Unleash Your High School Success: Epic Money Hacks for Students & Families

What if a few strategic decisions during high school could save your family $20,000, $40,000, or even more on college expenses? What if those same choices also positioned your student as a more competitive scholarship candidate and gave them a genuine head start on their college career?

As parents of Treasure Valley high school students ourselves—many of whom are dedicated student athletes balancing academics, sports, and extracurriculars—we understand the financial pressures families face. College costs continue rising, athletic commitments demand significant time and resources, and navigating the path to higher education feels increasingly complex.

That's why we're sharing insights from James and Amberlee Rich, hosts of the "Living Rich on Less" podcast, who recently discussed powerful financial strategies every high school family should know. These aren't minor tips—they're game-changing approaches that can fundamentally alter your family's financial trajectory.

The ACT Strategy: Your $63 Investment That Could Pay $100,000+ Returns

Here's a statistic that should grab every parent's attention: the ACT test costs just $63 (without the writing portion). That modest investment represents one of the highest ROI opportunities in your student's entire educational journey.

Why Starting Early Changes Everything

James and Amberlee recommend a strategy that contradicts conventional wisdom: start taking the ACT in eighth grade, and continue taking it multiple times throughout high school.

Here's why this approach is so powerful:

• Familiarity breeds confidence - The first time taking the ACT is intimidating. The fifth or sixth time? Students walk in knowing exactly what to expect, how to pace themselves, and which sections demand the most attention.
• Performance improvement is nearly guaranteed - With each attempt, students naturally improve. They learn from mistakes, develop better time management, and reduce test anxiety.
• Score superscoring maximizes results - Many colleges accept "superscores"—taking your highest section scores across multiple test dates to create a composite. More attempts mean more opportunities to excel in each section.
• Scholarship thresholds matter tremendously - A single point increase can be the difference between a $10,000 annual scholarship and a $20,000 annual scholarship. Over four years, that's $40,000 from one point.

The Real-World Math

Let's run the numbers on a typical scenario:

• Cost of taking the ACT six times: $378
• Potential scholarship increase from 2-3 point improvement: $10,000-$20,000 annually
• Four-year scholarship value: $40,000-$80,000
• Return on investment: 10,582% to 21,164%

Show me another investment with that kind of guaranteed return.

Strategic Timing for Maximum Impact

The Riches suggest this timeline:

1. 8th Grade (Spring): First ACT attempt as a baseline and learning experience
2. 9th Grade (Fall & Spring): Two more attempts to build confidence and familiarity
3. 10th Grade (Fall & Spring): Continue testing as academic knowledge expands
4. 11th Grade (Fall, Spring, Summer): Prime testing window when most scholarship opportunities use scores
5. 12th Grade (Fall - if needed): Final opportunities to hit target scores

By the time your student takes the ACT for college applications in junior year, they've already completed it 4-6 times. They're not nervous. They're experienced test-takers competing against students taking it for the first or second time.

College Credits in High School: The Strategy That Saves $30,000+

The second major money hack the Riches emphasize is earning college credits while still in high school—and they wished they'd pursued this strategy far more aggressively during their own high school years.

Why This Matters for Treasure Valley Families

Idaho students have excellent opportunities to earn college credits through:

• Advanced Placement (AP) Courses - Available at most Treasure Valley high schools including Boise High, Rocky Mountain, Meridian, Mountain View, and Timberline
• Dual Enrollment Programs - Partnerships between high schools and Boise State University, College of Western Idaho, and other institutions
• College of Western Idaho Early College Programs - Some programs allow high school students to take actual college courses
• CLEP Exams - Credit by examination for students who've mastered subjects independently

The Financial Impact

Here's what earning college credits in high school actually means financially:

Scenario 1: The Minimum Effort Student

• Takes 3 AP courses throughout high school
• Passes all 3 AP exams
• Earns 9-12 college credits
• AP exam costs: ~$300 total
• Boise State credit hour cost: ~$350/credit
• Savings: $3,150-$4,200 for $300 investment

