Comments on: 17 Ways to Cut College Costs http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/05/17-ways-to-cut-college-costs/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:10:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kayn http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/05/17-ways-to-cut-college-costs/#comment-1081 Kayn Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:47:48 +0000 http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/?p=421#comment-1081 I want to go into studying criminal justice, I came across this blog, which is great. I was having problems knowing how to (or i guess i should say, the right way) to get financing for my education. I found the tip about the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) really cool, and I will be checking into that. I want to go into studying criminal justice, I came across this blog, which is great. I was having problems knowing how to (or i guess i should say, the right way) to get financing for my education. I found the tip about the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) really cool, and I will be checking into that.

]]> By: Radek M. Gadek http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/05/17-ways-to-cut-college-costs/#comment-1080 Radek M. Gadek Fri, 08 May 2009 17:36:26 +0000 http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/?p=421#comment-1080 Very good points, David. Very good points, David.

]]> By: david http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/05/17-ways-to-cut-college-costs/#comment-1079 david Fri, 08 May 2009 13:41:38 +0000 http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/?p=421#comment-1079 You make valid points. . . and I agree with you on the barganing chip piece. Also the federal govt. piece since they will require advanced education to move up. However I still take issue with ROI. While it is true that a person with a degree will make much more over a career you unfairly (in my view) compared a person with only a H.S. diploma to a person with a degree and completely ignored the fact that someone could have a career certificate and earn more than someone with just a H.S. diploma. There are a number of federal programs that can reduce tution costs but not everyone has the luxury of time to complete a degree. For that matter not everyone wants a degree. I think your final thought is the best food for thought for people to consider. ” An educated employee has much better chances of getting the position and salary they want” Agreed! I would submit that a certificate is still worth considering since it is still a form of formal education and can be a great way to test the waters before committing to a 2 or 4 year program. You make valid points. . . and I agree with you on the barganing chip piece. Also the federal govt. piece since they will require advanced education to move up. However I still take issue with ROI. While it is true that a person with a degree will make much more over a career you unfairly (in my view) compared a person with only a H.S. diploma to a person with a degree and completely ignored the fact that someone could have a career certificate and earn more than someone with just a H.S. diploma.

There are a number of federal programs that can reduce tution costs but not everyone has the luxury of time to complete a degree. For that matter not everyone wants a degree. I think your final thought is the best food for thought for people to consider.

” An educated employee has much better chances of getting the position and salary they want”

Agreed! I would submit that a certificate is still worth considering since it is still a form of formal education and can be a great way to test the waters before committing to a 2 or 4 year program.

]]> By: Radek M. Gadek http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/05/17-ways-to-cut-college-costs/#comment-1078 Radek M. Gadek Thu, 07 May 2009 17:18:17 +0000 http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/?p=421#comment-1078 I partially agree, but cannot fully endorse the idea. A certificate in criminal justice or a related field may get you the skills to break into the field and start making money, but carries very little weight with the rising demands of education. A lot of larger departments, as well as majority of the federal agencies require at least a bachelor degree, or education and work experience (rarely seen). In many police departments you don't need a degree or a certificate to start, but that makes some police officers complacent and resentful, especially when a "hot shot" with a bachelor degree is trying to move up the ladder - "I've been here for so many years, and this guy is already making _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (fill in the position or salary of your choice)." I feel that college certificates carry value once you are in for a number of years and would like to move up or transfer to a special team. Most police departments like the idea of academic development and a certificate can give you a bargaining chip. About your idea on the Return on Investment (ROI) I truly disagree. If you employ some of the methods in this post, including attending your state university or a community college to offset some costs, you will have an ROI much sooner than an average high school grad who's most likely living paycheck to paycheck. Many state colleges and universities offer courses online, so there's really no excuse not to attend. Your application for <a href="http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/" rel="nofollow">FAFSA</a> (financial aid) may even cover the ENTIRE cost of your education for, without the need of taking out ANY loans whatsoever. Moreover, those working in public service jobs can have their <a href="http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/05/eliminate-your-federal-student-loans-in-10-years-not-25/" rel="nofollow">Federal Student Loans eliminated</a> after only 10 years of payments. So even if you did go to a more expensive school you are still covered. In the end, it's the perception of what an education can get you that is very important. If you know you would like to work in the Criminal Justice field there is no going about the fact that it's one of the most growing fields in the U.S. and other parts of the World. An educated employee has much better chances of getting the position and salary they want. If money is one's motive, than public service should not even be considered as a career path. I partially agree, but cannot fully endorse the idea. A certificate in criminal justice or a related field may get you the skills to break into the field and start making money, but carries very little weight with the rising demands of education. A lot of larger departments, as well as majority of the federal agencies require at least a bachelor degree, or education and work experience (rarely seen).

In many police departments you don’t need a degree or a certificate to start, but that makes some police officers complacent and resentful, especially when a “hot shot” with a bachelor degree is trying to move up the ladder – “I’ve been here for so many years, and this guy is already making _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (fill in the position or salary of your choice).”

I feel that college certificates carry value once you are in for a number of years and would like to move up or transfer to a special team. Most police departments like the idea of academic development and a certificate can give you a bargaining chip.

About your idea on the Return on Investment (ROI) I truly disagree. If you employ some of the methods in this post, including attending your state university or a community college to offset some costs, you will have an ROI much sooner than an average high school grad who’s most likely living paycheck to paycheck. Many state colleges and universities offer courses online, so there’s really no excuse not to attend. Your application for FAFSA (financial aid) may even cover the ENTIRE cost of your education for, without the need of taking out ANY loans whatsoever. Moreover, those working in public service jobs can have their Federal Student Loans eliminated after only 10 years of payments. So even if you did go to a more expensive school you are still covered.

In the end, it’s the perception of what an education can get you that is very important. If you know you would like to work in the Criminal Justice field there is no going about the fact that it’s one of the most growing fields in the U.S. and other parts of the World. An educated employee has much better chances of getting the position and salary they want. If money is one’s motive, than public service should not even be considered as a career path.

]]> By: david http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/05/17-ways-to-cut-college-costs/#comment-1077 david Thu, 07 May 2009 13:12:19 +0000 http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/?p=421#comment-1077 You could also consider saving money by evaluating whether or not you really need a degree. There are certificate programs available that can offer training at a fraction of the cost while still getting you the skills to break into the field and start making money. (like this accredited school for instance http://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/crimjust.asp ) It’s all about the return so if it takes too much money to earn a degree, you may never get the full value back in earnings. You could also consider saving money by evaluating whether or not you really need a degree. There are certificate programs available that can offer training at a fraction of the cost while still getting you the skills to break into the field and start making money. (like this accredited school for instance http://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/crimjust.asp )

It’s all about the return so if it takes too much money to earn a degree, you may never get the full value back in earnings.

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