Would like some input of tuition plan at TESC

Would like some input of tuition plan at TESC - Printable Version

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Would like some input of tuition plan at TESC - hkhart - 06-27-2011

I'm still waiting on my evaluation, however I did receive my financial aid award letter from TESC today. I have 99 credits that I am hoping all get accepted into the BSAST clin lab science degree. Although I'd love to test out of remaining credits, I need the financial aid to afford school. I'm currently enrolled in another school (online) and will be starting TESC in August (per award letter).

What I am trying to figure out is what is the best tuition plan for what I need. Ideally, I will only need 21 credits which the enrolled option is a bit cheaper than the comprehensive. However, I'm also interested in the Bachelor to Masters program MSAST Clinical Trials Mgmt, which I could take an additional 9 credits that would apply to that program, which would make the comprehensive a better value.

I'm not sure how the courses work, but per the letter, understand that I have to take 6 credits per term. Would 9 per term be difficult, or 9 for 2 terms, 6 for 2 terms to equal my 30 credits?

Here is a spreadsheet of my earned/needed credits for BSAST

Thanks for any input!

Would like some input of tuition plan at TESC - bricabrac - 06-27-2011

Hello hkhart,

The comprehensive tuition is basically one flat fee for a bucket of credits. Yes, you have to take 6 crs (online/guided study) min/12 crs max per semester. You can also use those credits (separate from the OL/GS req), to pay for tecep exams, flashtrack and epack courses.

You would have to call and ask the bursar if the masters courses could be included in the comprehensive tuition. Even though they are advertising the masters credits for bachelors pricing you should confirm this would hold true under the compreh tuition program.

Finally, I was told the masters courses are very robust, so to combine one masters with two bachelors might be doable, even two masters at the same time doable; but if working might be difficult. Two masters and one bachelors course, no way. So I would advise doing something like this to capitalize on 21 bachelors+9 masters credits. For the teceps I'm thinking of bio-208 science of nutrition (2nd science) and hus-101 intro to human services (free elective). They are both in your wheelhouse and should be an easy complement to other coursework. Thomas Edison State College/ All TECEP&reg Tests

(9) 2-bach+tecep
(9) 2-bach+tecep
(6) 1-bach+1-mast
(6) 2-mast

This plan, in my opinion, will allow sufficient breathing room which equals low stress and good grades.

Hope this helps and Good luck!

Would like some input of tuition plan at TESC - hkhart - 06-27-2011

Thanks for the help! I'm currently in a program where I have been taking 2 classes for 7 weeks, followed by another 2 in 7 weeks, to equal full time. Been doing this since Oct 10 as well as working full time, I can attest, it has been difficult! I'm hoping that the 12 week classes might be a bit easier to manage, but jumping from 2 to 3 classes, might not be any better. I understand for financial aid, I am only able to take GS or online, however, if there is overage, I'm curious as to whether or not I can then take TECEP tests with my own "out of pocket" money.

Would like some input of tuition plan at TESC - bricabrac - 06-27-2011

Hkhart,

No, I think you may have misunderstood. The TECEP tests are included in the comprehensive tuition 36 credit bucket, so you will not have to make any additional payment. When you submit the form you only check the comprehensive tuition program box. You can take 12 credit max in a semester and still add on a tecep. They don't consider it the same as GS/OL course.

If you use the enrolled options tuition, then yes, you pay for the tecep separately; same as the course registration. Hope this added clarity?

Would like some input of tuition plan at TESC - hkhart - 06-27-2011

From my award letter, thus my understanding that I would have only the option of GS or OL classes, and not testing being paid for via aid. Am I mistaken? I understand, that once they have the money, I "should" be able to take whatever (in comprehensive plan), but TESC may limit it due to source of funding.

"To be eligible for federal financial aid you must be registered for online and/or guided study courses and stay within the attendance pattern for which you were awarded."

Would like some input of tuition plan at TESC - cookderosa - 06-27-2011

Even though they are advertising the masters credits for bachelors pricing you should confirm this would hold true under the compreh tuition program. >>

Unless things have just changed, graduate level credit is NOT allowed under the comp plan.

