Graduating Early

My 18-year-old daughter will graduate from high school this month. Next month she will also graduate from college. The path is a bit unconventional since there are usually 4 years in between those milestones. Besides her high school diploma, she will have earned an AS degree in Business and a BA Degree in Psychology. Her dad and I are very proud of her achievements and are thankful for the opportunities that having a degree without debt afford her.

However, this is not a brag post. Rather, one that I hope inspires you to step off the beaten path onto a road that lets your student run the race their way. The statistics are challenging at best: those who start college and finish are now in the minority, and graduates face a mountain of debt that leave them financially burdened for years.

My daughter was in 5th grade when I started searching for alternatives. It took some time, but with a dash of persistence and a willingness to step off the beaten path, we found ways to achieve the same goal of earning a degree but without the burden of debt. It was not about working harder, but smarter: understanding the system, creating a plan and taking advantage of all the available options.

Summer is here and for many of us, we look forward to a break in our routine. Sometimes our pace becomes slower and the mood around the house is lighter. Our summers usually included more leisurely trips to the library and pb & j outside on paper plates with friends. Summer can also be a time for reevaluation and discovering and setting new goals.

I have a vision for the next generation. It includes graduating from college without debt so your student is not bound to an employers paycheck. Please consider attend the next Credits Before College Workshop. You will leave with resources that will shave thousands off your student’s college tuition, you will understand how to include earning affordable college credits in your high school plan and you might be challenged to think differently about affordability and opportunity. I’d encourage you to invite a friend or bring your spouse. If you’ve already attended a workshop, please share this with a friend and make a financial difference in their future. This summer might be the right time for you to begin dreaming of possibilities with your students.

Copyright©2012 Cheri Frame – All Rights Reserved

Category: Vision