Ivy Tech Community College of Kokomo, Indiana

So you're thinking of going back to school, but you're not too sure which route is the best to take. Big name, major universities offer many qualities you're looking for, but at a price you can not commit to. Perhaps, you'd like to test the water for a while before jumping in. Maybe you'd like to save as much money as you can, taking care of your "basics," and then, you'd like to transfer to a big-name university. If any or all of these descriptions fit your current situation, Ivy Tech community college may be the perfect fit for you.

About Ivy Tech University

Ivy Tech is Indiana's largest post grade-school learning institution, boasting over 110,000 students per year. High enrollment levels are the result of many different variables, one of which being the over 150 programs state wide, all of which could result in an associate degree, or certificate. Completion of any of Ivy Tech's many programs more than likely will land you in a higher paying job, verses that of high school education alone. Ivy Tech is commonly seen as an "associate degree college," but one of the many advantages Ivy Tech offers is the transferability of many of their credits to four-year universities. Ivy Tech is also very affordable. Common annual tuition is less that $3,000 per semester. And with an average class size of 22 students, at you'll be sure to get plenty of face-time with your professors.

Where Can I find Ivy Tech in Kokomo?

Ivy Tech is located almost outside of the city, at 1815 East Morgan St., Kokomo, IN. This can be an advantage, and a disadvantage. When I attended Ivy Tech, It was nearly impossible to reach this school without the use of a car. When my car broke down, (due to a bad fuel pump) I missed several important classes. Kokomo, Indiana lacks a public transportation system, so unless you have a driver, a car, or can afford taxi cabs to and from class, attending Ivy Tech may not be a reality. I could however, see Ivy Tech's secluded location as an advantage though, being kept far away from downtown traffic and parking, allowing you to focus more of your time and energy in the classroom.

How Much Will It Cost Me?

The best selling-point I can give (from personal experience) for attending Ivy Tech, is their financial aid, their financial aid department, and their tuition costs. In my first and second year of Ivy Tech, I attended the university for free, due to my ell grant covering the already in-expensive tuition. While not all will receive a ell grant, those who do fit the qualifications will be happy to find that generally, most, if not all of their tuition at Ivy Tech will be covered, along with a little extra assistance to cover the cost of textbooks. Their financial aid department handles issues in a quick and friendly matter, which is a lot to say, considering the amount of issues they encounter on a daily basis. With a down-hill economy on most people's minds, inexpensive routes to education like Ivy Tech are a fresh breath of air.

What Partnering Universities Will My Credits Transfer to?

This is a complex question that will need a little bit of explanation. To put it simply, your credits will transfer to any of these colleges, given that you meet the required criteria: Indiana State University, Ball State University, IUPUI, and the University of Southern Indiana. However, you need to do your homework (no pun intended) to figure out which credits will lead you to a four year degree, and which credits will not. For starters, many general education credits, and in some cases, all program credits will transfer to selected colleges and universities, but grades below a C normally do not transfer. Each college or university has course specific credit transfer agreements, and you must make sure that the classes you are taking, (if you plan to transfer credits) meet the agreements, for the specific degree you are looking to obtain. For my information about transfering credits, and other Ivy Tech Info, I visited http://www.goivytech.net/admissions/transferFAQ.html. I suggest you do too!

All of this sounds like too much to handle, doesn't it? Relax. Ivy Tech's educated, friendly, and abundant counseling staff can answer any of the questions you have regarding credit transfer, and they are sure to set you on the right path towards your goal.

In summation, it's fair to say that I am a big fan of community college, and of Ivy Tech's community college in general. It's never made sense to me why someone would pay $30,000 for two years of schooling, when they can receive the same credits for $6,000. While Ivy Tech may not have bowling alley's, Star bucks vendors, fraternity clubs, or all-night keggers, they do have one important thing: budget friendly-adult-oriented transferable education for the real world. So if you feel the time is right, enroll yourself today, you'll be thankful tomorrow!