The concept that "time is money" applies to the life outlook of community college students as much as anyone. Their success in completing a degree or certificate is often an equation that weighs their financial resources against how long they will need to finish. Prior learning assessments (PLA), which award academic credit for students' skills and knowledge acquired through work, the military, and other experiences prior to enrolling, can help reduce that time frame and the resulting costs--which means the equation can add up where it might not have otherwise.