TESC Financial aid question

[MN456]

I did a search and saw this was already discussed a few times, but I couldn't find a clear answer.

I'm looking to enroll at TESC officially in a few months, with probably around 100 or so credits, and want to test out the majority of those remaining credits + take one or two TESC courses to get Financial Aid.

If all I ever take is two courses at TESC, will that be enough to cover the out of state enrollment fee?

TESC is alot cheaper than the traditional alternatives thanks to testing and whatnot, but the enrollment fee is absolutely ridiciculous. I;m struggling as is simply to pay for Exams, so paying thousands of dollars to enroll at TESC is out of the question unless there's a way to get grants or loans.

[rebel100]

I finally went with COSC for exactly the reason you state above. Depending on what you are trying to accomplish they might be right for you.

Are you looking to use a PELL or other grant? If so remember that the amount you are awarded is based on the hours you take in class at the school. To receive a full PELL Grant you must be enrolled in classes (not exams) full time I believe that will be 12 hours.

In order to take full advantage I took the Cornerstone and Capstone in different semesters and added 9 hours each semester from CSU-Pueblo. In this manner finishing my education was, to me, essentially free.

[jtalama]

I did a search and saw this was already discussed a few times, but I couldn't find a clear answer.

If all I ever take is two courses at TESC, will that be enough to cover the out of state enrollment fee?

I'm doing the same thing at TESC. I'm only taking 2 courses (6 credits total) to get financial aid + GPA + pay the enrollment fee. I'm testing out of everything else.

[rebel100]

I'm doing the same thing at TESC. I'm only taking 2 courses (6 credits total) to get financial aid + GPA + pay the enrollment fee. I'm testing out of everything else.

With 6 credits are you getting the full Grant or are they allowing loans? I'm just curious how this shakes out, I have never encountered a school that will allow "full aid" to what amounts to a part time student.

Not doubting you, just hoping to fully understand.

Actually I found it. looks like with 6 credits you will get 1/4 of your award per semester. So over two semesters your leaving 1/2 your award on the table.

From the TESC F/A handbook

"Pell grants are awards that are based on financial need
and are used to help you pay for a portion of your
educational expenses. if you are eligible and enrolled in
the College, and take at least 6 credits of guided study
and online courses per semester, you may be considered
for a Pell grant. if you complete the financial aid process
by the specified deadlines, the grant may be credited to
your account when you register for courses. You may
obtain a Registration Bulletin by calling the College’s
information Center at (888) 442-8372 or via e-mail at
info@tesc.edu. it may also be viewed on the College Web
site at http://www.tesc.edu/publications and clicking on
“Registration Bulletin” link. Please note that the Pell
grant will be one quarter of the maximum full-time
award per term. For example, if your maximum award is
$4,050, your actual award will be $1,012 per semester if
you take 6-12 credits per term."

Certainly has it's place, but your leaving behind 1/2 your grant money.

[Elizabeth2010]

Well TESC is to much money for out state you paid $7,837 per year, but i take classes in a college on my state i pay $2,400 is a big difference. think hard .

[Elizabeth2010]

I f you out state will be $7,837 , i think is to much. for 2 classes. you should research in you state.

[rebel100]

Actually I believe $7800 is for the comprehensive plan that provides 12 courses at 3 hours each. There's a lot more to it than simple in state/out of state.

See if your state school will allow you to transfer in 114+ credits and let you graduate with a BS/BA.

[MN456]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Ha, unfortunately my state university wouldn't even accept half of my credits. That's the whole reason why I went with TESC in the first place.

So what I gather after everything is said and done then is that if I take 6 credits only, I'll get $1,012? I wonder about loans. I guess I'll have to call the financial aid department.

[bogey72]

I'm fairly certain that FA is not enough to cover the enrollment fee plus tuition for 6 hours of credit. I think you will still come up about $2k short. I was forced to take out a small loan from a family member and pull from my own savings. All in all, the $4295 it is costing me is MUCH MUCH less than what I would have paid in tuition, commuting, time off to attend classes, and the fact that I would have needed 33 "residency" hours to graduate from my semi-local university. TESC seems expensive until you consider the alternatives of traditional b&m schools and then it seems relatively inexpensive.

Good luck.

[MN456]

thanks!

An additional question if anybody doesn't mind answering...I know Charter Oaks has a consortium agreement in which you can take courses elsewhere and they will be considered as if you're taking them at Charter Oaks. I

does TESC offer something like that? At my local community college courses are extremely cheap AND I have a small scholarship that covers up to half of any course, so it would significantly reduce the cost of taking the two TESC courses and allow me to the FA money towards the enrollment fee.

Possible?