Republican Rep. Tom Massey said the goal of their recently presented proposal is to allow students to graduate faster and move into the job market quicker and easier “if their experience applies to some college courses.” According to Massey, that could be “someone who has spent months in the military working on a submarine who has gained technological expertise or a writer who can get credit for an English or literature course.”

Known as House Bill 72, the proposal would direct the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to work with public colleges in order to develop a system for awarding credit for experiences by July 1, 2013.

There are a number of institutions of higher education in the state of Colorado that already grant college credit for a passing DSST exam score. These include Adams State College, Colorado Christian University, Colorado Northwestern Community College, Colorado State University, Community College of Denver, Pikes Peak Community College, Regis University, amongst others. However, the level of acceptance varies from institution to institution; from accepting just one or two exam titles for credit at a particular department within the institution, to a college-wide acceptance. The challenge is to have all Colorado institutions of higher education accept credit by examination as a viable, trusted form of prior learning assessment.

Though it is not yet known whether the bill will pass or not and what the implications of implementing the proposal might be, non-traditional students can always count on DSST to offer exams for college credit in a variety of subjects which they may already be familiar with. For just $80 per exam (plus a sitting fee), DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam) provide students the opportunity to graduate college in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost.

Do you think House Bill 72 will pass? Tell us about it in the comments below!

The G.I Bill was created to provide military veterans with financial assistance for earning a college degree after service. In August, however, the G.I Bill changed. According to Mark Waple, a lawyer who represents the Student Veterans Advocacy Group of North Carolina, the G.I Bill no longer pays for out-of-state tuition rates at public universities and community colleges. This means that in order to attend a public university or community college and still be fully covered by the G.I. Bill, veterans must be accepted as in-state students.

Different states come with different requirements, though many won’t classify a student as in-state until they’ve resided there for at least one year. For military veterans returning to civilian life and attempting to earn a college degree, this means paying the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, or waiting another year before enrolling. For those who have already postponed their college careers to serve their country, a year can be a long time.

Fortunately for these brave servicemen and women, DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam) provide an easy and cost-efficient alternative while they solve their in-state/out-of-state situation. By taking exams for college credit, these veterans can earn three credit hours in a single sitting, and for just $80 (plus a sitting fee). With exams in 38 different subjects, these tests can help veterans awaiting residency get a head-start on their degree and graduate faster.

UPCEA, the leading association for colleges and universities engaged in professional, continuing, and online education, and InsideTrack, a leading provider of student coaching, plans to conduct a unique benchmark survey, publish a joint report, and co-host an educational webinar as part of this initiative. Says Robert Hansen, CEO of UPCEA, about the partnership: "UPCEA takes very seriously our responsibility to serve as an important resource to colleges and universities serving nontraditional learners. That is why we launched our Center for Research and Consulting (CRC) and partnered with InsideTrack.” Kai Drekmeier, founder and president of InsideTrack, continues: "Our collaboration with the CRC will provide many exciting opportunities to identify how we can increase graduation rates for working adults."

This research marks a very important step in bettering the education of non-traditional students and making sure that opportunities which exist for them are geared towards their specific needs and lifestyle, much like DSST exams already are. By earning college credit through DSST, a non-traditional student can save both money and time - two especially important factors for adult learners. Adult learners just choose from one of 38 available subject exams, schedule their test, and earn a total of three college credits in a single sitting.

At age 27, Poff returned to civilian life and enrolled in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, an institution which awards credits for DSST exams. After experiencing challenges that are quite normal for veterans transitioning to college life, Poff finally found comfort in what may seem like an unlikely place - the Sigma Chi fraternity at his university. The structure and brotherhood of the fraternity, he found, was similar to his days in the military, and the emotional and mental support it provided made all the difference in his transition. "It made me become a more social person and to understand where civilians are coming from," says Poff of his membership in Sigma Chi.

Adjusting to a new schedule and environment, as Poff quickly learned, is only half the battle for veterans returning to the classroom. Key social adaptations are also necessary, and being unable to relate to peers can even result in failing grades or dropping out of school all together. That’s why Poff’s decision to join a fraternity was a smart one. Other similar support systems found at universities include clubs, pre-professional organizations, and sports teams. Veterans who take advantage of these organized social opportunities may experience a smoother transition, better performance in the classroom, and most importantly, a faster path to graduation.

DSST exams (formerly known as the DANTES exam) provide non-traditional students with the unique opportunity to earn college credits for the knowledge they already have via one-time tests in 38 different subjects - each of which can help veterans take one more step towards earning a degree and entering the workforce.

CollegeWeekLive, the leading online destination for college admission programs, hosted a special military-themed event on December 1, 2011.- The free event, meant to provide military members and veterans with sufficient information for making the proper decision about their education, allowed servicemen and women the opportunity to connect with admission reps from 60 different colleges. What’s more, the program featured live video presentations and accompanying Q+A sessions on the transition process, the G.I. Bill, and a handful of other areas that are of importance to military members and veterans going back to school.

Says Robert Rosenbloom, President and CEO of CollegeWeekLive, about Military Student Day: "We hope that CollegeWeekLive MILITARY STUDENT DAY will help them learn about the college application process, chat live with admissions reps at schools of interest and also learn firsthand how other veterans have successfully transitioned to life on campus."

As a college credit by exam program with a strong focus on military members and veterans, DSST strongly supports this and other initiatives which make it easier for these unique students to go back to school. That’s why we offer our servicemen and women the opportunity to earn college credit for the real-world knowledge they already have in 38 different subjects and for just $80 per exam (plus a sitting fee). As more programs like CollegeWeekLive take the initiative to help our country’s veterans and military members, we hope to see more of them back in the classroom, pursuing their dreams.

