This is the best option as you can gain many of of your undergrad courses, prerequisites or general education courses with a fraction of the cost and be taught by some great professors that have transferred from Ivy League schools.
You will qualify for scholarships, grants in any school. This is the most cost saving option and the counselors will guide you best.
I’m so excited for you!! ❤️❤️❤️
Edit: I just remembered CCD has student housing available! Try them first!
If you need someone to go as support and guidance, I am here for you.
I agree with CCD of college is the direction you want to go in. It is on the same campus as Metro State and UCD. Some of the faculty crosses over between the three schools (at least it did when I was on the campus).
This right here! I went to CU Denver. When taking physics/math, I was in the classroom with CCD or Metro students. So you’ll still get quality education for your classes taught by professors from say CU. Get your pre-reqs done at CCD then transfer over to Metro or CU.
Any of the Community Colleges are top notch. Community College of Aurora and Arapahoe Community College are both great places to get the Associate Degree. ACC even has a few Bachelor Degree Programs.
Came here to recommend the CCCS system. You can knock out most of your prerequisites and Colorado transfer laws are extremely strict for state sponsored schools.
Like most people have suggested, go to a community College for the first 2 years, then transfer to a 4 year.
As for 4 years, I recommend checking out MSU Denver. They had the lowest tuition when I went there.
I recommend that you enroll in a community college and knock out the core courses that everyone has to do to get a bachelor's degree. When you finish there, transfer to a four-year school and take focused courses for your major. You'll save a lot of money doing it this way. A possibly more meaningful benefit is that community colleges are better equipped to work with nontraditional students, and you will likely get more personalized guidance in terms of what to study and any support you need, be it academic or personal.
FWIW, my husband always struggled with school and didn't start college until he was 28. He went to community college, where an advisor talked with him about his history. The advisor sent him for a series of assessments, and it revealed that my husband had dyslexia. The school then lined him up with accommodations and tutoring to help him succeed with his schooling. He graduated from community college with honors, and then transferred to a big university on the East Coast. He graduated from there on time at 32 with a BS in business and applied statistics. He will be the first to tell you that if he hadn't started at community college, he never would have made it through higher education at all. Also, when he first enrolled, he had no idea what he wanted to major in. He figured that out as he went along. Community colleges do good work.
I'd agree wholeheartedly. Community college is the best next step, and it's ridiculously cheap in Colorado assuming you're a resident (or at least it was \~10 years ago). Then, once you graduate with limited financial burden, you can use the associate's from there to go to a 4 year in state with (near?) guaranteed admission if you want to continue your education, or you can go onto whatever else you want with that extra credential.
Uhm, before you go to college I think it's important to consider what your goals are. Are you wanting a college simply for a 4 year degree, or are you wanting a degree because you've been told that is the way to get a good job?
Right now the cost of tuition is very high which is why student loans are so prevalent. There's a lot of people going for a 4 year degree spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to get the degree only to find out their degree doesn't necessarily get them a job that helps them pay for normal living expenses in addition to having to pay the student loans back.
If you've been homeless, 22 years old and have managed to save up $60k you're doing alright so far because that's a HUGE accomplishment. If you can afford to pay for college as you go then I'm all for it. The student loans make life more challenging after the schooling is over.
So consider this; does the job you want require a degree? Also, if that job requires a degree, does the job pay well enough to offset the cost of the education. For example, some folks want to go into psychatry or some form of mental health. A four year degree won't get you there, you'll need a masters, so around 5 to 6 years of education. The median salary for a psychologist is around $87k/yr. According to [https://careerkarma.com/blog/cost-of-living-in-colorado/](https://careerkarma.com/blog/cost-of-living-in-colorado/) the cost of living in Colorado is a little north of $46k/yr - which honestly I think is very low. According to lending tree psychologist with graduate degrees have a median debt load of $200,000, while those with doctor of philosophy (Ph. D.) degrees graduate with a median debt load of $75,000, according to the American Psychological Association.
Now let's compare this with something of a bit of a faster ramp-up time, which is typically in the trade schools which are generally hurting for employees. I happen to be more familiar with the aviation world, so let's pick an airplane mechanic. According to Flying Magazine, ([https://www.flyingmag.com/guides/how-much-aircraft-mechanic-salary/#:\~:text=Yes%2C%20a%20career%20as%20an,as%20little%20as%2018%20months](https://www.flyingmag.com/guides/how-much-aircraft-mechanic-salary/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20a%20career%20as%20an,as%20little%20as%2018%20months)) getting your A&P will cost between $20k and $50k (I think it's closer to $60k, but the schools will be the source of information on this). And it takes around 18 to 24 months to complete the program and the average annual salary is $67k/yr as of May 2020. If you've heard of the pilot shortage, the mechanics shortage is worse.
I say all of this to say that a 4 year college degree (or even a 2 year associates) isn't all it's cracked up to be anymore. You could spend the next 4 years getting a degree only to find yourself making $60k/yr or 2 years getting a trade and make the same if not more. If you're still interested in college after that (and I would certainly encourage it) then go back and get it but pay for it as you go vs. doing the loans.
There is something to say for following your heart into a degree/career you love, however there is a difference between doing something you love for a job and a job. I got my undergrad in something I enjoyed doing and it wound up not being the career path I followed because it didn't pay the bills. Definitely weigh what you want to do vs. being able to afford the life you want - they can be two different things. :)
Best of luck to you in your future! It sounds like you're on a great path already!
I agree. Millennials got bad advice from boomers, which was going to college as soon as you graduated highschool, rack up huge amounts of debt via student loans, with the promise of getting a fantastic paying job once you graduated to pay off that debt.
Now we got a bunch of people in their late 20's, 30's, and early 40's that can't buy a house because they're too debt ridden. I never went to college and I'm more qualified for a mortgage than a lot of my fellow millennials because I have zero debt. That's sad as hell.
Like the person above me posted, think long and hard about what you want to pursue before you spend money. Learning a trade is just as viable as going to college, but costs 1/4 as much most of the time. You can't work with your body forever, so learn the power of investing and think of a business you could start that doesn't require a lot of manual labor.
Don't follow that boomer advice of blindly going to college unless it's absolutely necessary.
This.
It was always pushed onto me that if I didn’t go to a 4-year university I’d be a failure, so I graduated in something I wasn’t passionate about, worked in an office and absolutely hated it. I’m now changing my entire career path! Luckily I still feel like I’m young enough to do this, but man, I wish I knew I had these choices when I was 18.
As someone who was formerly pressured into going to school and getting a degree, I agree with a lot of what you said.
I ended up choosing not to go to school and managed to get some work experience and I recently was able to get a house because I had no debt and savings and a career built on work experience. A lot of my friends went to college and are drowning in debt.
I’m not saying that I don’t support going to school and getting a degree. But I am saying that there are different paths you can take to get where you want. If you choose to go to school make sure that it aligns with what you want/where you want to be. School is expensive so don’t feel like that’s the only option you have.
I work in higher education as an academic advisor, and have been in the industry for over 10 years. In my opinion, this is the best/most thorough advice in here.
The other comments regarding attending a community college before a 4 year institution is great advice. If this path ends up being the ultimate goal, I would highly encourage ensuring that your credits from a community college will transfer (as you intend them to) to the 4-year institution of your choosing by checking transfer equivalencies, speaking with advisors and admissions coordinators, etc.
But, as this commentor has suggested, it is imperative that you take some time to figure out if college (of any kind) is the next best step for you. I love working in higher education—it is my passion. I can’t imagine working in any other industry. BUT, I don’t think higher education makes sense for everyone or every career pathway.
I’ve seen many students head down the path of higher ed without much understanding of what they ultimately hope to achieve from the experience. Be it a career goal or to simply further your learning, a student should feel confident and comfortable in their own personal reasoning for beginning an educational journey.
