Getting a college education sure is costly, and that is the reason why many people are unable to go to college. Thankfully, there are some who will give free college education to those who can't afford it. Adrian Ridner and Ben Wilson, both from Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, are both in a quest to help residents of Mountain View receive college education. And dig this: It's for free.
NBC reports that Ridner and Wilson, through the company they founded - Study.com, are offering free online courses to residents of Mountain View who don't have any college degree. This program, called the "Mountain View Working Scholars" program, is the way both of them give back to the place that is good for their company
Study.com, which was started to "disrupt" the expensive world of higher education, currently offers more than one thousand video-based courses, 80 of which are eligible for transfer as college credit. Adults working or residing in the Mountain View area can avail of these courses, and study while working at the same time.
In a press release, Ridner said this program, which is actually a partnership between Study.com, the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce, and Thomas Edison State University, hopes to help local workers achieve the dream of getting a college degree.
He explained that while tech industries are booming in the Mountain View area, others outside the tech industry are not. Factor in the rising cost of living, and local workers are burdened even more. This new program aims to give them the bachelor's degree that will help local workers achieve "upward mobility" and success with the help of higher education.
Ridner says he knows how important a college degree is. He is the first in his family to earn a Bachelor's degree, and wants others to experience the benefits that it brings.
So far, more than 200 people have applied for the program, and 42 are actively taking courses. Classes are offered in both Study.com and Thomas Edison State University.
More details can be found here.
