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What is CLEP?

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP), is a program administered by the College Board that allows students to save time and money by earning college credit for knowledge they already have from work experience, AP classes or independent study. Upon passing a CLEP exam, students can earn college credit at more than 2,900 institutions. This program is open to anyone, including high school students, adult learners, active military service members, veterans and current college students.  What is CLEP? Although it…

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College For Free Freshman Year For Free

How the Freshman Year for Free Program Works: Q&A with the Executive Director of Modern States

  The Freshman Year for Free Program launched in 2017 by Modern States Education Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to college access. The program has since helped more than 200,000 students earn free college credit. The Freshman Year for Free program provides more than 30 free online courses taught by top college professors. Once students complete a course, the program provides vouchers for them to take an AP or CLEP exam to earn traditional academic credits at more than 2,900…

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Undecided about Your College Major? 5 Things to Consider

“Undecided” is one of the most popular major choices among college freshmen. As a high school counselor, I’ve heard widely varying opinions on whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. Some people say that every student should go into college undecided so they can explore their interests without pressure. Others say that undecided students should take classes at a community college before enrolling in a 4-year college or university in order to avoid wasting time and money. …

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11 Online Courses for High School Students

It's never too early to start preparing for college. The college admissions process can be overwhelming, but there are ways to make it more manageable. Here are a few college prep courses we recommend for high school students looking to get a head start on their college journey. » Looking for other online courses? Check out our resource page Online college prep courses for high school students One way to mitigate the stress of college in high school is to start…

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8 Coursera Computer Science Courses, Specializations and Degree Programs

Computer science skills — like programming and information technology — are valuable additions to any resume. In today's technology and data-driven world, employers are always searching for candidates who possess practical computer science skills. These Coursera computer science courses, specializations and degree programs can help prepare recent graduates for the workforce or help mid-career professionals make a job pivot. » Looking for other online courses? Check out our resource page Coursera computer science courses Coursera courses are flexible and 100% online.…

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9 Coursera Business Courses, Specializations and Degrees

Whether you're looking for a career change, starting your own business or improving your existing company, business skills — such as finance, negotiation, leadership, marketing and administration — are valuable assets in any industry. Investing your time in learning business skills can help you find fulfillment and improve your employability — these Coursera business courses, specializations and degrees can help. » Looking for other online courses? Check out our resource page Coursera business courses  Coursera courses include several weeks of modules…

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What Are Hybrid Jobs and Why Do They Matter?

Hybrid jobs are multi-disciplinary, specialized roles that require a wide array of skills from different fields. For instance, digital marketing managers need to combine creativity with data analytics. Successful software engineers need design instincts in addition to their technical skills. Hybrid jobs are growing twice as fast as non-hybrid jobs and they pay 20-40% more, according to a 2019 report by Burning Glass Technologies, a job market analytics company.  In order to prepare themselves for future job market demands (and…

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What is EFC (and Why Does it Matter)?

EFC stands for expected family contribution. It’s the amount that the government and colleges calculate you should be able to pay out of pocket toward college costs. It's also used to calculate the amount of need-based financial aid students qualify for. Many families don’t know that they have some control over their EFC. By understanding how your expected family contribution is calculated and used by colleges, you can learn EFC-reducing strategies that can increase your student’s financial aid eligibility and…

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Scholarship Displacement

Third-Party Scholarships and Outside Scholarships: How to Find Them And What to Watch Out For

Once you’ve filed the FAFSA and are awaiting financial award letters from colleges, students should take some time to pursue what are commonly referred to as third-party scholarships, or money awarded from organizations other than the colleges themselves. Third-party scholarships, also known as outside scholarships or private scholarships, can help fill unmet need that's not covered by your financial aid package. However, it's important to check colleges' policies on outside scholarships because different schools treat them differently. Here's what you…

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Career Exploration for High School Students: 3 Steps to Follow

“What do you want to do when you grow up?” This is the age-old question many adults ask children as soon as they can talk and show interest in certain toys. This question tends to turn into “What are you going to major in?” when they get into high school. In my experience as a high school counselor, I’ve found that these questions (although well-intentioned) can be very daunting to students who are unsure of their career interests. They can…

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