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SALT LAKE CITY — Despite the reality that the cost of earning a college education is on the rise, there are actually ways you can get some of that education for free. Many of the courses prep students for jobs; others benefit those who didn't even graduate high school.
Brandi Davis was a junior in high school when she dropped out. "My dad was really sick, and so I had to quit high school to get a full-time job to take care of the family," Davis explained.
"By the time I was 18, I moved out on my own, and I was more worried about supporting myself and just living (than getting an education)," said Amber Lopez, explaining why she didn't get her high school degree.
"I got pregnant when I was 17, with my oldest son, and I actually quit school then," said Amanda Powers, who also dropped out.
None of these women ever believed they would finish high school. Davis, in particular, said she was constantly stuck in dead-end jobs and hated not being able to accomplish what she wanted to.
But that changed for each of them when they heard of a program offered through Stevens-Henager College. CEO Eric Juhlin saw a major need in the community and decided to address it.
"We had no idea how many people out there didn't have their GED or high school diploma, and it's staggering," Juhlin said.
So, he got to work developing a GED prep course that was completely free to anyone who needed it.
"We do have day classes and night classes, but we also have these great facilities that aren't used throughout the day," Juhlin said. "And we have times and capacities that we have spent the money for, so why not take the expertise of our faculty and educators and provide something of benefit?"
But they didn't stop there. The school also offers free courses in phlebotomy and nursing, as well as workshops aimed at helping people find jobs and build their resumes.
And Stevens-Henager isn't alone.
Colleges throughout the state are realizing the benefit of offering free resources to the community:
- Utah Valley University offers a free writing center where tutors coach people on resume writing and cover letters.
- Brigham Young University offers a slew of free courses online, like personal finance, math and spelling.
- Salt lake Community College invites all to their writing center where they help with college essays and building a resume.
- The University of Utah offers job workshops. Though mainly for those with college degrees, they're free and open to anyone.
Although no college credit is offered, for many these courses give them the push they need.
"Without that, I never would have done it. I would have never passed," Davis said, fighting the emotion in her voice. "I never would have been motivated to go do it."
"Now I feel great. I feel like I could accomplish anything," Lopez said. "I just thrive, and I want to learn and keep going. I crave more knowledge.
And for Juhlin, he says that's something that benefits us all. "The more people we can get out of unemployment (and) into a skilled workforce, the city wins, the state wins, the community wins," he said.