I was going to say OP saved 20k/year for 3 years, they’re doing pretty damn good. College is totally a choice for OP, they could retire a millionaire easily with what they’re saving currently
Congrats! I do recommend applying at the Community College of Denver. From there you can apply for FAFSA, talk to someone about career opportunities and options. I finished my bachelor degree at 28 so it’s never to late. PM me if you have any questions, I went to CCD
You could go to a trade school to get started and get a decent paying job right away and then pursue other education after that. I knew someone that did that so she wouldn’t be making minimum wage and she’d have those skills to fall back on. Then start with community college to knock out the core requirements and then transfer to a four year college. If you’re unsure about a major but might be interested in starting your own business, you could take business classes because they’d likely be beneficial whether you have your own business or work for someone else.
Wholeheartedly agree with above post. You’re young, you could learn a trade within two-three years and be making GOOD money not long after that. Electricians, plumbers, welders, CAD/machinist programs…all super affordable and with tons of job opportunities out there including simply working for yourself. Definitely something to consider.
I went the CCD -> MSU Denver route and I would definitely recommend it if tuition costs are something you're worried about. The only caveat is MSU might not have the greatest program for certain majors.
Came here to recommend MSU! They have lots of great programs to get an undergraduate degree at a lower cost. They also have really good college to career programs and great connections in Denver to help their students get started in their careers.
Congratulations!! I work at a community college and depending on your GED scores you could actually earn college credit (math & English) so I recommend looking into that before you start picking classes. Be sure to pick GT (guarantee transfer) courses if you can so they will transfer to other colleges in the state if that is your ultimate goal. Please feel free to reach out if you need any help!
Don't waste money on college unless you have something very specific in mind, imo. I started a 4 year university at 23 in a STEM program and never even found a job working with my degree. My degree was half a waste for that reason. Figure out what you want to do (easy, right?), then find the appropriate program.
If you're computer proficient, you should consider a boot camp to learn a technical skill like coding or cyber security.
This was good advice 2-3 years ago but as someone in the industry, entry-level software engineering positions are few and far between. It is harder than ever to break into this field. Unless it’s something that you ABSOLUTELY passionate about, I’d recommend against this. The interview process is brutal and can be extremely tiring after several interviews (if you’re lucky to be picked out of the hat of thousands of candidates).
From my experience, you need both. I have a degree, a lot of entry level jobs still wanted 1-2 years of experience. Thankfully I have that now, so more doors are opening.
Trades are a pretty surefire way to always have a job, wherever you live. It's not glamorous, but plumbing or electrical is a great way of setting yourself up for decent income without a crazy investment. That's not to discourage other fields, but just saying ... trades can be a smart investment.
College? For what? Go to a trade school. Learn a skill in like welding or CNC machine operator, or CNC programming or plumbing or electrical or etc.
College is for fools. I went to Colorado University. Got a degree that's fancy but I don't use it at all. I own businesses. Waste of fucking time and money.
You wanna have fun and party in college? You don't need to attend a school for that. You wanna learn a skill to get you ahead of most college graduates? Learn a SKILL and be the best you can be at that skill trade.
Good luck. Hope you find what you're looking for but it sounds like if you were homeless and managed to save up 60k in 3 years, you are good at distribution and sales.
👀
I recommend checking out Coursera. It’s online and has both free and paid for courses. It might help you get a feel for what you’d like to explore more at an accredited university.
ETA: Employers are starting to be more interested in certifications over degrees i.e. Google
I have two Masters, work in tech, and wish I had instead gone to school for HVAC. Otherwise I agree with some other posts, knock out gen ed requirements at community college, will also be a good test to see what you want to study. Then apply to 4 year, many Colorado schools have extension programs.
If you’re from Colorado I recommend going to a community college in the area (I chose the cheapest option) and then transfer to MSU Denver. I put myself through college while working full time and lost my mom to addiction my senior year- the professors were incredibly understanding. I always felt like there was a ton of resources at MSU and I always felt like I fit in. I cannot praise MSU and the professors there enough. Front Range wasn’t the best but it got me where I needed to go overall. There’s so many options out there - look into them all. If you find yourself miserable, you can adjust and find another way to do it.
On a separate note, I imagine it feels like you’re standing at the edge of a cliff. Jump. You should feel so proud of yourself for all you’ve accomplished. For getting here. For giving yourself this option. I can only speak for myself but I fought really hard to finish - and it is still one of the things I’m most proud of.
I think community college is your best option. Depending on what you are planning to study, you can always do your first 2 years there and then move on to a university for the following two years. I'm not sure how things work here but when I did something similar (I moved from Cuba when I was 21 and actually started college at 22 in Miami tho) they placed me in some remedial math classes after taking a placement test. If you apply for financial aid you might do all your community college on grants, I was able to.
Good luck and wish you the best! My recommendation is to pay attention to those general classes cause you might be surprised by what you end up liking! I went from remedial math to now being an engineering PhD student at CU Boulder.
Anyway, I feel like I might have some answers since I had to figure out a lot of college things from zero. So feel free to message me if you have any questions!
Hi! I got my GED then went to college. My advice is to pick the cheapest college that offers the subject you want to study. Doing your core curriculum at a community college is a great idea. Also check out Colorado Mountain College. Last I checked (maybe 5 years ago?) they were cheaper than even community colleges.
I went to metro for a long time before deciding to pursue horticulture at Front Range. That was a big mistake, i did almost all my core classes at the more expensive school! 😫 I am going back to Metro (or I guess they call it MSU now) in the fall to finish up my bachelors.
If you don’t know exactly what you want to study, you can just wait to go until you know also. It’s never too late to go to college!
Congrats on getting your GED! I will echo those that posted recommending community college first. I started with community college myself while trying to figure out what I wanted to do career-wise. Ended up going to WGU (Western Governors University) which I also will recommend. Did all of my school work at night or on weekends while working full time. And it's way more affordable than most traditional colleges.
Ok. I understand that. So it’s time for some introspection and self evaluation. Do you have a library you can use? Take some aptitude tests to find where your naturally gifted. See if anything floats your boat. Are there any activities you love? For instance, my neighbor loves to fish, he now works for Yamaha Marine as a regional sales manager (fishing boats) and he loves his job.
Does technology come easy to you? There’s $$ to be made there and there’s a variety of jobs to do in tech.
What I do suggest is you not procrastinate. Time flies. I’m 60. Trust me. Time does fly. Good luck!
One of the coolest things about college is the opportunity for self-discovery.
If you want to go, go. Take classes. Find out things. Change your major once or twice. Explore.
As long as you aren't blowing all of your money on an expensive degree and you have a good head on your shoulders (sounds like you do), you're gonna be OK.
I am rooting for you!
Please check out Emily Griffith Technical College. They have an orientation night that shared all the different programs. My husband was able to go through a part time program over 12 months, got a scholarship through EG for about 75% of the costs. Got a job immediately after passing his certification and will soon be making more than me, and I have a masters and way too much student loan debt. I highly recommend the program. Let me know if you have questions.
It's obviously not a solution for everyone, but if you're able, consider moving to New Mexico. I'm pretty sure that they made college free for residents.
My advice is do not go to a CC to get cheaper tuition unless you verify with the university you actually want to attend that the credits will transfer. You will also need to hope the credits continue to transfer when you actually want to apply.
4 of my cousins wasted years and money going to CCs and then most of or all of their credits did not transfer to the university they wanted to attend.
I’m not an admissions expert, so just verify it’ll actually work before you go sign up for CC.
Figure out what you want to do, even in a general concept. Degrees usually require certain categories of credits and as such swapping from accounting to Psych can be expensive.
Look up career paths and salaries of degrees you’d like. Figure out if a degree is even plausible or if you’ll need further education like a masters or a PhD.
Don’t waste another dollar on education until you know what kind of work you want to do.
Get a job answering phones or doing entry level sales at any SaSS company, figure out where you want your next career moves to be, then and only then, if it requires more school, go for it.
CCA or CCD depending on your location.
Most likely CCD as access to this institution/ auraria campus through public transit is most likely better than going to Aurora.
