelsior does ofer a Plato loan. It is a type of student loan and I believe you can apply for the amount that will cover all the expenses. Try calling excelsior and asking for the financial aid department--they can tell you the best options for you. Call in the morning and see what they say.
Good luck,
Kim
Originally Posted by Dixiedi
Yes, you can divide it into 3 payments. Still not going to work for me financially. My budget is very tight. (Tighter now that I got hurt at work but that should resolve in a couple of months and after a few more I will be caught up.) But even after I am caught up I have to get back to the repairs this old house needs. Really needs. I did buy within my means and that doesn't buy much and it sure ties up all extra money for quite a fews years intot he future.
I simply can't put more out until the income goes up. And that pretty much means student loan.
Yes, you can divide it into 3 payments. Still not going to work for me financially. My budget is very tight. (Tighter now that I got hurt at work but that should resolve in a couple of months and after a few more I will be caught up.) But even after I am caught up I have to get back to the repairs this old house needs. Really needs. I did buy within my means and that doesn't buy much and it sure ties up all extra money for quite a fews years intot he future.
I simply can't put more out until the income goes up. And that pretty much means student loan.
I'm sorry to hear you got hurt and every thing about uour house. And I know what it is to buy a "fixer upper" More fixer than upper for a long time. I think
you can divide the enrollment fee into 6 payments, if that helps any. Call EC to find out for sure.
Even if you can't enroll right away, maybe you can still round up some affordable material to study in the meantime? Just an idea.
I'm sorry to hear you got hurt and every thing about uour house. And I know what it is to buy a "fixer upper" More fixer than upper for a long time. I think
you can divide the enrollment fee into 6 payments, if that helps any. Call EC to find out for sure.
Even if you can't enroll right away, maybe you can still round up some affordable material to study in the meantime? Just an idea.
I never stop studying. Would be a carreer student if the money wsa there. There are all sorts of things one can study for free and gain certification for not too much. I am, besides an LPN, a certified webmaster, proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, certified in the use of several graphics editors/flash and only had to pay for the certification tests, learned everything free or near free.
But I really want to finally finish the RN. Sometimes i think, it's only a couple bucks an hour, and it would take that much to pay for any loans taken to get the AD. So I dismiss it for a few weeks; but it always comes back. I waited so long for the opportunity to return and finish. DARN! I'll find the money someplace. Has to be laon that doesn't need repaid until I complete the course so that won't exactly be easy to find, but someplace out there.....
That's right--- a way will be found. I echo the others when they suggested calling the EC financial aid dept. Give it a whirl.
Plus, there are scholarships up the butt out there...... strange ones. There are some for the children of former police officers, children of great grandparents who came from Romania, people whos neighbor's aunt's dog's former owner had a kidney transplant in Boston. Made that one up, but you get the idea. Do a little surfing and see what's out there.
I don't suppose your employer offers tuition reimbursement?
I am a new student to the Excelsior program. I am also a professional fire fighter and a full time father and husband. I have been able to minimize the number of required classes to 10 to complete my degree and my first class is Dev. Psych (Life-Span). I have found this program to be challenging, especially since I have not been in school for about 20 years.
My question is, when studying for the exam, what is the best material to review? Is it the text cover to cover, the chapter reviews, the chapter progress tests or a complete complement of all the above mentioned?
Please Help!!!
Steven
Hello, my name is Amado I am also a student at excelsior college, I want to know if anyone has ever used cliffs study guides to pass the A&P, micro?? Pleae let me know. Thanks
no college credit for courses from excel
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