Big Three and Financial Aid

[jaybird]

Hi Everyone. My name is Jay. I'm a long term lurker, never poster. My situation is tricky and a bit unusual. I'm 22 and had serious health problems that ended up with my taking a Leave of Absence from my first school and homeless for a year. I want to start from scratch.

I also want to start a FT on campus MBA and/or JD program August 2016. I am looking to complete my BSBA in Accounting/ Finance preferably at TESC. How many credits should come from courses? How do I utilize my financial aid? Does TESC allow the majority of credits to be taking thru consortium agreements? I want to use SL, ALEKS, CLEP, et al for as much of my general requirements as possible saving up my financial aid money for classes. I'm eligible for around $3,500 in pell and would not be adverse to a max. of $3,500- $5000 in loans.

Thanks in advance everyone!

[ajs1976]

Take a look at some of the degree plans. That should get you started. TESC Degree Plans - Degree Forum Wiki

[jaybird]

Hi Andy, I have looked the degree plans and I have come up with several preliminary ones depending on # of classes versus other sources of credit. (Will post this week.) What I'm looking for is someone who has utilized Financial Aid at TESC, EC, or COSC. I wanted to know how they used their financial aid to test out while taking classes. Sorry if I'm still not clear >.<

[sanantone]

Hi Andy, I have looked the degree plans and I have come up with several preliminary ones depending on # of classes versus other sources of credit. (Will post this week.) What I'm looking for is someone who has utilized Financial Aid at TESC, EC, or COSC. I wanted to know how they used their financial aid to test out while taking classes. Sorry if I'm still not clear >.<

TESC doesn't do consortium agreements, but COSC does.

[jaybird]

That's weird. On the TESC financial aid page, there's a link to the FA Consortium form. Albeit with a 2010-2011 date on it. I'm going to call them in the morning.

Thanks!

[cookderosa]

Hi Everyone. My name is Jay. I'm a long term lurker, never poster. My situation is tricky and a bit unusual. I'm 22 and had serious health problems that ended up with my taking a Leave of Absence from my first school and homeless for a year. I want to start from scratch.

I also want to start a FT on campus MBA and/or JD program August 2016. I am looking to complete my BSBA in Accounting/ Finance preferably at TESC. How many credits should come from courses? How do I utilize my financial aid? Does TESC allow the majority of credits to be taking thru consortium agreements? I want to use SL, ALEKS, CLEP, et al for as much of my general requirements as possible saving up my financial aid money for classes. I'm eligible for around $3,500 in pell and would not be adverse to a max. of $3,500- $5000 in loans.

Thanks in advance everyone!

You'll get more from Pell than $3500. Expect closer to $5600. I won't speak to the specific of your degree plan, that's out of my league, however I used FA at TESC and did almost exactly what you're planning. I used CLEP/ DSST/ etc. for my gen eds, then took TESC classes (and a few from my local CC) for my major. I did that in 1 year. I should say that their tuition structure has changed since I completed my degree, so the plan you choose would have to work for you, and what I did might not work any longer. If you qualify for a Pell and take a loan, that will exceed your cost, so they'll refund you the overage, and you can hold that to pay for the classes in your next term.

[indivinefavor]

Your PELL is solely based on your EFC. Your EFC was calculated when you completed your 2014-2015 FAFSA. There's a chart online that will tell you exactly what you qualify for based on your EFC. Try and google it, if you can't find it, then let me know and I'll research it for you.

IMPORTANT: Your current FAFSA (2014-2015) is based on your 2013 taxes. You mentioned you were homeless...if your income situation has changed drastically from what's on your 2013 taxes, you can request something called Professional Judgment and it can possibly lower your EFC, which in turns raises your PELL. The maximum PELL for 2014-2015 is $5,730.

And no, I'm not just shooting from the hip LOLLOL. I used to be a Financial Aid Advisor and yes I've used this numerous times. But you must be able to show that income has changed drastically, etc. Schools don't do it to often, but it is a tool created by the Dept of Education to utilize if necessary. If you don't mind private messaging me and giving me a few details, I can tell you right away if this is possible or not.

Otherwise, good luck with everything!