College: It doesn’t have to cost that much (or take too long)

Jake Widner

With the school year under way and the freedom of summer weekdays seemingly over, it is time to start refocusing on academics, and for seniors, plans for after high school. Questions will surface and frantic conversations with parents and relatives will soon be the hot topic at family gatherings and in the grocery store aisle. “What will Lily be doing after high school?” “Where is Conner headed for college?” If you don’t believe me, just give it a few months.

Students and parents alike will wonder how to fund their future plans. Most education after high school is not always affordable, however, it doesn’t have to break anyone’s bank. With Ivy Tech Community College awarding just under $30 million in financial aid awards, grants, and scholarships last school year, it is likely that students will qualify for one or more financial benefits. In fact many students are able to attend tuition-free. Not only does Ivy Tech provide the lowest tuition rates in the state, but the college serves as a strong supporter of a student’s financial well-being.

Based on 2018 numbers, two years at a public Indiana college or university costs approximately $20,000 in tuition. At Ivy Tech, those same 100 and 200-level classes taught with personalized instruction in a small-classroom setting run closer to $8,500 for those same two years. That’s a huge difference.

Plus, thanks to several of Ivy Tech’s transfer agreements, students can take a credential they earned at Ivy Tech and transfer to a four-year college or university. This allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree at a fraction of the cost.

The value of education is so important in our society today. Ivy Tech is working with the state on its adopted “Big Goal” to have 60 percent of the state’s workforce equipped with a high-value, post-secondary degree or credential by 2025. With thousands of jobs to fill, Indiana needs Hoosiers to earn a credential to meet that demand.

This is where the Ivy Tech ASAP Program in Greencastle comes in. Not only does this accelerated degree program offer classes at the state’s lowest tuition rate, but it allows students to earn their two-year degree in just 11-months. The tight-knit learning community of students will all take a very similar set of courses and attend class together Monday-Thursday on the Greencastle Ivy Tech campus. Fridays are reserved for off-campus experiential learning and college visits.

In Greencastle, ASAP students hold an outstanding rate of 88 percent completion in just the one-year timeframe! ASAP is committed to student success and the wrap-around services provided staff and faculty prove that this program is a benefit to all who enroll.

With all that being said, ask high school students in your life what their plans are. Who can they contact to help them achieve their goals? How can I assist them? Please feel free to reach out at jwidner2@ivytech.edu or 765-719-6015.

Considering Ivy Tech and the ASAP Program? Think of someone you know would be a good fit?

Students and families can visit: ivytech.edu or ivytech.edu/asap and select Greencastle for your campus. Follow the listed steps to apply and your local Ivy Tech representative Jake Widner will be in touch and help you with your final steps.

Jake Widner is the associate director of ASAP program at Ivy Tech Greencastle.