| Many students, after they graduate from high school, | | | | while you are attending school to earn an associates |
| know that they should probably head off to college in | | | | degree. Junior colleges also offer financial aid to |
| the fall, but many are unsure of what they would like | | | | students who want to earn a |
| to do before committing to a full four-year degree | | | | 2 year degree or who would like to enroll in certificate |
| program. Instead, it makes much more sense to earn | | | | programs. Programs are usually available for senior |
| an associates degree, which is a 2 year degree, at | | | | citizens as well, at an even more reduced tuition rate. |
| community colleges. There are several community | | | | If you wish to earn your GED, there are adult |
| colleges located in each state, and while providing | | | | education classes available at junior colleges enabling |
| outstanding teaching, they are available at a lower cost | | | | you to do so. Junior colleges, as well as four-year |
| than a four-year college and university. The credits | | | | colleges, also offer Running Start programs for high |
| that you earn from an associate of arts degree can | | | | school students at no cost. If you start when you are |
| be applied to a four-year college degree, so that you | | | | sixteen years old, you can graduate from high school |
| would start out at a college or university already at the | | | | with not only your high school diploma but also your |
| Junior year-level. | | | | degree completed from junior college as well at no |
| In addition to associate of arts degree programs, | | | | cost to you. |
| community colleges also offer certificate programs. | | | | An associates degree from a junior college will |
| These certificate programs teach marketable skills and | | | | typically transfer to a four-year college or university. |
| often can be completed in less than two years, giving | | | | It is best to communicate with the four-year school in |
| you the opportunity to study an area that you enjoy | | | | advance of the transfer, to make sure that the |
| and quickly earn a certificate that can qualify you for | | | | classes you are taking in your associate of arts |
| more employment opportunities. Certificate programs | | | | degree they will accept for transfer. You will usually |
| are especially appealing not only to recent high school | | | | be taking general education classes at junior college |
| graduates, but also to returning older students who | | | | that you would have to take at the four-year college |
| would like to add to their resumes or simply learn new | | | | anyway, such as English, Math, History and the like, and |
| skills to make themselves more marketable. | | | | so you simply take these classes at junior college |
| Community, also known as junior, colleges do not offer | | | | instead. |
| housing to students. They do offer night courses and | | | | Learn more about associates or certificate programs |
| often flexible scheduling, which may allow you to work | | | | online at college websites. |