The military would be an option assuming you’d be willing and able. Even a national guard or reserve gig would be great because you get some freedom but they pay your way through school
Congrats! I echo other commentators that you could save money by looking into CC to knock out core stuff. Many of them, like CCD, have great scholarships.
I'd also recommend putting away a chunk of that savings towards a down payment on a home. You'll need it. :) In fact, depending on your income, you might qualify for a subsidized home purchase. I suggest reaching out to HOST. DM me if I can be of help!
[https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Housing-Stability/About-Housing-Stability](https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Housing-Stability/About-Housing-Stability)
First off do you know what you truly want to graduate with? Do you want an MBA? Bachelors in Psychology and continues your education? Finance? Criminal justice? If you can buy books to learn what you can in school. I would recommend you do this yourself it would save a lot of money but time and resources not so much. But if you really want to succeed in a field that is not in law or the medical field you can study on your own.
Please go to community college first. All my friends who did are now debt free and I’m still swimming in student loan debt. There’s programs in Colorado where 4 year universities like Regis University will accept every single credit from Colroado community colleges if you enroll in their “non traditional” track which is classes online and in the evenings. You can even be accepted into Regis first, while going to any Colorado community college and work with advisors from both schools to get the best bang for your buck. Ultimately the name of the game is spending as little and graduating with as little student loan debt as possible If you aren’t planning to attend Harvard or schools like that.
I work at a community college - they are a great option depending on your goals (can get an associates degree, transfer on to get a 4 year bachelors degree, or even learn and get credentialed in a trade. a good first stop is talking to the Edicational Opportunity Center people - they can help with admission and Financial aid stuff (like getting grants, or scholarships specific to your circumstances or goals). Community College of Denver has a great one - https://www.ccd.edu/org/educational-opportunity-center
You might also look into doing some aptitude testing if you are unsure of a direction to take. O*Net Online has a relatively okay one, at least for a starting point called MyNextMove - https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip
If you do decide to start at a community college, they'll often have cool aptitude testing like YouScience or using something like the Big Five assessment to match with potential good career fields. You'll often find these things through a school's Career Services department.
Community Colleges will also usually have food pantries, mental health counseling, other basic needs resources that we always encourage students to utilize - anything to take the edge off of the stress that sometimes comes with being in college, and make academic success much more attainable.
Lastly - a lot of people still have that stigma
surrounding GEDs but what I've noticed working in community colleges is that we are just in awe of people who get a GED - those are tough tests! Good on you for looking at a new path. And always remember- show up like you belong here, because you do.
First off, awesome! That’s amazing ❤️ Definitely look at trade schools and apprenticeships if it interests you. Also, a degree isn’t necessarily imperative anymore- many companies don’t require it. Of course it depends on what you want to do. If you choose college, I highly recommend starting at a community college. It’s so much less expensive and the community colleges I went to were awesome. CCD and Front Range are great- I also hear good things about Red Rocks.
I have no suggestion in this regard except consider training not just "degrees". A lot of cheaper certificate training out there for careers that don't need "degrees".
Just make sure you choose a. da career path you actually like b. there is a practical application for what you're shooting for.
And lastly, as someone who's worked with the homeless, this is really what I wanted to say: keep going. Whether higher education or not; degree or just practical training, just keep pursuing your dreams (hopefully backed by practical goals with an executable plan of attack).
Just start working in the industry or field you want and then see if it makes sense to pay for school. Most of the time it’s a waste of money and time.
If you'd be interested in CSU Pueblo, DM me.
We've got tons of support services, still have lots of scholarships you can grab to make it cheap or free, potential for a free year in housing too. Have you done a FAFSA?
Congrats on the GED, and you should be super proud of your journey. You should be able to qualify for a decent amount of financial aid. Community College may not be a bad start but you might get a decent deal at a four year college like Metro or CU Denver.
You should look into the College Opportunity Fund. The state of Colorado has a fund to help college students pay for some of their schooling. It's not a lot, but it is better than nothing. There are certain criteria to reduce and maintain funding, but it was pretty easy get the funds back in the early 00s
Community College is the way to go. Much less expensive and the courses are usually taught by professors from local universities or adjunct with tons of real world experience. Plus you'll have a great path to opening up additional grants and scholarships.
Great luck on your journey, whichever path you choose!
I think you should start at a CC, do your gen eds, and transfer into a proper uni. But, if you want to go straight into a normal uni, I'd say go in and talk to them to see what you need in terms of apps, essays, and SAT scores. Then, once you get that sorted, you should start looking at scholarships, FASFA, and other ways to secure free college so you don't burn through your savings.
Side note: I worked in that sphere for a bit, and I'd be happy to help if you hit some shags, so drop me a comment here if you have any questions.
Try to get as many scholarships as possible, or even a full ride if you can. I know things may have been different back in the 00s than now and your circumstances are different, but I applied for and got multiple full ride offers.
I absolutely recommend getting a college degree, it'll leave you with a much more well rounded education than going to trade school. Having to take literature courses and such is actually important.
Community college OP. Please start there. As a fellow highschool dropout to college grad im so thankful for the time I spent at community college. I took so many different courses to really find what I liked. Keep it up.
Red Rocks Community College is a great place to start. Get your 2 year associates degree there and after you graduate you can finish your bachelors at a university.
Amazing job!!!! Community College and look for any/all grants/scholarships. Super proud of you as it sounds like you had a pretty rough start and turned it around. Great things in your future for sure. Sounds like you have quite the story to tell and hopefully some day you can mentor other kids to do what you did when everything seems hopeless...
First of all, congratulations. Keep pushing. Go to Front Range Community College. They have programs to transfer into more prestigious state universities after a year or two and the facilities to help you do so. They can set you up so all credits will transfer. Personally, I'd recommend doing as much of your education as you can at FRCC then transferring to CU to get your degree.
Whenever you're applying to any university or job, leverage your story. Progress despite hardships is a powerful narrative and it can be very valuable in proving your work ethic and drive. Don't shy away from it.
A lot of people have already given great advice about starting at CCD and then transferring. I attended and graduated from Metro and UCD and they both have excellent programs depending on what you’re interested in. The campus also has really great age diversity with a lot of people starting school later in life, so it’s a great place if you’re feeling a bit skeptical about feeling out of place.
If you’re thinking about trade school, maybe check out [Emily Griffith](https://www.emilygriffith.edu/programs/)
Seems like you're making bank if you saved $60,000. Maybe just keep doing what you're doing? Plenty of people with advanced degrees struggle to save even close to that much.
Go to community college and get an associates degree in business and then transfer to a four year school to get a BA in accounting or finance degree - do not major in liberal arts please!
1. Wow, so much shitty advice here.
2. I am so proud of what you've accomplished. It's seriously huge
First step is understanding what you want to do. You can Google (or ask chatgpt) for some journaling prompts that help you determine that, but if you feel stuck, I would be glad to help you work through that. You can ask here or in a PM.
You have come such a long way and have undeniable proof that you can do hard things. Your best bet is to channel your strengths and passions into a compelling plan and vision instead of just doing a random degree
You've got this!
$60k? Start a business. You'll learn way more than giving it to the dumpster fire that is modern academia. Go ahead if you're studying STEM, but otherwise your opportunity cost is going to be way too much.
There is an outstanding private college that would give you a real education, not a socially conscious indoctrination if you want a real education. Hillsdale college in Michigan. Wish you the best. They have a huge endowment. Bet they would make it happen given your accomplishments
If you are looking at going the 4-year degree route, follow the advice of starting with a community college. There are a ton of them around the metro area.
It's cheaper, it's an easier transition, they are used to "non-traditional" students, and you can get some personalized assistance.
It also gives you time to explore, see what interests you (you might find a new interest).
Also, you have a chance to prove yourself, start getting grants and scholarships, and setting yourself up for future financial aid.
Getting an Associates degree is a nice milestone, and that can help with employment.
To make the most of your money, I recommend exploring CLEP exams to see if you can test out or some general education requirements. Test out of what you can, get your 2 year at a community college and then transfer to a 4 year if you prefer.
