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House Bill 72: A New Law for Non-Traditional Students

Non-traditional students all over the country often look to DSST tests in order to earn college credit for the knowledge they already have. But if Colorado lawmakers have their way, being awarded credit for life experiences such as relevant employment or time served in the military could soon be a state law.

Republican Rep. Tom Massey said the goal of their recently presented proposal is to allow students to graduate faster and move into the job market quicker and easier “if their experience applies to some college courses.” According to Massey, that could be “someone who has spent months in the military working on a submarine who has gained technological expertise or a writer who can get credit for an English or literature course.”

Known as House Bill 72, the proposal would direct the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to work with public colleges in order to develop a system for awarding credit for experiences by July 1, 2013.

There are a number of institutions of higher education in the state of Colorado that already grant college credit for a passing DSST exam score. These include Adams State College, Colorado Christian University, Colorado Northwestern Community College, Colorado State University, Community College of Denver, Pikes Peak Community College, Regis University, amongst others. However, the level of acceptance varies from institution to institution; from accepting just one or two exam titles for credit at a particular department within the institution, to a college-wide acceptance. The challenge is to have all Colorado institutions of higher education accept credit by examination as a viable, trusted form of prior learning assessment.

Though it is not yet known whether the bill will pass or not and what the implications of implementing the proposal might be, non-traditional students can always count on DSST to offer exams for college credit in a variety of subjects which they may already be familiar with. For just $80 per exam (plus a sitting fee), DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam) provide students the opportunity to graduate college in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost.

Do you think House Bill 72 will pass? Tell us about it in the comments below!

In-State or Out-of-State: Will the G.I. Bill Pay for My Education?

In-state or out-of-state - that is the question for many non-traditional students making plans to reenter the classroom. At first glance, the answer is clear; in-state tuition is simply less expensive. But for military veterans who want to use their G.I. Bill benefits to return to school, the solution has become a bit more complicated.

The G.I Bill was created to provide military veterans with financial assistance for earning a college degree after service. In August, however, the G.I Bill changed. According to Mark Waple, a lawyer who represents the Student Veterans Advocacy Group of North Carolina, the G.I Bill no longer pays for out-of-state tuition rates at public universities and community colleges. This means that in order to attend a public university or community college and still be fully covered by the G.I. Bill, veterans must be accepted as in-state students.

Different states come with different requirements, though many won’t classify a student as in-state until they’ve resided there for at least one year. For military veterans returning to civilian life and attempting to earn a college degree, this means paying the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, or waiting another year before enrolling. For those who have already postponed their college careers to serve their country, a year can be a long time.

Fortunately for these brave servicemen and women, DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam) provide an easy and cost-efficient alternative while they solve their in-state/out-of-state situation. By taking exams for college credit, these veterans can earn three credit hours in a single sitting, and for just $80 (plus a sitting fee). With exams in 38 different subjects, these tests can help veterans awaiting residency get a head-start on their degree and graduate faster.

Bettering the Success Rates of Non-Traditional Students

As a program that provides adult students with college credit exams so they can spend less money in tuition and more time earning a degree, Prometric’s DSST Credit by Exam Program truly understands the unique needs and responsibilities of today’s non-traditional student. That’s why we’re excited about the recent announcement from The University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) and InsideTrack regarding their partnership to engage in groundbreaking research on factors affecting nontraditional students’ success, and to promote best practices for improving higher education outcomes among adult learners.

UPCEA, the leading association for colleges and universities engaged in professional, continuing, and online education, and InsideTrack, a leading provider of student coaching, plans to conduct a unique benchmark survey, publish a joint report, and co-host an educational webinar as part of this initiative. Says Robert Hansen, CEO of UPCEA, about the partnership: "UPCEA takes very seriously our responsibility to serve as an important resource to colleges and universities serving nontraditional learners. That is why we launched our Center for Research and Consulting (CRC) and partnered with InsideTrack.” Kai Drekmeier, founder and president of InsideTrack, continues: "Our collaboration with the CRC will provide many exciting opportunities to identify how we can increase graduation rates for working adults."

This research marks a very important step in bettering the education of non-traditional students and making sure that opportunities which exist for them are geared towards their specific needs and lifestyle, much like DSST exams already are. By earning college credit through DSST, a non-traditional student can save both money and time - two especially important factors for adult learners. Adult learners just choose from one of 38 available subject exams, schedule their test, and earn a total of three college credits in a single sitting.

Veteran Students: Discovering Brotherhood in Civilian Life

Waking up in the morning to put on combat boots and a uniform and knowing how to shoot a gun is hardly a familiar experience for the average college student. But for veteran students who spent years in battle before returning to the classroom, this scenario was at one time their daily reality. Transitioning from carrying weapons to text books is a challenging adjustment for many college students who were previously active military members such as Jeramiah Poff, a U.S. Air Force veteran who provided security for Army combat convoy operations in Iraq and Kuwait in 2005 and 2006.

At age 27, Poff returned to civilian life and enrolled in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, an institution which awards credits for DSST exams. After experiencing challenges that are quite normal for veterans transitioning to college life, Poff finally found comfort in what may seem like an unlikely place - the Sigma Chi fraternity at his university. The structure and brotherhood of the fraternity, he found, was similar to his days in the military, and the emotional and mental support it provided made all the difference in his transition. "It made me become a more social person and to understand where civilians are coming from," says Poff of his membership in Sigma Chi.

Adjusting to a new schedule and environment, as Poff quickly learned, is only half the battle for veterans returning to the classroom. Key social adaptations are also necessary, and being unable to relate to peers can even result in failing grades or dropping out of school all together. That’s why Poff’s decision to join a fraternity was a smart one. Other similar support systems found at universities include clubs, pre-professional organizations, and sports teams. Veterans who take advantage of these organized social opportunities may experience a smoother transition, better performance in the classroom, and most importantly, a faster path to graduation.

DSST exams (formerly known as the DANTES exam) provide non-traditional students with the unique opportunity to earn college credits for the knowledge they already have via one-time tests in 38 different subjects - each of which can help veterans take one more step towards earning a degree and entering the workforce.