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Ivy Tech Greencastle to offer unique ASAP program
ASAP. We all know that acronym well as simply meaning "as soon as possible."
But to a new generation of college students, ASAP could mean the world.
What's ASAP? It's an affordable associates degree achieved debt-free in 11 months for less than $10,000. All the while reducing barriers and receiving comprehensive support -- a key component -- via counseling, academic advising, tutoring, budget assistance and more on a 24/7 basis.
As an associate accelerated program at Ivy Tech Community College, the ASAP program is coming to the Greencastle campus as just the second Ivy Tech branch in central Indiana (and 15th overall in the state) to host what has become known as a life-changing education effort.
Ivy Tech officials were on hand at the Greencastle Kiwanis Club meeting Thursday to share the intricacies of a program scheduled to begin in June at the local campus. It is touted as "the quickest, most affordable and most successful start toward a bachelor's degree."
Students will attend classes Monday through Thursday with Friday held as an internship or externship day or for real-world job experience.
Dave Murray, who continues to exude passion about education from his years at DePauw University and through his current business, the National Center for College Costs, called ASAP "the most cost-effective education program on the planet."
Murray said he is particularly excited to realize that "if we do this here locally, we're going to help a lot of area students and help our employers as well. Employers want applicants with an associates degree."
The ASAP program will allow students -- many of whom might have been at risk for ever attending college -- to accumulate 60 credit hours (12 during the summer, and 24 each in fall and spring sessions) to complete the degree program in 11 months (June-May). Sixty-nine percent of ASAP students have earned a degree in one year.
Students are encouraged to treat college like a job, Ivy Tech officials note, obtaining knowledge and hands-on experience with full support from mentors.
The program is currently for students age 18-21 who must have family support as in a place to live rent-free and worry-free about their meals.
"When I first took this job," Greencastle Ivy Tech Campus President Greg Cook told the Banner Graphic, "I couldn't think of a program that could be a better fit for this community. I'm very excited about seeing that happen."
The ASAP program will be an affordable option, saving students both time and money, with tuition for the 60 credit hours coming in just shy of $8,000 ($7,987),with total cost of about $10,000 once books and fees are included.
Meanwhile, in contrast, 60 credit hours would cost $49,076 at IU Bloomington, $46,064 at Purdue, $38,022 at IUPUI or $37,416 at Indiana State.
That's important, as Murray pointed out, because student loan debt is now more than credit card debt and auto loan debt, reaching the $1.4 trillion mark in the United States.
Significant financial aid will be available, Murray said, noting that funding is being secured through corporate, civic and individual giving.
The Greencastle Citizens Advisory Commission for Industrial Development has made a financial commitment, he said.
Murray and wife Sue, the former mayor of Greencastle, have made a three-year personal commitment to assist the ASAP program which is working with local school districts, businesses and civic organizations for recruitment of students. To nominate a student, persons can email www.ivytech.edu/asap.
Ivy Tech will also be hiring a program coordinator dedicated to the Greencastle ASAP program, hopefully bringing that person on board by the week of Feb. 15-19.
The Kiwanis group heard a first-person account from Tre Robinson, an Indianapolis student graduate of the program, who said essentially that ASAP changed his life.
"College really wasn't realistic for me after high school (at Arsenal Tech)," he said, explaining that "tough family ties" consumed his time and energy as he was charged with taking care of his mother and a brother.
"And debt certainly wasn't an option," Robinson said, noting that a school counselor suggested the ASAP program to him.
"I would not be where I am now without ASAP," he said. "I knew I had to get out of my home situation to progress. Without ASAP, I'd probably be a (restaurant) server somewhere in Indianapolis."
Instead, he's working with computer servers, running the IT department for Interactive Corp. at Indianapolis.
"I have 840 seats I manage single-handedly," Robinson added.
Robinson said the goal-oriented, fast-paced nature of ASAP broke him of bad habits like neglecting homework and putting off studying.
"It really built my confidence," he said. "I don't feel like there's anything they can throw at me now that I'd be afraid of."