By Natalie Klejwa, Editress of Visionary Womanhood

Every child’s path will be different.  This is just one path in a million.   I know for a fact that NONE of our other children will follow this exact route, although there may be variations.  The point of this post is to unpack one example of how it can be done if you are willing to get off the conveyor belt and look into all of your options.  Once you are free from the culture box, you’ll be surprised…and delighted…to find out what could be available to your particular child down the road!

1. CLEP Tests

When Sam was 14 years old he started studying for, and taking, CLEP tests.  Each of the 33 CLEP tests represent a basic college class.  So, for example, when Sam was finished with his Algebra class in our home, he would study for the Algebra CLEP test and then take it.  Tests are $77 each.  He passed 16 of these tests over the course of 3 years and earned 57 college credits for $1,232 and a fraction of the time.  Keep in mind that state colleges average about $200 per credit.  That same number of credits would have cost roughly $15,000 at a state college, and a whole lot more at a private college.

Did you know that the first two years of college are simply a review of high school?  So why not kill two birds with one stone…and as your child finishes the high school class, have him/her study for and take the equivalent CLEP test and get the college credit for it too?

2. College Plus!

When he was 15 he entered a video contest for a one year scholarship to College Plus. And he won!

College Plus is a service that helps you navigate all the ins and outs of getting that college degree at home for the least amount of money.  The only caveat is that College Plus is expensive: roughly $2,500 per year for their services.  If Sam had not won the scholarship, we would not have gone this route…and we don’t plan to use College Plus for our other children.

Basically, for your $2,500, College Plus puts together a template and a plan of action for your child depending on what degree they want to pursue and how quickly they want to pursue it.  They work with colleges that will transfer most, if not all, credits from other sources.  This service is the most useful thing they offer, and it would be great if they offered it a la carte for a smaller fee. I think they would increase their customer base by offering choices for people with a variety of budgets/needs.

What the bulk of your money really pays for is the hours and hours on the phone throughout the year encouraging your child and helping them stay on track.  This service was not needed in our case, but could be very helpful if your child is unmotivated or a natural procrastinator and YOU don’t want to be the one on their backs all the time.

You can do it all yourself with a little researching, persistence, and emotional pluck.  But if you don’t have the time, or your child struggles with motivation…and you DO have the extra cash…then I recommend College Plus for saving you some headaches throughout the process.

3. Post-Secondary Enrollment Option

In Minnesota, students in their Jr. and Sr. years of high school can take college classes instead.  Of course, these classes are paid for with state money…the same money that would be paying for these students’ education in the public school system.  Instead of going to the local public school…it goes to the college participating in the program.  These types of programs are available in many other states under various names.  You would need to call the department of education in your state and find out what opportunities are available to your students.

Usually PSEO students will take their first two years of general classes with this option; however, since Sam had already CLEPed out of his generals, he was able to take specialized, advanced classes. Because his major is communications with an emphasis in web design and film production, he focused on those types of classes and went to two different tech schools to get the ones he wanted.

4. Final Graduation From Thomas Edison State College

In the spring, Sam will pay the fees he needs to to enroll in Thomas Edison State College and complete his last few credits, graduating in the summer with a four year degree in communications.  It is a general degree, but during that time he has worked on multiple films and documentaries, done free lance web design and graphic design for businesses (including our own), and built up a nice portfolio.  (He designed and maintains the technical aspects of this blog!)

The money that he has made doing what he loves to do has covered all the costs of his education leaving him completely debt free and in a place of earning good money at the ripe old age of 18.  He plans to save his money for a car and a home next.

Now…we just need to find the right girl…

GREAT RESOURCES for more information:

Accelerated Distance Learning by Brad Voeller

College Without Compromise by Scott and Kris Wightman

College Without High School by Blake Boles