Mark, that's a great idea, but in addition to learning material, one also goes to college to get the degree; the piece of paper that proves you took the classes. Without the degree many job opportunities are closed, even if you did the equivelant work and have the equivalent knowledge. Unfair, but in my experience, true. Perhaps there would be some way to work with UCSC to get college credit for courses learned in this fashion? And with enough credits, earn an acredited college degree, and/or maybe an opportunity to transfer in with undergraduate sophmore or junior standing after release with enough credits?

Mark Grimes said:

Rather than taking on debt thru student loans could you find online volunteers to teach college (or guide) courses using materials from here?

http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/index. htm