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Posted: Jun. 14, 2023

Ways to Make More College Affordable

Getting a quality college education shouldn’t be a luxury. That’s why Rio Salado provides an affordable tuition rate to make earning a degree more accessible. While financial aid (loans), scholarships and grants (financial support you DO NOT have to pay back) are the traditional methods to pay for college, did you know that there are other opportunities that could help you realize substantial savings in time and money throughout your college journey?

From leveraging previous academic credits to utilizing employer tuition benefits, and converting professional experiences into academic credits, we're here to help you discover all the ways to make your college experience more affordable and efficient. Take a look to see if any of these options are relevant to your specific situation.

Employer Tuition Assistance

Discover how your job can fund your education. Ask your employer about tuition assistance benefits or see if your company partners with GUILD or other educational partnerships.

Straighterline

Fast-track your education by utilizing alternative credit programs. Take Straighterline courses to earn general education credits that easily transfer to Rio.

Transfer Credits

Maximize your past efforts by transferring existing credits to Rio Salado. Whether you’re joining us or moving on, your hard-earned credits can travel with you to colleges across the country.*

Workforce Training & Certificates

Translate your professional experiences and certifications into academic credits, expediting your program completion. Check the approved list of licenses and certifications. Students who wish to seek a career-ready certificate and live in Maricopa County** may be eligible for funding through Route to Relief.

Military Experience

Convert your military training into college credits. You may receive up to 30 college credits based on your military experience. The Maricopa Community Colleges may award credit for military service based on the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services.

National Tests

Showcase your knowledge by passing national exams. You can take AP, CLEP, DSST and other standardized tests that can earn you college credit in more than 30 different subjects. Explore college equivalency options online. Rio Salado administers these exams at various testing sites.

*If you are exploring transfer after Rio, it is recommended that you check with your future college or university about credit transfer eligibility before you register for exams. An academic advisor can guide you on your academic journey, from how to transfer credits to creating a class pathway to discovering how to apply prior learning to your degree or certificate. If you are a current student, you can find your advisor on your RioLearn page.

**Funding is not available at this time for city of Phoenix residents.