With the economic crisis that the country faces today, people struggle to pay for a four year college education, but with a new program on the rise students can earn their bachelors degree in as little as three years.

This special program has slowly gained its popularity throughout the states, its not one that is being offered in every college, but changes are being made so more students who wish to apply can have the advantage to graduating a year early.

One of the first colleges to introduce the program was Hartwick College in NY, in late fall of 2009.

According to an LA Times article students across the country are joining to cut back tuition costs, and to get head start in their careers.

There is only a limited number of small U.S. colleges and universities that offer the program. One of the first colleges that offered this fast track program was Hartwick College in NY in the fall of 2009.

Bigger colleges such as the University of California are considering the option for their students.

While this fast track program might be useful to students, it may not be suitable for all.

Daniel Hurley of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities stated ” it is misguided to focus on three-year degrees when most college students struggle to graduate in five or six years. Many students are under-prepared academically, have financial problems, or cant enroll in oversubscribed classes.”

Some schools like Southern Oregon University in Ashland allow incoming freshman with exceptional good high school grades to skip some of the basic courses and jump right into some of the classes that are intended for their majors.

Students planning to join this program must have in mind that this requires hard work and dedication. This program is intended for those who wish to step out into the market a bit earlier than the rest, and save some money along with it.

As for California getting on board with the program, there is discussions being made whether or not this would be available for the California UC’s. Proposals have been said and there is to be discussion over the next few months.

For the first set of proposals one can visit

http://ucfuture.universityofcalifornia.edu/presentations/cotf_wg_first_recs.pdf