Modern States Education Alliance is a non-profit dedicated to making a high-quality college education free of cost and accessible to any person, anywhere who seeks one. Its founding principle is that access to affordable education is fundamental to any philosophy that respects all individuals, and fundamental to the American dream. Note: College Credit for each course completed by the student is given when the student successfully passes either an Advanced Placement (AP) exam or CLEP exam covering the course material. There is a nominal fee for taking each AP exam and/or CLEP exam for each course. You should check the college/university course transfer credit policy for Advanced Placement (AP) Exams and CLEP exams for the college/university that you plan to attend.
Freshman Year for Free
Modern States’ initial program, Freshman Year for Free, is intended to let students earn up to one year of college credit without tuition or textbook expense.
Modern States is partnering with edX, the leading online learning platform founded by Harvard and MIT. Modern States has given edX the money to complete the development of more than 30 high quality freshman college courses, taught by some of the world’s leading universities and professors. Each course includes online lectures, quizzes, tests, and other features. Textbooks and materials will also be provided online, free of charge.
The courses are designed to prepare students for the major “Advanced Placement” (AP)* or “College Level Examination Program” (CLEP)* tests offered by the College Board, including subjects such as History, Computer Science, Math, English and Economics.
According to the College Board, more than 2,000 traditional colleges and universities already offer credit to students who pass AP and CLEP tests. Students can take one course or many courses on Modern States, and then – by passing the AP or CLEP exams – can begin with up to a full year’s worth of credit after they enroll in traditional college, making Modern States an “on-ramp” to college. Modern States hopes to provide links for students to tutoring, mentoring and college advising groups as well.
