College, Quicker: 24 Practical Ways to Save Money and Get Your Degree Faster

You can save time and money on your college education. And you can have an unforgettable adventure along the way. Step-by-step, College, Quicker shows you how!

On her first day of college, Kate Stephens had no government aid, no private scholarships, no significant savings--and no idea how she was going to pay for her education. But she graduated with zero debt in just two years. Her secret? Finding faster, less expensive ways to earn credits toward her degree.

In College, Quicker, Stephens guides you to an affordable education, sharing practical tips on how to:

• Design your graduation plan. Are you still in high school? Already in college? Get the lowdown on how colleges' transfer credit policies work and sample schedules to organize your plan.
• Choose the credit-earning options that work best for you. Are you a good test taker? Do you feel cooped up in classrooms? Basics, benefits, and bottom-line financial savings help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.
• Get started now! Hit the ground running with step-by-step instructions plus insider tips, common mistakes to avoid, and bonus opportunities.

24 Money-Saving Options for ANY Kind of Student:

• AP and IB exams
• Dual enrollment
• CLEP, DSST, TECEP
• Internships
• Military transcripts
• Prior learning portfolios
• Alternative spring breaks
• And more!

"I am very impressed with the practical, applicable information in "College, Quicker." Kate writes in a style that is easy to relate to, with anecdotal examples that should make students-and parents-see that the steps are doable. I seriously think that every student should get a copy in 8th or 9th grade. Even if students only choose a few of the options, the opportunity to save time, money, and stress during college is huge. Having had a daughter in college a couple of years ago, I wish that she had attempted a few CLEP exams, if for no other reason than she could have skipped some lower-level classes and progressed to major-related courses sooner. She was an honors and AP student in high school and undoubtedly could have benefitted from this book." - Roger Wilson, Director for Financial Aid Services, Northwest University

"As a graduating high school senior, looking at the cost of my next four years in college can be daunting. Reading about smart and efficient ways to stay on track (and even get ahead!) with college credits has been so valuable. I highly recommend "College, Quicker" to anyone trying to sort through the challenge of paying for college!" - Emily Jane Hanaway, incoming freshman, Texas Christian University

""College, Quicker" is jam-packed with college information, including credits, finances, and even covering resources for those in the military. As the mother of four boys, with two in college and one in the military, I will use this book to help guide their next steps. This is a must-read for new and returning students of all levels, as well as parents. If you ever wanted a compact, easy-to-read resource covering the ins-and-outs of options in college, this is it! By covering what questions to ask, distance learning, standardized exams, and a 'do-it-yourself' section, this book is paramount to success. Save immense time, money, and frustration with just one book!" - Mollie Sharp, BSN, RN, and ARNP student, military wife, and mother of four

"My husband and I are planning to help our three teenagers pay for college within the next six years. When we added up the cost, that dream seemed daunting. I wish I had all the resources Kate Stephens compiled in "College, Quicker" when we began planning. It would have saved us so much time and second guessing. As it turned out, we found a public high school with a dual-enrollment program, offering 40 college credits during four years of high school with no cost to us. That's a cost and time savings of a year-and-a-half of college for each kid. This is just one of the many types of cost-cutting examples called 'Fast-Track Opportunities' in "College, Quicker." Think of this as a book of college discounts where you can save tons of money without sacrificing the quality of education. Kate's research about exams, dual-enrollment programs, and other nontraditional forms of education is extensive. Her personal experiences provide insight and entertaining information. I would highly recommend this book for parents and students with their sights set on a college education." - Stephanie Ivan, mother of a first-year college student, a high school junior, and a high school freshman

"Clear, concise, and conversational, while also practical, informative, and motivating! I wish a one-stop guide such as this was available when I first forayed into college classes; I earned my bachelor's degree by taking nine years of night classes while working a day job, paying along the way. Talk about the slow boat to a degree! Kate has outlined how to bypass that slow boat by taking advantage of practical and realistic ways to engage in systems already in place. This is a must-read for anyone embarking on a college education, or for anyone who has already started in college and needs some guidance on creating a realistic and attainable graduation plan." - Cynthia Reese, NW Marketing Manager, Environmental Science Associates

"I never knew there were ways to get college credits quicker! Kate's book is very informative and easy-to-read. The chapter about CLEP exams is of particular interest to me since I fall into the category of a nontraditional student. Having step-by-step instructions on how to prepare for and take this test is extremely helpful! I'll be using this book in the near future." - Alla Karpenko, student

"This book is a treasure map to your life's success! Not only does Kate show you how to make college quicker and less expensive, but she also gives you steps that are the cornerstones to a successful life: research, plan, execute, and follow up, then do it all again. Every student about to enter high school should have this book in their must-read and study plan. Parents should be reading this with their students to help them see the possibilities and integrate the steps into a lifetime practice. I am getting this book as a gift to my nieces and nephews for their kids!" - John C. Erdman, President and CEO, Ideal Companies

"This book will be a great asset to any teen already looking ahead to college or in need of guidance when it comes to making these important choices. Stephens has crafted a book that gives real insight into the confusing and often frustrating process that paying for college can be. " - VOYA