CLEP offers 33 exams in five subject areas, covering material taught in courses that you may generally take in your first two years of college. By passing a CLEP exam, you can earn 3 or more college credits. Exams cost $80.
Since I read somewhere that you where a science major, here are some of the science courses you can test out of:
Biology
Calculus
Chemistry
College Algebra
College Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Precalculus
@aileenv your perseverance is inspiring! Congrats to you. I hope you are working in your field and enjoying the satisfaction of your monumental achievement. May I ask who it was who encouraged you to go back? A friend, work mentor, adult who had been there?
http://www.jkcf.org/scholarship-programs/undergraduate-transfer/
The Jack Kent Cooke foundation has a scholarship program for CC transfer students that are low income and have very good GPAs.
I would look into a stable job and living situation and apply for that scholarship next year.
Thank you @GnocchiB ! It was my then-boyfriend (now husband as of a month ago!) Who had graduated with great grades in school and was already working in a great paying job. I think he just saw my potential. I moved from FL to TX and the transfer advisor at the TX school was the one and only advisor who finally offered me some helpful solutions.
Wonderful, @aileenv - I wish you much happiness and many blessings in your marriage and life! Thank you for sharing your story for the encouragement of others.
I was talking with one of my colleagues the other day who took almost 7 years to get his BA going part time and sometimes taking time off to work. He did succeed however and with a decent GPA … then went on to get his masters. He’s doing great and now trying to decide if he wants to go on to get a PhD. He comes from a poor family that couldn’t help him at all. He also got into a bit of trouble when he was younger. That first step took 7 years, but he persevered. Tenacity and belief in yourself is what you need.
Talk to people about strategies and setting realistic short and long term goals. There are many paths to success. Totally ignore anyone who says there isn’t.
Also to echo a previous post, check the Financial Aid & Scholarships forum. I was reading several of the threads earlier today and found a couple of links to websites with lists of great colleges by state that offer a ‘full ride’ (tuition, room, board) to qualified students. Unfortunately, I can’t relocate the thread, but if you take a half hour skimming through the threads, you should be able to find it.
The biggest obstacle for first generation college students is being able to imagine your self attending a prestigious college when your pockets are almost empty. You feel like an outsider … like you don’t belong … even subconsciously this can eat away at your self confidence and resolve.
Remember … if you didn’t belong there you wouldn’t be there. If they accept you, you belong. Full Stop.
@collegegrl2270
I’m sorry about the struggle, though it has obviously helped mold you into a strong woman.
I agree you might want a year break to save, but also to learn where you might be able to transfer with full FA. I echo the idea of posting in the FA forum, as those folks can help you find schools that meet the need for transfers. Just keep in your head that it is just a year off. Not the end, and you’ll go back. It is more like a gap year for a kid that needs a “do-over” for freshman apps. It can be a very good thing.
One more thing, if you need cash upfront, you can take a loan and repay as soon as your FA refund comes. Like it never happened at all. Just as a cash management tool is all.
Good luck.