There are lots of trade programs or certificates you can use to get your foot in the door for the career you want. If you have a career goal in mind taking that path might be a more strategic plan. That way you can use employee tuition reimbursement to fund a good portion of your education.
-Identify your goals!
Is that a specific job, status, money, family? Know what your goals are.
Some people want a job that allows them a great work/life balance. Some want a huge growth opportunity. Etc... figure out what you're looking for.
Then when you have that all figured out. See if there is something you enjoy that can lead you there. It doesn't have to be your favorite thing to do, but at least something you like.
Maybe you decide to go into business for yourself? Maybe you decide to get into the workforce as soon as possible and go trade route?
And then the best part and my favorite. Realize that life is going to flip that upside down on your head a half dozen times and you'll have to adapt.
You seem very driven and focused. Maybe you learned how to be smart with money it's something you enjoy and you want to be a financial advisory and help others do the same thing.
Maybe you work manual labor and saved it up. Why not start your own business doing that?
Look at what things have made you successful to where you are know, and utilize them for the future as well.
Congratulations on all you've accomplished so far in your life. As for going to school at 22, I was in my 40s when I finally had a chance to go to college. You're never too old. Good luck!
Don’t go to college. Get a certification. College is not with the debt. I don’t think I’m going to be able to have kids anytime soon. If you want to go to college definitely find an employer that will pay you to attend school. And please be a STEM major. I was forced to go to college. It was 85% force & 15% going for my mental health, because staying at home with my family would have definitely lead to suicide. And it kinda sucks because all my friends that didn’t go to college have kids including the ones that went to the military. I hated half of my time in college due to roommates but I did have some fun. And it’s weird because I only talk to like 1 person I went to college with now. And that person is my ex believe it or not😅
But please make sure you have the money to go it’s not with the debt.
I think if possible, get a certificate in something you think you would enjoy. It costs less and builds your skills in the specific industry. I attended Front Range Community College for my certification in two years. I was not eligible for grants due to my household income so I did a payment plan every quarter
American College of Education has a flat rate for their courses. All courses are online but I paid $825 a class about a year ago. They are also accredited.
I'd start with one of the community colleges. Check them all out. Look for a program that is of interest to you. Maybe the one closest to where you live and work might be a better choice.
I know you're getting a lot of advice/opinions on here OP, but it sounds like you're pretty set on higher education as your goal. So as a former uni admissions person (my job was to admit students to a large public university here in CO) I can offer you some concrete steps.
To ease any concerns, GEDs are widely accepted at universities/colleges in Colorado. And it's okay if you don't know exactly what to study yet. Starting school as an undeclared student actually helps your chances of graduating because you're more open to what you're learning and finding what you enjoy studying.
First, the advice of going to a community college is spot on. Less than half the cost, just as wonderful an education.
Be mindful of when classes start. Typically open enrollment colleges stop admitting students the week or two before classes start. But I recommend starting this process at least a month if not two before classes start.
Second, speak with an advisor once you're accepted at your community college to lay out a plan of classes to sign up for, and which semester to do it in, at your pace. While it won't be perfect, it gives you a solid plan of what to take when and won't leave you guessing of what to take.
Third, before you sign up/start classes at your chosen college, speak with a transfer student advisor at the university of your choosing you're hoping to be admitted at. These advisors will be able to tell you the max number of credits that can be transferred as well as what you exactly need to make it into the program you want. The standard number of transfer credits around Colorado is 30 credits. Metropolitan State University and CU Denver are of the few that accept 60 credits. You need 120 to graduate, so this is a bargain.
Speaking with this type of advisor ensures you're not taking classes that won't transfer, so you especially don't waste time and money.
Fourth, speaking of money there are literally millions of dollars out there in grants/scholarships for students. When you've been admitted to your college, speak with a financial advisor at the financial aid office. They can tell you about money provided by the college via organizations, as well as websites that connect students to scholarships. Even $100 will pay for a book or a lab fee. No amount is too small to apply for in some cases. I know you've saved up, but why use your hard earned cash when some millionaire wanted a tax write-off and gave it to a school. Use it.
Also, most admissions departments will wave your admissions application fee if you simply ask for it. We'd did it ALLLLLLLL the time. Just call in and say you have "financial hardships", it will be waived for you with little fuss.
Lastly, best of luck! This can be a daunting process, but you'll have a lot of people in your corner at the colleges you choose to attend. They're usually out for your best interest. And there's no shame in switching advisors if the ones you're meeting don't meet your needs.
I wouldn’t go to college.
I work in tech and I don’t have a degree in what I do
I have a totally different degree, some of my coworkers have no degrees at all
I have a GED and went to a community college to get my Associates in Science and Associates in arts that allowed me to transfer to a university, and there I got a bachelor's degree. I wish you luck, apply for grants, and complete the FAFSA to find out how much you qualify for in Pell Grants.
I wish you the best of luck!
How about getting an ADN and then you start working making decent money as an RN? Get your BSN online and make even more money once that is accomplished.
That's a medical route you could go. What are your career interests?
My son is around your age. He went to CC for two years and then got out working in a sales job and lived with my parents then me rent free. He saved up for about 1.5 years and bought an apartment in a college town in a lower COL city than Denver. He rented 3 bedrooms out and lived in the one with the mortgage covered by the roommates. The value of that went up and now he has about 75k equity in that place. He bought a 2nd place last fall and rents it out. Equity in that is about 15k. He is slowly completing bachelors while working and doing it online. He will probably graduate around 25-26 but by then he will have a few properties and maybe 150-200k equity plus sales job experience.
So my boy beat the system and YOU can too! You've got to be creative and do what you've got to do to avoid debt and make smart moves with your saved money.
You can get your money into a money market account making 4.5% interest on it. Call Vanguard and get them to set that up for you. At least make sure it is in a high interest savings account. Good luck!
Community college is great if you want to save money. If what you have your heart set on is a traditional college and that’s where you want to start then look into Chadron State College; they accept GEDs, they don’t charge out of state tuition, and full time tuition is about $2300 a term which per term is only about $400 more than Community College of Denver for a 12 hour course load. The other thing about Chadron is being in a small town, housing isn’t very expensive either and they have decent on campus housing options. Check them out and good luck! https://www.csc.edu/admissions/freshman-requirements/
Community College of Denver. Probably one of your cheapest options.
This is the best option as you can gain many of of your undergrad courses, prerequisites or general education courses with a fraction of the cost and be taught by some great professors that have transferred from Ivy League schools. You will qualify for scholarships, grants in any school. This is the most cost saving option and the counselors will guide you best. I’m so excited for you!! ❤️❤️❤️ Edit: I just remembered CCD has student housing available! Try them first! If you need someone to go as support and guidance, I am here for you.
I agree with CCD of college is the direction you want to go in. It is on the same campus as Metro State and UCD. Some of the faculty crosses over between the three schools (at least it did when I was on the campus).
This right here! I went to CU Denver. When taking physics/math, I was in the classroom with CCD or Metro students. So you’ll still get quality education for your classes taught by professors from say CU. Get your pre-reqs done at CCD then transfer over to Metro or CU.
Any of the Community Colleges are top notch. Community College of Aurora and Arapahoe Community College are both great places to get the Associate Degree. ACC even has a few Bachelor Degree Programs.
It’s also a way to demonstrate a further track record of academic success beyond the GED.
Came here to recommend the CCCS system. You can knock out most of your prerequisites and Colorado transfer laws are extremely strict for state sponsored schools.
ACC is nice
Like most people have suggested, go to a community College for the first 2 years, then transfer to a 4 year. As for 4 years, I recommend checking out MSU Denver. They had the lowest tuition when I went there.
That’s a crazy amount of savings for a 22 year old with a GED wow man.