Scenario 2: The Strategic Student

• Takes 8 AP courses plus dual enrollment options
• Passes 7 AP exams and completes 12 dual enrollment credits
• Earns 33-36 college credits (full freshman year equivalent)
• Total investment: ~$1,200
• Savings: $11,550-$12,600 in tuition alone
• Plus: Saves an entire year of room, board, fees = additional $15,000-$20,000
• Total potential savings: $26,000-$32,000

Scenario 3: The All-In Student

• Maximizes AP courses, dual enrollment, and CLEP exams
• Enters college as a sophomore with 45+ credits
• Graduates in 3 years instead of 4
• Savings: Entire fourth year of college = $35,000-$50,000+

The Competitive Advantage Nobody Talks About

Beyond the financial savings, earning college credits in high school creates advantages that ripple throughout your student's college career:

• Earlier course registration - Students with more credits get priority registration, meaning better class times and professor selections
• Double major feasibility - Starting with 30+ credits makes double majoring or adding a minor actually achievable
• Internship opportunities - Finishing general education requirements early frees up summers for internships instead of summer classes
• Study abroad flexibility - Students ahead on credits can afford a semester abroad without extending graduation
• Graduate school timeline - Some students with extensive AP credits complete undergraduate degrees in 3 years and start graduate programs earlier

Specific Strategies for Treasure Valley Student Athletes

As a youth sports photographer who has worked with thousands of Treasure Valley student athletes, I've witnessed the unique challenges athletic families face. Sports demand enormous time commitments—early morning practices, evening games, weekend tournaments, and travel schedules that complicate academic planning.

Here's how these money hacks specifically apply to student athletes:

ACT Strategy for Athletes

• Take the ACT during off-season - Plan test dates when your sport isn't in season so your student can dedicate weekend mornings to testing instead of tournaments
• Target scores matter for athletic scholarships - Many athletic scholarships have minimum ACT requirements. A few extra points can be the difference between a partial and full ride
• Academic + athletic scholarships stack - Better ACT scores can qualify your athlete for academic scholarships ON TOP of athletic money, potentially covering full costs
• NCAA eligibility requirements - Higher ACT scores provide more flexibility with GPA for NCAA Division I and II eligibility

College Credits Strategy for Athletes

• Summer dual enrollment - Athletes can knock out college credits during summer when sports schedules are lighter
• Online AP courses - Flexible scheduling accommodates practice and game schedules
• Major selection flexibility - Starting college with 20+ credits gives athlete students more time to explore majors without falling behind
• Post-eligibility planning - Athletes who finish college credits in high school can potentially graduate within their 4-year athletic eligibility window even if they redshirt

What the Riches Would Do Differently

The most compelling part of James and Amberlee's discussion was their candid reflection on what they'd change if they could revisit their own high school years.

Their regrets centered on not maximizing these opportunities when they had the chance:

"Looking back, we realized that we left tens of thousands of dollars on the table by not taking the ACT more times and not pursuing every possible college credit opportunity in high school. These strategies aren't difficult—they just require planning and commitment. We're sharing these money hacks so other families don't miss the same opportunities we did."

Additional Money Hacks for High School Families

Beyond the ACT and college credits, the Riches and our experience with Treasure Valley families suggest these additional strategies:

1. Community College First Two Years

Complete general education requirements at College of Western Idaho, then transfer to Boise State, University of Idaho, or out-of-state schools. Potential savings: $15,000-$25,000

2. In-State vs. Out-of-State Strategic Thinking

Run the actual numbers. Sometimes out-of-state schools with generous merit scholarships (which your high ACT score qualifies for) end up cheaper than in-state options.

3. FAFSA Filing Optimization

Understanding how FAFSA calculates expected family contribution can help you make strategic financial decisions in the years before college.

4. Scholarship Applications as a Part-Time Job

Treat scholarship applications like a part-time job during senior year. Even 5-10 hours weekly applying for scholarships typically yields $5,000-$20,000 in awards—far better than minimum wage.