Also, just simply work out the math. In my case, it was essentially FREE to use my pell grant and take the 6 credits each of 4 terms vs the alternative of taking 12 credits each of 2 terms. The full financial aid award is intended to be divided by 1/4, so if you have an award of $5600 that means you are eligible to receive 1/4 of it ($1400) for each term that you are taking 6 or more credits. If you only enroll for 2 terms, you are looking at only $2800, not $5600. Just throwing that out there. But, just run the numbers, it should be easy to calculate.

Would like some input of tuition plan at TESC - bricabrac - 06-27-2011

hkhart Wrote:From my award letter, thus my understanding that I would have only the option of GS or OL classes, and not testing being paid for via aid. Am I mistaken? I understand, that once they have the money, I "should" be able to take whatever (in comprehensive plan), but TESC may limit it due to source of funding.

"To be eligible for federal financial aid you must be registered for online and/or guided study courses and stay within the attendance pattern for which you were awarded."

Ok, I see the confusion now. Financial Aid is paid in quarters. So for example if your financial aid package is 12,000 you are awarded 3,000 per semester. Now, in order for the aid to fund, you have to be enrolled in 6 credits min per quarter.

Since you are starting in Aug '11 I will use it as an example

Aug $3000 | Nov $3000 | Feb $3000 | May $3000 = $12,000

So if you choose comprehensive tuition $4,900 (NJ resident), what happens is in Aug your student account will be charged the full $4,900 leaving your account with a -1900 balance (3000-4900) but your 36 credits will be actived. For the Nov semester you will be refunded $1,100 (3000-1900bal); in Feb and May you will recieve refunds of $3,000 each because your account is now paid in full. Note refunds are paid out 45 days after semester start date.

For the fin aid to fund each quarter you are required to register for 6cr GS/OL. But out of the 36 credits awarded for the tuition year you can still register for up to 6cr added GS/OL per semester and add on TECEP or epack courses.

I will try to locate a few pages for you to look at. Although its not explained well on the site. I've learned the process from talking to the bursar, registrar and financial aid offices.

Hope this makes sense to you.

Would like some input of tuition plan at TESC - bricabrac - 06-28-2011

Thomas Edison State College | Comprehensive Tuition Plan
The Comprehensive Tuition Plan allows students to pay one convenient tuition each year that covers up to 36 credits of Thomas Edison State College courses (Guided Study, online and e-Pack® Wink

or TECEP®examinations, as well as credits earned through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) and credit transfer evaluations for courses taken at other regionally accredited institutions that are applied toward a Thomas Edison State College degree. This tuition plan covers all administrative costs associated with a Thomas Edison State College education, except for textbooks, course materials and miscellaneous fees.

Regarding the special price structure for graduate courses, as I said before please call to find out if it could be included under comprehensive. I don't know as they just released the promotional offer a few months ago without specific guidelines on costs. I'm sure certain approvals will be necessary to take advantage of that program. In my short time at TESC, I've learned there are differences over programs, differences even within the same programs for different students. If I was not at the end of my BSBA when the promo rolled out, I would have taken advantage myself. It only takes a phone call to find out the specifics.

Edit: I found the information - Seems like it would be best to call the admissions office - Thomas Edison State College | Bachelor's to Master's Program
Students in the program can earn up to 9 graduate credits that will apply to their bachelor's degree as well as their master's degree. As part of the Bachelor's to Master's Program, students will pay undergraduate tuition for the 9 graduate credits they take while completing their bachelor's degree. Students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 in their graduate course work and those who do not complete the 9 credits successfully will have to reapply for graduate study.

I just completed my second bachelors and plan to begin the clinical trial management program in October. I've already begun the grad application process. Just need to write my essay and submit recommendation letters.

Would like some input of tuition plan at TESC - sanantone - 06-28-2011

Eventhough TECEPs are included in the comprehensive tuition plan, you can only use financial aid for online and guided study courses. At least, that was what I was told by TESC and their website says that FA can't be used for anything other than online and guided study courses. The way they put it is that if I use financial aid to cover the comprehensive tuition plan, I would only be able to take online and guided study courses under that plan. I would have to pay for everything else out of pocket or using any reimbursement I would get.

I've never used

Would like some input of tuition plan at TESC - sanantone - 07-10-2011

Well I just got a different answer from financial aid. I'm used to getting different answers from different advisors at TESC now. Now I'm being told that you can take 6 credits per semester as online or guided study courses in order to get the financial aid to pay for the comprehensive plan and you can take TECEPs, e-packs, and FlashTracks at no additional charge.