Why is taking 15 credits a semester important?
- You’re more likely to graduate on time.
- Research shows you’re more likely to get better grades.
- By finishing on time, you have more options. You can get an advanced degree, take time off to travel or volunteer, or start working full-time.
- On average, residents in Kansas with a bachelor’s degree earn more money and have a lower unemployment rate than those without a degree.
- The quicker you complete college the less debt you will accumulate.
- It pays to earn your degree, and earning it faster means you’ll make more money over the span of your career.
- Can’t get to 15 credits in the fall and spring semesters? Take summer classes!
What can you do to get on board?
- College is a commitment. Earning 15 credits per semester may not be easy, but it will give you the advantage of graduating on time and getting ahead. Know the courses you need to graduate, and meet with your advisor to map out a plan to earn your degree on time.
- Make school your priority. If it’s possible, cut back on work time so you can earn 15 credits per semester and finish faster. The payoff in your salary as a college graduate will be worth it.
- If you have to work, consider working on campus. You’ll have more flexibility in your schedule and will have a shorter commute time than if you work off campus.
- Be ready for freshman English and Math, and take these courses as part of your first year of college. Students who complete 15 credits per semester and complete their English and Math courses early are more likely to graduate on time.
- Fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the application used to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs. Fill out your FAFSA as close to October 1st each year as possible to ensure access to all possible federal aid.
- Be proactive and ask for help. On campus, you’re surrounded with people and resources with the purpose of helping you get your degree. Ask for help from professors, teaching assistants, academic advisors and even fellow students when you need it.