5. Athletic Recruiting Profile Investment

For serious student athletes, professional sports photography and recruiting materials represent a genuine investment in scholarship opportunities. Quality photos, highlight videos, and recruiting profiles can be the difference between coaches noticing your student or overlooking them.

The Treasure Valley Parent Action Plan

Here's your concrete action plan to implement these money hacks with your high school student:

This Month

1. Register your 8th-11th grader for the next ACT test date
2. Schedule a meeting with your student's guidance counselor to discuss AP and dual enrollment options
3. Research College of Western Idaho's early college programs
4. Calculate potential savings using the scenarios outlined above

This Semester

1. Have your student take their first (or next) ACT
2. Review score results and identify improvement opportunities
3. Enroll in at least one AP or dual enrollment course for next semester
4. Create a 4-year plan for maximizing college credits in high school

This Year

1. Complete 2-3 ACT attempts
2. Finish at least 6 college credits through AP or dual enrollment
3. Research scholarship opportunities that match your student's improving ACT scores
4. Calculate your family's projected college savings based on credits earned

Before College

1. Target 6+ ACT attempts with consistent score improvement
2. Aim for 24-30+ college credits earned in high school
3. Apply strategic scholarship knowledge to maximize financial aid packages
4. Enter college with a genuine competitive and financial advantage

The Bottom Line: Small Efforts, Massive Returns

The strategies James and Amberlee Rich share aren't complicated. They don't require expensive test prep programs (though targeted prep can certainly help). They don't demand genius-level intellect or superhuman dedication.

What they require is:

• Early planning - Starting in 8th or 9th grade instead of waiting until junior year
• Consistent effort - Taking the ACT multiple times, challenging yourself with AP courses
• Strategic thinking - Understanding how small score improvements translate to massive scholarship differences
• Commitment - Following through on registration deadlines and study plans

In exchange for this moderate effort, your family could save $30,000, $50,000, or even $100,000+ on college expenses. Your student could enter college as a sophomore, graduate early, pursue double majors, study abroad, or start their career a year ahead of peers.

These aren't just money hacks—they're life hacks that fundamentally change your student's trajectory.

Resources for Treasure Valley Families

To help you implement these strategies, here are local Treasure Valley resources:

ACT Testing

• ACT Registration: act.org
• Local Test Centers: Boise High, Rocky Mountain HS, Meridian HS, Mountain View HS, and other valley schools
• Free ACT Prep: Khan Academy (free online), school guidance counselors

College Credit Opportunities

• College of Western Idaho Early College: cwidaho.cc/earlycollege
• Boise State Dual Enrollment: boisestate.edu/dualcredit
• AP Course Information: Your high school guidance counselor
• CLEP Exams: clep.collegeboard.org

Scholarship Resources

• Idaho State Board of Education: boardofed.idaho.gov (state-specific scholarships)
• Local Community Foundations: Boise, Meridian, Nampa foundations often offer local scholarships
• Athletic Scholarships: NCAA Eligibility Center (eligibilitycenter.org)

Watch the Full Episode

For the complete discussion with James and Amberlee Rich, including additional strategies and personal stories, watch their "Living Rich on Less" podcast episode on high school money hacks. Their candid insights about what they'd do differently provide valuable perspective for any parent navigating these decisions.

Final Thoughts: Investing in Your Student's Future

As a Treasure Valley business owner and parent who has worked with thousands of local high school families, I've witnessed both the financial stress college planning creates and the relief families feel when they discover these strategic approaches.

The students we photograph—athletes dedicating themselves to sports, band members perfecting their performances, scholars pursuing academic excellence—all deserve every possible advantage as they prepare for college and career.

These money hacks aren't shortcuts or gimmicks. They're legitimate, proven strategies that thousands of families have used to dramatically reduce college costs while positioning their students for success.

The question isn't whether these strategies work—they absolutely do. The question is whether you'll implement them while your student still has time to benefit.

Don't wait. Register for that ACT. Schedule that meeting with the guidance counselor. Explore those dual enrollment options. Your future self—and your bank account—will thank you.