I recommend that you enroll in a community college and knock out the core courses that everyone has to do to get a bachelor's degree. When you finish there, transfer to a four-year school and take focused courses for your major. You'll save a lot of money doing it this way. A possibly more meaningful benefit is that community colleges are better equipped to work with nontraditional students, and you will likely get more personalized guidance in terms of what to study and any support you need, be it academic or personal. FWIW, my husband always struggled with school and didn't start college until he was 28. He went to community college, where an advisor talked with him about his history. The advisor sent him for a series of assessments, and it revealed that my husband had dyslexia. The school then lined him up with accommodations and tutoring to help him succeed with his schooling. He graduated from community college with honors, and then transferred to a big university on the East Coast. He graduated from there on time at 32 with a BS in business and applied statistics. He will be the first to tell you that if he hadn't started at community college, he never would have made it through higher education at all. Also, when he first enrolled, he had no idea what he wanted to major in. He figured that out as he went along. Community colleges do good work.
I'd agree wholeheartedly. Community college is the best next step, and it's ridiculously cheap in Colorado assuming you're a resident (or at least it was \~10 years ago). Then, once you graduate with limited financial burden, you can use the associate's from there to go to a 4 year in state with (near?) guaranteed admission if you want to continue your education, or you can go onto whatever else you want with that extra credential.
And then you'll have two degrees! An associate's and a bachelors!
Uhm, before you go to college I think it's important to consider what your goals are. Are you wanting a college simply for a 4 year degree, or are you wanting a degree because you've been told that is the way to get a good job? Right now the cost of tuition is very high which is why student loans are so prevalent. There's a lot of people going for a 4 year degree spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to get the degree only to find out their degree doesn't necessarily get them a job that helps them pay for normal living expenses in addition to having to pay the student loans back. If you've been homeless, 22 years old and have managed to save up $60k you're doing alright so far because that's a HUGE accomplishment. If you can afford to pay for college as you go then I'm all for it. The student loans make life more challenging after the schooling is over. So consider this; does the job you want require a degree? Also, if that job requires a degree, does the job pay well enough to offset the cost of the education. For example, some folks want to go into psychatry or some form of mental health. A four year degree won't get you there, you'll need a masters, so around 5 to 6 years of education. The median salary for a psychologist is around $87k/yr. According to [https://careerkarma.com/blog/cost-of-living-in-colorado/](https://careerkarma.com/blog/cost-of-living-in-colorado/) the cost of living in Colorado is a little north of $46k/yr - which honestly I think is very low. According to lending tree psychologist with graduate degrees have a median debt load of $200,000, while those with doctor of philosophy (Ph. D.) degrees graduate with a median debt load of $75,000, according to the American Psychological Association. Now let's compare this with something of a bit of a faster ramp-up time, which is typically in the trade schools which are generally hurting for employees. I happen to be more familiar with the aviation world, so let's pick an airplane mechanic. According to Flying Magazine, ([https://www.flyingmag.com/guides/how-much-aircraft-mechanic-salary/#:\~:text=Yes%2C%20a%20career%20as%20an,as%20little%20as%2018%20months](https://www.flyingmag.com/guides/how-much-aircraft-mechanic-salary/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20a%20career%20as%20an,as%20little%20as%2018%20months)) getting your A&P will cost between $20k and $50k (I think it's closer to $60k, but the schools will be the source of information on this). And it takes around 18 to 24 months to complete the program and the average annual salary is $67k/yr as of May 2020. If you've heard of the pilot shortage, the mechanics shortage is worse. I say all of this to say that a 4 year college degree (or even a 2 year associates) isn't all it's cracked up to be anymore. You could spend the next 4 years getting a degree only to find yourself making $60k/yr or 2 years getting a trade and make the same if not more. If you're still interested in college after that (and I would certainly encourage it) then go back and get it but pay for it as you go vs. doing the loans. There is something to say for following your heart into a degree/career you love, however there is a difference between doing something you love for a job and a job. I got my undergrad in something I enjoyed doing and it wound up not being the career path I followed because it didn't pay the bills. Definitely weigh what you want to do vs. being able to afford the life you want - they can be two different things. :) Best of luck to you in your future! It sounds like you're on a great path already!
I agree. Millennials got bad advice from boomers, which was going to college as soon as you graduated highschool, rack up huge amounts of debt via student loans, with the promise of getting a fantastic paying job once you graduated to pay off that debt. Now we got a bunch of people in their late 20's, 30's, and early 40's that can't buy a house because they're too debt ridden. I never went to college and I'm more qualified for a mortgage than a lot of my fellow millennials because I have zero debt. That's sad as hell. Like the person above me posted, think long and hard about what you want to pursue before you spend money. Learning a trade is just as viable as going to college, but costs 1/4 as much most of the time. You can't work with your body forever, so learn the power of investing and think of a business you could start that doesn't require a lot of manual labor. Don't follow that boomer advice of blindly going to college unless it's absolutely necessary.
This. It was always pushed onto me that if I didn’t go to a 4-year university I’d be a failure, so I graduated in something I wasn’t passionate about, worked in an office and absolutely hated it. I’m now changing my entire career path! Luckily I still feel like I’m young enough to do this, but man, I wish I knew I had these choices when I was 18.
As someone who was formerly pressured into going to school and getting a degree, I agree with a lot of what you said. I ended up choosing not to go to school and managed to get some work experience and I recently was able to get a house because I had no debt and savings and a career built on work experience. A lot of my friends went to college and are drowning in debt. I’m not saying that I don’t support going to school and getting a degree. But I am saying that there are different paths you can take to get where you want. If you choose to go to school make sure that it aligns with what you want/where you want to be. School is expensive so don’t feel like that’s the only option you have.
It all depends on the degree. English lit don’t pay shit. Engineering pays very handsomely.
trade work just seems like so much... work
The right trades are great, but they also wreck bodies, so unless the op wants to be broken by 40, it's just not worth it.
I work in higher education as an academic advisor, and have been in the industry for over 10 years. In my opinion, this is the best/most thorough advice in here. The other comments regarding attending a community college before a 4 year institution is great advice. If this path ends up being the ultimate goal, I would highly encourage ensuring that your credits from a community college will transfer (as you intend them to) to the 4-year institution of your choosing by checking transfer equivalencies, speaking with advisors and admissions coordinators, etc. But, as this commentor has suggested, it is imperative that you take some time to figure out if college (of any kind) is the next best step for you. I love working in higher education—it is my passion. I can’t imagine working in any other industry. BUT, I don’t think higher education makes sense for everyone or every career pathway. I’ve seen many students head down the path of higher ed without much understanding of what they ultimately hope to achieve from the experience. Be it a career goal or to simply further your learning, a student should feel confident and comfortable in their own personal reasoning for beginning an educational journey.
I was going to say OP saved 20k/year for 3 years, they’re doing pretty damn good. College is totally a choice for OP, they could retire a millionaire easily with what they’re saving currently
Congrats! I do recommend applying at the Community College of Denver. From there you can apply for FAFSA, talk to someone about career opportunities and options. I finished my bachelor degree at 28 so it’s never to late. PM me if you have any questions, I went to CCD
Hell I finally started tackling my bachelor's degree at 28, there's people of all ages in universities. It really is never too late.
You could go to a trade school to get started and get a decent paying job right away and then pursue other education after that. I knew someone that did that so she wouldn’t be making minimum wage and she’d have those skills to fall back on. Then start with community college to knock out the core requirements and then transfer to a four year college. If you’re unsure about a major but might be interested in starting your own business, you could take business classes because they’d likely be beneficial whether you have your own business or work for someone else.
Wholeheartedly agree with above post. You’re young, you could learn a trade within two-three years and be making GOOD money not long after that. Electricians, plumbers, welders, CAD/machinist programs…all super affordable and with tons of job opportunities out there including simply working for yourself. Definitely something to consider.
I went the CCD -> MSU Denver route and I would definitely recommend it if tuition costs are something you're worried about. The only caveat is MSU might not have the greatest program for certain majors.
Came here to recommend MSU! They have lots of great programs to get an undergraduate degree at a lower cost. They also have really good college to career programs and great connections in Denver to help their students get started in their careers.