As if the stressors that are unique to non-traditional students going back to school aren’t enough, learning and adapting to the digital world we now live in can present an entirely new challenge to overcome. On top of balancing a family and full-time job while trying to keep up in their coursework, these hardworking adult students must also learn the ins and outs of social media, smart phones, tablets, and more - and how all of these things apply to the classroom.

While some older students are well-versed in the technology of the times, the growing population of baby boomers returning to school due to the poor economy has increased the number of students on campus who may feel left behind.

In case you haven’t heard, non-traditional students, DSST offers exams for college credit in 38 subjects and for just $80 (plus a sitting fee). With DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam), you can earn three college credits in a few short hours, leaving more time for learning how to properly use navigate the technology usage in classrooms nowadays while quickly and efficiently pursuing your degree.

Universities all around the country participated in various activities to commemorate Veteran’s Day and show their respect for our country’s veterans. As a program with a special focus on helping military members and veterans quickly and cheaply earn a college degree, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the institutions that do this year-round.

Transitioning from a war-zone into the classroom can be very difficult for military veterans, often due to symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One school that understands the unique needs these veterans have is the University of Maine in Augusta (an institution which delivers and accepts DSST exams for credit), a university that has made small but very key changes to campus life by creating a lounge area with couches, TVs, and computers specifically for veteran students to meet and help each other. What’s more, they’ve hired a coordinator of veteran services, offer extra counseling, and even provide veterans with free entrepreneurial classes.

Also worth mentioning are the services and benefits available through the veteran affairs department at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond (an institution which awards credit for DSST exams), ranked as the #1 school for veterans in 2010 by Military Times EDGE magazine. The following are some of the ways EKU has made life easier for veterans:

•Waiving application fees.
•Offering in-state tuition regardless of residency, since military personnel serve all 50 states.
•Giving priority registration, because veterans may lose educational benefits if they are shut out of courses in their degree plan.
•Granting credit for prior learning in the military.
•Providing tuition-payment extensions and vouchers for textbooks if benefit payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs are delayed.

As more universities begin to implement similar services for veterans and military members, more of our brave servicemen and women will find going back to school a viable option. Combine these helpful services with one or several DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam), and suddenly earning a degree is easier than ever.  For just $80 per exam (plus a sitting fee), veterans can be awarded three college credits in a matter of hours, putting them on the fast track to graduating college and entering the workforce.

There are many programs that have made significant strides in providing our veterans with help and guidance - both emotionally and financially - in adjusting to college life. What’s more, there are several military friendly schools that work hard to provide these brave servicemen and women with a supportive environment and a curriculum that meets their needs. And last year alone, the G.I. Bill provided 800,000 beneficiaries with financial support for going back to school - up more than 40 percent from the previous year.

DSST strongly supports these and any other initiatives that make it easier for veterans to earn a college degree. That’s why we offer exams for college credit, which allow veterans and military members to earn credit hours based on the worldly knowledge they already have.

By earning college credit with DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam), veterans can avoid the pressures of the classroom, save money, and hold a full-time job; all while making strides towards a degree. Simply choose from over 38 subjects and schedule an exam date. In a single sitting, and for just $80 (plus a sitting fee), veterans can earn three college credits, or the equivalent of a single college course. Your peace of mind, and your wallet, will thank you.

For the third consecutive month, we received deeply inspiring entries about how DSST changes lives. Among these, Edward’s story stood out. Here’s why:

As a young man, Edward struggled in high school with no vision of his future, and eventually withdrew with a cumulative GPA of 1.52. After almost losing all hope and giving up on himself, he made the decision to return to a technical college, where he received an Associate’s degree with an impressive 4.0 GPA. His educational future was looking bright, and he decided that he wanted to earn a Bachelor’s degree followed by a Master’s in ministry preparation.

Edward heard about DSST and did some research on his own. It paid off, as he was soon able to receive credits toward his education and be on his way to fulfilling his dreams. For about $380, including institution fees, Edward earned 21 college credits and finally met the requirements for graduation. He’s currently pursuing his Master’s degree, and plans to use his $750 prize to pay for his tuition.

Congrats again, Edward! We wish you the best of luck!

Hughes, like many student mothers, begins her day by planning what her children will eat for dinner and then getting them - students themselves - off to school. After attending her own classes, finding time to study, and working for a couple of hours in WKU’s geology department, Hughes returns home to clean, do laundry, cook dinner, and help her children with their own homework.

Nancy Toney, another WKU student and mom to a 4-year-old son, is in a similar situation: "It's like juggling the fact that taking care of your family and doing well in school is equal, so you have to find the time to give both of those equal attention. And it's really hard to do that. You have to learn to multi-task."

These hardworking mothers and many others like them understand the value of a college degree, and are willing to put forth more effort than the average student in order to earn theirs. Fortunately for moms in school, DSST tests (formerly known as the DANTES exam) provide non-traditional students with a fast and cost-efficient manner for earning college credit. And if you’ve ever met a student mother, you know that saving time and saving money are at the top of their never-ending to-do lists.

The DSST program allows students from all walks of life to earn three credit hours in a single sitting so student mothers can spend more time on themselves or with their families. What’s more, a DSST test costs just $80 (plus a sitting fee), providing these busy moms with more money for what matters most.

“You do what you have to do,” Hughes said. “With nontraditional students, a lot of times, it’s having that education that makes the difference between having a good life and living in poverty.”

We couldn’t agree more.