News & Blog

The Benefits of Balancing It All

High unemployment rates, even higher tuition costs, and the challenge of squeezing 40 hours of responsibilities (school, work, family) into each 24-hour day - it’s about time non-traditional students got some good news! As it turns out, balancing a part- or full-time job while working toward a college degree has its advantages.

Non-traditional students are a diverse group, but usually consist of adult learners over the age of 23 who not only finance their educational expenses on their own, but also work 25-40 hours per week while attending classes. Often these students are active military members, veterans, single mothers, or baby boomers. But regardless of specific situations, new information from Dr. Tracey Wilen-Daugenti, Vice President and Managing Director of Apollo Research Institute, indicates that “those who earn a college degree while employed can expect to earn on average a 22% return on their educational investment, compared to an average 12% return for traditional full-time students.” Yes, you read that correctly - by working and attending college simultaneously, you’re actually increasing the value of your education, thereby increasing your potential for success upon graduation.

As a program that helps non-traditional students from all walks of life quickly and cost efficiently earn a degree, we’re thrilled to hear that DSST test takers actually have the upper hand. We hope this information provides some comfort when the stress and frustration of doing it all becomes overwhelming.

DSST, formerly known as DANTES, is a unique college credit by exam program suited to the specific needs of non-traditional students. Though an average 3-credit college course costs around $750, earning three credits via a DSST exam costs just $80 (plus a sitting fee). What’s more, DSST tests are taken in a single sitting, and allow for studying and learning on your own time.

Which college course do you wish you could’ve taken a DSST test for instead? Tell us in the comments below!

The Benefits of Balancing It All

High unemployment rates, even higher tuition costs, and the challenge of squeezing 40 hours of responsibilities (school, work, family) into each 24-hour day - it’s about time non-traditional students got some good news! As it turns out, balancing a part- or full-time job while working toward a college degree has its advantages.

Non-traditional students are a diverse group, but usually consist of adult learners over the age of 23 who not only finance their educational expenses on their own, but also work 25-40 hours per week while attending classes. Often these students are active military members, veterans, single mothers, or baby boomers. But regardless of specific situations, new information from Dr. Tracey Wilen-Daugenti, Vice President and Managing Director of Apollo Research Institute, indicates that “those who earn a college degree while employed can expect to earn on average a 22% return on their educational investment, compared to an average 12% return for traditional full-time students.” Yes, you read that correctly - by working and attending college simultaneously, you’re actually increasing the value of your education, thereby increasing your potential for success upon graduation.

As a program that helps non-traditional students from all walks of life quickly and cost efficiently earn a degree, we’re thrilled to hear that DSST test takers actually have the upper hand. We hope this information provides some comfort when the stress and frustration of doing it all becomes overwhelming.

DSST, formerly known as DANTES, is a unique college credit by exam program suited to the specific needs of non-traditional students. Though an average 3-credit college course costs around $750, earning three credits via a DSST exam costs just $80 (plus a sitting fee). What’s more, DSST tests are taken in a single sitting, and allow for studying and learning on your own time. Which college course do you wish you could’ve taken a DSST test for instead? Tell us in the comments below!

The Veterans Upward Bound Program

If you’ve visited this blog before, you’ve no doubt read about the many challenges which veterans face when making the transition from the battlefield to the classroom. One day you’re fighting for your life and your country, and the next you’re studying for exams and trying to build a future for yourself. Each veteran copes differently, though most agree that programs tailored to the unique needs of these brave men and women can make the transition a bit easier.

The Veterans Upward Bound Program at Yavapai College is designed to help veterans with this process. The program, a non-profit organization funded by the U.S Department of Education, was established on campus in 2009. Just a handful of the many offerings available to veterans through this free program:

• Academic skills training & tutoring
• Career workshops & one-on-one counseling
• Books & other materials needed in the classroom
• Computer literacy training

"We want veterans to be more successful in their post-secondary education by providing the support and influence they need to be successful," said Deborah Pfingston, program manager of Veterans Upward Bound. "Our office is a hub for veterans on campus, a place where veterans can seek help in numerous aspects of their college career."

Because this program operates at no cost to the veterans taking advantage of it, Upward Bound helps lighten the financial burden of these non-traditional students in addition to helping them cope emotionally. Another way for veterans to significantly decrease the often sky-high costs associated with going to college is by earning credits through DSST. Though the average 3-credit course at a university in the US costs around $750, a DSST test - which, if passed, awards students those same three credits - costs just $80 (plus a sitting fee). And with 38 unique subjects from which to choose, it’s easy to find several exams to earn credit for, ultimately saving students hundreds, even thousands, of dollars.

What would you do with the money saved by earning college credit through a DSST exam? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Earning Credits Before College

Many first year students go into college without really knowing what to expect. Will their social lives be the same as in high school? How will they manage living on their own? Will they survive the workload and college level classes? These are common questions posed by millions of college students each year. In fact, according to a 2010 study conducted by The College Board, only 49% of high school seniors reported that their school did a good job in preparing them for success after high school graduation.

Because starting college can be quite a challenge, it is becoming more popular for high school students to get a leg up on graduation by earning college credits before physically stepping into a college classroom. There are several ways for a high schooler to do this: Advanced Placement (AP) classes and International Baccalaureate courses (IB) are two examples being offered to students prior to Freshman year. 

DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam) provide another opportunity for high school students to start accruing credits prior to entering college. With 38 unique subjects to choose from, a high school senior can earn credit for a three month course in just a single sitting. And while the average three-credit college course costs around $750, a DSST exam is only $80 (plus a sitting fee). Especially for high school students who worry about managing their time during their first year of college, earning credits in advance can allow for a lighter schedule during Freshman year without falling behind and requiring additional semesters to graduate. This can also help students gain a better understanding of what college-level courses and exams might be like.

A few DSST exam titles that high school students can look into taking include: Astronomy, Fundamentals of College Algebra, Here’s to Your Health, Introduction to Computing, Money and Banking and Principles of Statistics.

Have you taken advantage of college credit programs while still in high school? Tell us your story in the comments below!