How to Earn Free College Credits and Finish Your Degree Sooner

So you want to earn free college credits but don't know how? Finding ways to earn college credits for free can be challenging. Colleges don't advertise these low cost or free class options, and online sources are limited. Don't be discouraged! Below are just a few of the many ways for you to earn these college credits with minimal effort on your part and lower the number of regular classes you need to finish your degree.

1. FEMA Independent Study - The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers free college credits that you can use as general education electives. Their classes are web based and include a multiple-choice test. Once you take the test or tests of your choice, FEMA will send a transcript for your free college credits to the college of your choice. You can find a list of available classes that qualify for one free college credit each at FEMA.

2. Aleks - At $19 a month, this is as close to free college credits as you can get. If you are in need of college math classes, then Aleks is an excellent option. At Aleks, you will find classes in College Algebra, Statistics and Pre-Calculus. Even a novice in math will find this learning system easy to use and a fun way to learn. With no prior knowledge, you should be able to finish a class in under a month. Upon completion, you apply for ACE credits. ACE will then forward a transcript to your home college. Nearly free credits in under a month.

3. Straighterline - Straighterline offers online classes in Accounting, Economics, English and Pre-Calculus. These are not completely free college credits, but for $99 a month, you can work towards credits at a deeply discounted price. Just like Aleks, you can earn ACE credits that will be forwarded to your home college.

4. CLEP and Dantes Tests - CLEP and Dantes exams are computerized tests that can be taken at area colleges and universities. These tests are pass/fail and cost only $80-$85 per test. With over 70 tests available, college students owe it to themselves to work towards earning college credit through testing. Dantes exams once were just for military members, but now anyone can get nearly free college credits through Dantes. By reviewing the list of available tests for CLEP or Dantes, you will find that nearly free college credits are available to everyone.

Since each college and university has their own set of guidelines for accepting credits, it is important that you talk to your student advisor to see if they accept all of these free or almost free college credits.