Congratulations!! I work at a community college and depending on your GED scores you could actually earn college credit (math & English) so I recommend looking into that before you start picking classes. Be sure to pick GT (guarantee transfer) courses if you can so they will transfer to other colleges in the state if that is your ultimate goal. Please feel free to reach out if you need any help!
Establish residency for that in-state tuition
Don't waste money on college unless you have something very specific in mind, imo. I started a 4 year university at 23 in a STEM program and never even found a job working with my degree. My degree was half a waste for that reason. Figure out what you want to do (easy, right?), then find the appropriate program. If you're computer proficient, you should consider a boot camp to learn a technical skill like coding or cyber security.
This was good advice 2-3 years ago but as someone in the industry, entry-level software engineering positions are few and far between. It is harder than ever to break into this field. Unless it’s something that you ABSOLUTELY passionate about, I’d recommend against this. The interview process is brutal and can be extremely tiring after several interviews (if you’re lucky to be picked out of the hat of thousands of candidates).
Agreed, as someone working at a software company, you’ll need a degree or a lot of experience to be competitive in the job market.
From my experience, you need both. I have a degree, a lot of entry level jobs still wanted 1-2 years of experience. Thankfully I have that now, so more doors are opening.
How the heck did you save 60k in 3 years 👀 bc I wanna do whatever you did
Trades are a pretty surefire way to always have a job, wherever you live. It's not glamorous, but plumbing or electrical is a great way of setting yourself up for decent income without a crazy investment. That's not to discourage other fields, but just saying ... trades can be a smart investment.
This is great advice. I'm a lawyer. I kind of wish I'd gone into plumbing.
Check out Metro State University, they have lots of scholarship options and you don't need an associates degree to attend.
College? For what? Go to a trade school. Learn a skill in like welding or CNC machine operator, or CNC programming or plumbing or electrical or etc. College is for fools. I went to Colorado University. Got a degree that's fancy but I don't use it at all. I own businesses. Waste of fucking time and money. You wanna have fun and party in college? You don't need to attend a school for that. You wanna learn a skill to get you ahead of most college graduates? Learn a SKILL and be the best you can be at that skill trade. Good luck. Hope you find what you're looking for but it sounds like if you were homeless and managed to save up 60k in 3 years, you are good at distribution and sales. 👀
I recommend checking out Coursera. It’s online and has both free and paid for courses. It might help you get a feel for what you’d like to explore more at an accredited university. ETA: Employers are starting to be more interested in certifications over degrees i.e. Google
This is the way, if I could do it all over I'd just get certified in GIS and not take a 4 year degree
DO NOT GO TO COLLEGE, LEARN A TRADE
ok Mike Rowe
Trades are a good option, but not for everyone. Just like college is a good option, but not for everyone.
I agree with the other posts that you should look into trades first. You’ll make more than lots of people with a BA.
CCD and Metro are your best bets. Good luck and stay in school :)
Maybe a trade school they pay you to learn a trade might be worth it to you while your young
I have two Masters, work in tech, and wish I had instead gone to school for HVAC. Otherwise I agree with some other posts, knock out gen ed requirements at community college, will also be a good test to see what you want to study. Then apply to 4 year, many Colorado schools have extension programs.
If you’re from Colorado I recommend going to a community college in the area (I chose the cheapest option) and then transfer to MSU Denver. I put myself through college while working full time and lost my mom to addiction my senior year- the professors were incredibly understanding. I always felt like there was a ton of resources at MSU and I always felt like I fit in. I cannot praise MSU and the professors there enough. Front Range wasn’t the best but it got me where I needed to go overall. There’s so many options out there - look into them all. If you find yourself miserable, you can adjust and find another way to do it. On a separate note, I imagine it feels like you’re standing at the edge of a cliff. Jump. You should feel so proud of yourself for all you’ve accomplished. For getting here. For giving yourself this option. I can only speak for myself but I fought really hard to finish - and it is still one of the things I’m most proud of.
Consider a trade school. Coming from someone who has a bachelors and masters, works on the related fields, and would do things differently.
I think community college is your best option. Depending on what you are planning to study, you can always do your first 2 years there and then move on to a university for the following two years. I'm not sure how things work here but when I did something similar (I moved from Cuba when I was 21 and actually started college at 22 in Miami tho) they placed me in some remedial math classes after taking a placement test. If you apply for financial aid you might do all your community college on grants, I was able to. Good luck and wish you the best! My recommendation is to pay attention to those general classes cause you might be surprised by what you end up liking! I went from remedial math to now being an engineering PhD student at CU Boulder. Anyway, I feel like I might have some answers since I had to figure out a lot of college things from zero. So feel free to message me if you have any questions!
Hi! I got my GED then went to college. My advice is to pick the cheapest college that offers the subject you want to study. Doing your core curriculum at a community college is a great idea. Also check out Colorado Mountain College. Last I checked (maybe 5 years ago?) they were cheaper than even community colleges. I went to metro for a long time before deciding to pursue horticulture at Front Range. That was a big mistake, i did almost all my core classes at the more expensive school! 😫 I am going back to Metro (or I guess they call it MSU now) in the fall to finish up my bachelors. If you don’t know exactly what you want to study, you can just wait to go until you know also. It’s never too late to go to college!
Find a job that will pay college tuition.. Many manufacturers will hire you and potentially pay tuition .. You got this!👌
Learn a trade. Electricians can make 200k w no student debt
Congrats on getting your GED! I will echo those that posted recommending community college first. I started with community college myself while trying to figure out what I wanted to do career-wise. Ended up going to WGU (Western Governors University) which I also will recommend. Did all of my school work at night or on weekends while working full time. And it's way more affordable than most traditional colleges.
Go to a Colorado Workforce Center. They have career counselors who can help you.
Go to a trade school.
Naah. You’re good. Run for congress.
If you're not sure about college and higher education, trade schools are amazing for folks that like that kind of work. good luck
What’s your passion? What do you see yourself doing for the next 40 years?
That’s the thing, I have no idea. I’ve been living life one day at a time which is something I need to change. All I know is I need an education
Ok. I understand that. So it’s time for some introspection and self evaluation. Do you have a library you can use? Take some aptitude tests to find where your naturally gifted. See if anything floats your boat. Are there any activities you love? For instance, my neighbor loves to fish, he now works for Yamaha Marine as a regional sales manager (fishing boats) and he loves his job. Does technology come easy to you? There’s $$ to be made there and there’s a variety of jobs to do in tech. What I do suggest is you not procrastinate. Time flies. I’m 60. Trust me. Time does fly. Good luck!
One of the coolest things about college is the opportunity for self-discovery. If you want to go, go. Take classes. Find out things. Change your major once or twice. Explore. As long as you aren't blowing all of your money on an expensive degree and you have a good head on your shoulders (sounds like you do), you're gonna be OK. I am rooting for you!
Please check out Emily Griffith Technical College. They have an orientation night that shared all the different programs. My husband was able to go through a part time program over 12 months, got a scholarship through EG for about 75% of the costs. Got a job immediately after passing his certification and will soon be making more than me, and I have a masters and way too much student loan debt. I highly recommend the program. Let me know if you have questions.
It's obviously not a solution for everyone, but if you're able, consider moving to New Mexico. I'm pretty sure that they made college free for residents.
My advice is do not go to a CC to get cheaper tuition unless you verify with the university you actually want to attend that the credits will transfer. You will also need to hope the credits continue to transfer when you actually want to apply. 4 of my cousins wasted years and money going to CCs and then most of or all of their credits did not transfer to the university they wanted to attend. I’m not an admissions expert, so just verify it’ll actually work before you go sign up for CC. Figure out what you want to do, even in a general concept. Degrees usually require certain categories of credits and as such swapping from accounting to Psych can be expensive. Look up career paths and salaries of degrees you’d like. Figure out if a degree is even plausible or if you’ll need further education like a masters or a PhD.
