Question: I know students can get credits at some colleges by doing well on AP exams. Are there any other ways? If so, could my child -- now in high school -- possibly graduate earlier from college and save us some tuition money? -- Money Conscious
Answer: A relatively new way to earn college credits is by taking online courses. Before taking any course, your child must make sure that the college she plans to attend will grant her credit toward graduation for this course. These courses may or may not save money, as there is often a fee for taking them.
For more than 40 years, students have been earning college credits through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). There are 33 tests in this program in five subject areas that cover the mastery of college-level material that a test-taker has acquired in a variety of ways, from advanced instruction in school, independent study, non-credit adult classes or extracurricular work. Again, your child needs to make sure that her college will accept CLEP. Almost 3,000 do.
The CLEP tests are taken primarily by students in college, adults returning to college and members of the military. There is a fee for these tests. Your daughter can find out most of what she needs to know about these tests online at clep.collegeboard.com. There she will find what exams are offered, sample tests and the location of test centers.