Tight Job Market + High Education Costs = A Sweet New Benefit

Times they are a’changin’ (always true, Bob Dylan!)

Everyone knows the job market is tight, right? Like, super tight. Bidding Wars tight. Everyone ALSO knows how ridiculously expensive college is today. Well. your “Crystal Coach”, courtesy of the fairy godmother in Cinderella and that converted pumpkin, has just appeared courtesy of…. your employer!

The “Crystal Coach” is the latest surge of significant tuition reimbursement AND upfront college tuition payment benefits with some major employers around the country. They hope to entice you to gain your degree while working for them. Exactly how this works is ALL over the map. Each company has a unique approach, an annual dollar limit, etc. And yes there may be some rules and even a contract you must sign.

Catch this article online: 35 Companies that will pay for college. This includes UPS, Amazon, Chipotle, Walmart, Starbucks, Target, Home Depot, McDonald’s, Apple, Lowes, Kroger, Gap, Chevron, and many more.

I’m delighted to see companies stepping up. Yet, for some families, their student doesn’t work at one of these named places. Don’t despair. There ARE other options.

Check out Chapter 13, in my book, ENOUGH, The College Cost Crisis, I show you how to earn CLEP credits for almost 2 years’ worth of basic college classes for under $3,500. CLEP stands for College Level Exam Placement. If you took some honors and AP or Middle College classes in high school, you can brush up on those classes and try to test out for college credits.

Now, it is more complicated than just swinging the bat at CLEP tests- You need to know WHERE you want to attend, get their CLEP-approved courses list, know your major, & work with their college guidance counselor for the best path to maximized CLEP credits at your chosen college or university. Each school has its’ own rules for giving you credits. This takes planning and strategy but can save almost $30,000 in tuition costs.

Then there are online degrees. Don’t just sign up for the price. See if they will offer CLEP or AP Credits. See how the lectures are delivered. Most online courses are delivered asynchronistically. That big word means that the lectures are self-contained, so you can learn on your own time, at your own pace, in between work and life. Think of it as doing college one podcast at a time. Your instructors do hold “office hours” and you can make an appointment to discuss things you need help with. This path takes a lot of self-discipline, but it is the most flexible for busy work and home life.

Between employers, CLEP, online, and other real options, you DON’T have to go into big debt for a college degree today. That debt is like the set of chains weighing down the character of Jacob Marley, in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. He was condemned to wander the earth as a ghost, trying to warn others, like his friend Ebenezer Scrooge. He is always portrayed as being overwhelmed by his chains.

Don’t be a Jacob Marley. Do what it takes to avoid college costs chains. If you do, you will be able to do a lot more than celebrate Christmas well. You can enjoy your life more with lower or zero college debt repayments.

Until Next Time,

All My Best,

Bonnie Burkett