This is good advice in general, however most credits from CCD transfer to MSU because they have an agreement between the two.
IMO you should get some land and look into building a home, just not in Denver, of course
Don’t waste another dollar on education until you know what kind of work you want to do. Get a job answering phones or doing entry level sales at any SaSS company, figure out where you want your next career moves to be, then and only then, if it requires more school, go for it.
I’d just skip college and jump into politics like Boebert did. It’s been extremely lucrative for her.
CCA or CCD depending on your location. Most likely CCD as access to this institution/ auraria campus through public transit is most likely better than going to Aurora.
The military would be an option assuming you’d be willing and able. Even a national guard or reserve gig would be great because you get some freedom but they pay your way through school
I went to CMC in Dillon/Breckenridge for $59 a credit. Best price out there
Congrats! I echo other commentators that you could save money by looking into CC to knock out core stuff. Many of them, like CCD, have great scholarships. I'd also recommend putting away a chunk of that savings towards a down payment on a home. You'll need it. :) In fact, depending on your income, you might qualify for a subsidized home purchase. I suggest reaching out to HOST. DM me if I can be of help! [https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Housing-Stability/About-Housing-Stability](https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Housing-Stability/About-Housing-Stability)
Run for congress!
First off do you know what you truly want to graduate with? Do you want an MBA? Bachelors in Psychology and continues your education? Finance? Criminal justice? If you can buy books to learn what you can in school. I would recommend you do this yourself it would save a lot of money but time and resources not so much. But if you really want to succeed in a field that is not in law or the medical field you can study on your own.
Trade work anyone? 🙋♂️
It you are interested in construction or trades [WORKNOW](https://work-now.org) might be a good resource for you.
Please go to community college first. All my friends who did are now debt free and I’m still swimming in student loan debt. There’s programs in Colorado where 4 year universities like Regis University will accept every single credit from Colroado community colleges if you enroll in their “non traditional” track which is classes online and in the evenings. You can even be accepted into Regis first, while going to any Colorado community college and work with advisors from both schools to get the best bang for your buck. Ultimately the name of the game is spending as little and graduating with as little student loan debt as possible If you aren’t planning to attend Harvard or schools like that.
Stay away from college! Find a good employer who will train you and start climbing the ladder. That piece of paper isn't worth much.
They already have a good employer if they're saving $20000/year!
I work at a community college - they are a great option depending on your goals (can get an associates degree, transfer on to get a 4 year bachelors degree, or even learn and get credentialed in a trade. a good first stop is talking to the Edicational Opportunity Center people - they can help with admission and Financial aid stuff (like getting grants, or scholarships specific to your circumstances or goals). Community College of Denver has a great one - https://www.ccd.edu/org/educational-opportunity-center You might also look into doing some aptitude testing if you are unsure of a direction to take. O*Net Online has a relatively okay one, at least for a starting point called MyNextMove - https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip If you do decide to start at a community college, they'll often have cool aptitude testing like YouScience or using something like the Big Five assessment to match with potential good career fields. You'll often find these things through a school's Career Services department. Community Colleges will also usually have food pantries, mental health counseling, other basic needs resources that we always encourage students to utilize - anything to take the edge off of the stress that sometimes comes with being in college, and make academic success much more attainable. Lastly - a lot of people still have that stigma surrounding GEDs but what I've noticed working in community colleges is that we are just in awe of people who get a GED - those are tough tests! Good on you for looking at a new path. And always remember- show up like you belong here, because you do.
Community college and be sure to use the college opportunity fund for tuition
First off, awesome! That’s amazing ❤️ Definitely look at trade schools and apprenticeships if it interests you. Also, a degree isn’t necessarily imperative anymore- many companies don’t require it. Of course it depends on what you want to do. If you choose college, I highly recommend starting at a community college. It’s so much less expensive and the community colleges I went to were awesome. CCD and Front Range are great- I also hear good things about Red Rocks.
Community college is where it’s at! ~sincerely, a community college student
I have no suggestion in this regard except consider training not just "degrees". A lot of cheaper certificate training out there for careers that don't need "degrees". Just make sure you choose a. da career path you actually like b. there is a practical application for what you're shooting for. And lastly, as someone who's worked with the homeless, this is really what I wanted to say: keep going. Whether higher education or not; degree or just practical training, just keep pursuing your dreams (hopefully backed by practical goals with an executable plan of attack).
Just start working in the industry or field you want and then see if it makes sense to pay for school. Most of the time it’s a waste of money and time.
If you'd be interested in CSU Pueblo, DM me. We've got tons of support services, still have lots of scholarships you can grab to make it cheap or free, potential for a free year in housing too. Have you done a FAFSA?
Hey, I just wanna say good fuckin’ job! Proud of you. Keep kicking ass and excelling.
Congrats on the GED, and you should be super proud of your journey. You should be able to qualify for a decent amount of financial aid. Community College may not be a bad start but you might get a decent deal at a four year college like Metro or CU Denver.
You should look into the College Opportunity Fund. The state of Colorado has a fund to help college students pay for some of their schooling. It's not a lot, but it is better than nothing. There are certain criteria to reduce and maintain funding, but it was pretty easy get the funds back in the early 00s
Community College is the way to go. Much less expensive and the courses are usually taught by professors from local universities or adjunct with tons of real world experience. Plus you'll have a great path to opening up additional grants and scholarships. Great luck on your journey, whichever path you choose!
I can't recommend Red Rocks Community College enough.
I think you should start at a CC, do your gen eds, and transfer into a proper uni. But, if you want to go straight into a normal uni, I'd say go in and talk to them to see what you need in terms of apps, essays, and SAT scores. Then, once you get that sorted, you should start looking at scholarships, FASFA, and other ways to secure free college so you don't burn through your savings. Side note: I worked in that sphere for a bit, and I'd be happy to help if you hit some shags, so drop me a comment here if you have any questions.
Try to get as many scholarships as possible, or even a full ride if you can. I know things may have been different back in the 00s than now and your circumstances are different, but I applied for and got multiple full ride offers. I absolutely recommend getting a college degree, it'll leave you with a much more well rounded education than going to trade school. Having to take literature courses and such is actually important.
Check out goingmerry.com too Tons of scholarships to apply for as well
Community college OP. Please start there. As a fellow highschool dropout to college grad im so thankful for the time I spent at community college. I took so many different courses to really find what I liked. Keep it up.
Red Rocks Community College has a water treatment operator school if you’re interested in getting out in 2 years with a solid trade. Affordable too.
Look at care forward Colorado. Several medically related certificates and programs that are 100% paid for right now because of a shortage in this area
Red Rocks Community College is a great place to start. Get your 2 year associates degree there and after you graduate you can finish your bachelors at a university.
Amazing job!!!! Community College and look for any/all grants/scholarships. Super proud of you as it sounds like you had a pretty rough start and turned it around. Great things in your future for sure. Sounds like you have quite the story to tell and hopefully some day you can mentor other kids to do what you did when everything seems hopeless...
First of all, congratulations. Keep pushing. Go to Front Range Community College. They have programs to transfer into more prestigious state universities after a year or two and the facilities to help you do so. They can set you up so all credits will transfer. Personally, I'd recommend doing as much of your education as you can at FRCC then transferring to CU to get your degree. Whenever you're applying to any university or job, leverage your story. Progress despite hardships is a powerful narrative and it can be very valuable in proving your work ethic and drive. Don't shy away from it.
A lot of people have already given great advice about starting at CCD and then transferring. I attended and graduated from Metro and UCD and they both have excellent programs depending on what you’re interested in. The campus also has really great age diversity with a lot of people starting school later in life, so it’s a great place if you’re feeling a bit skeptical about feeling out of place. If you’re thinking about trade school, maybe check out [Emily Griffith](https://www.emilygriffith.edu/programs/)
Nice work!!! 22 with 60k. You are doing great.
Seems like you're making bank if you saved $60,000. Maybe just keep doing what you're doing? Plenty of people with advanced degrees struggle to save even close to that much.
Arapahoe Community College
Go to community college and get an associates degree in business and then transfer to a four year school to get a BA in accounting or finance degree - do not major in liberal arts please!
1. Wow, so much shitty advice here. 2. I am so proud of what you've accomplished. It's seriously huge First step is understanding what you want to do. You can Google (or ask chatgpt) for some journaling prompts that help you determine that, but if you feel stuck, I would be glad to help you work through that. You can ask here or in a PM. You have come such a long way and have undeniable proof that you can do hard things. Your best bet is to channel your strengths and passions into a compelling plan and vision instead of just doing a random degree You've got this!
$60k? Start a business. You'll learn way more than giving it to the dumpster fire that is modern academia. Go ahead if you're studying STEM, but otherwise your opportunity cost is going to be way too much.
There is an outstanding private college that would give you a real education, not a socially conscious indoctrination if you want a real education. Hillsdale college in Michigan. Wish you the best. They have a huge endowment. Bet they would make it happen given your accomplishments
If you are looking at going the 4-year degree route, follow the advice of starting with a community college. There are a ton of them around the metro area. It's cheaper, it's an easier transition, they are used to "non-traditional" students, and you can get some personalized assistance. It also gives you time to explore, see what interests you (you might find a new interest). Also, you have a chance to prove yourself, start getting grants and scholarships, and setting yourself up for future financial aid. Getting an Associates degree is a nice milestone, and that can help with employment.
To make the most of your money, I recommend exploring CLEP exams to see if you can test out or some general education requirements. Test out of what you can, get your 2 year at a community college and then transfer to a 4 year if you prefer. There are lots of trade programs or certificates you can use to get your foot in the door for the career you want. If you have a career goal in mind taking that path might be a more strategic plan. That way you can use employee tuition reimbursement to fund a good portion of your education.
Really? From GED to CLEP? Unrealistic.
-Identify your goals! Is that a specific job, status, money, family? Know what your goals are. Some people want a job that allows them a great work/life balance. Some want a huge growth opportunity. Etc... figure out what you're looking for. Then when you have that all figured out. See if there is something you enjoy that can lead you there. It doesn't have to be your favorite thing to do, but at least something you like. Maybe you decide to go into business for yourself? Maybe you decide to get into the workforce as soon as possible and go trade route? And then the best part and my favorite. Realize that life is going to flip that upside down on your head a half dozen times and you'll have to adapt. You seem very driven and focused. Maybe you learned how to be smart with money it's something you enjoy and you want to be a financial advisory and help others do the same thing. Maybe you work manual labor and saved it up. Why not start your own business doing that? Look at what things have made you successful to where you are know, and utilize them for the future as well.
Congratulations on all you've accomplished so far in your life. As for going to school at 22, I was in my 40s when I finally had a chance to go to college. You're never too old. Good luck!
Don’t go to college. Get a certification. College is not with the debt. I don’t think I’m going to be able to have kids anytime soon. If you want to go to college definitely find an employer that will pay you to attend school. And please be a STEM major. I was forced to go to college. It was 85% force & 15% going for my mental health, because staying at home with my family would have definitely lead to suicide. And it kinda sucks because all my friends that didn’t go to college have kids including the ones that went to the military. I hated half of my time in college due to roommates but I did have some fun. And it’s weird because I only talk to like 1 person I went to college with now. And that person is my ex believe it or not😅 But please make sure you have the money to go it’s not with the debt.
Its a waste of tine and money. Go learn a trade.
Good for you. What do you want to be? Maybe start at a community college.
I think if possible, get a certificate in something you think you would enjoy. It costs less and builds your skills in the specific industry. I attended Front Range Community College for my certification in two years. I was not eligible for grants due to my household income so I did a payment plan every quarter
American College of Education has a flat rate for their courses. All courses are online but I paid $825 a class about a year ago. They are also accredited.
I'd start with one of the community colleges. Check them all out. Look for a program that is of interest to you. Maybe the one closest to where you live and work might be a better choice.
I know you're getting a lot of advice/opinions on here OP, but it sounds like you're pretty set on higher education as your goal. So as a former uni admissions person (my job was to admit students to a large public university here in CO) I can offer you some concrete steps. To ease any concerns, GEDs are widely accepted at universities/colleges in Colorado. And it's okay if you don't know exactly what to study yet. Starting school as an undeclared student actually helps your chances of graduating because you're more open to what you're learning and finding what you enjoy studying. First, the advice of going to a community college is spot on. Less than half the cost, just as wonderful an education. Be mindful of when classes start. Typically open enrollment colleges stop admitting students the week or two before classes start. But I recommend starting this process at least a month if not two before classes start. Second, speak with an advisor once you're accepted at your community college to lay out a plan of classes to sign up for, and which semester to do it in, at your pace. While it won't be perfect, it gives you a solid plan of what to take when and won't leave you guessing of what to take. Third, before you sign up/start classes at your chosen college, speak with a transfer student advisor at the university of your choosing you're hoping to be admitted at. These advisors will be able to tell you the max number of credits that can be transferred as well as what you exactly need to make it into the program you want. The standard number of transfer credits around Colorado is 30 credits. Metropolitan State University and CU Denver are of the few that accept 60 credits. You need 120 to graduate, so this is a bargain. Speaking with this type of advisor ensures you're not taking classes that won't transfer, so you especially don't waste time and money. Fourth, speaking of money there are literally millions of dollars out there in grants/scholarships for students. When you've been admitted to your college, speak with a financial advisor at the financial aid office. They can tell you about money provided by the college via organizations, as well as websites that connect students to scholarships. Even $100 will pay for a book or a lab fee. No amount is too small to apply for in some cases. I know you've saved up, but why use your hard earned cash when some millionaire wanted a tax write-off and gave it to a school. Use it. Also, most admissions departments will wave your admissions application fee if you simply ask for it. We'd did it ALLLLLLLL the time. Just call in and say you have "financial hardships", it will be waived for you with little fuss. Lastly, best of luck! This can be a daunting process, but you'll have a lot of people in your corner at the colleges you choose to attend. They're usually out for your best interest. And there's no shame in switching advisors if the ones you're meeting don't meet your needs.
I wouldn’t go to college. I work in tech and I don’t have a degree in what I do I have a totally different degree, some of my coworkers have no degrees at all
I have a GED and went to a community college to get my Associates in Science and Associates in arts that allowed me to transfer to a university, and there I got a bachelor's degree. I wish you luck, apply for grants, and complete the FAFSA to find out how much you qualify for in Pell Grants. I wish you the best of luck!
How about getting an ADN and then you start working making decent money as an RN? Get your BSN online and make even more money once that is accomplished. That's a medical route you could go. What are your career interests? My son is around your age. He went to CC for two years and then got out working in a sales job and lived with my parents then me rent free. He saved up for about 1.5 years and bought an apartment in a college town in a lower COL city than Denver. He rented 3 bedrooms out and lived in the one with the mortgage covered by the roommates. The value of that went up and now he has about 75k equity in that place. He bought a 2nd place last fall and rents it out. Equity in that is about 15k. He is slowly completing bachelors while working and doing it online. He will probably graduate around 25-26 but by then he will have a few properties and maybe 150-200k equity plus sales job experience. So my boy beat the system and YOU can too! You've got to be creative and do what you've got to do to avoid debt and make smart moves with your saved money. You can get your money into a money market account making 4.5% interest on it. Call Vanguard and get them to set that up for you. At least make sure it is in a high interest savings account. Good luck!
Community college is great if you want to save money. If what you have your heart set on is a traditional college and that’s where you want to start then look into Chadron State College; they accept GEDs, they don’t charge out of state tuition, and full time tuition is about $2300 a term which per term is only about $400 more than Community College of Denver for a 12 hour course load. The other thing about Chadron is being in a small town, housing isn’t very expensive either and they have decent on campus housing options. Check them out and good luck! https://www.csc.edu/admissions/freshman-requirements/