Help! My son is graduating HS with his AA sooner than I expected

[magflo]

Hello all!  I've been a long time lurker, having found this site thanks to cookderosa and her homeschooling for college credit site. Over time, I've read a lot of posts here and tried to make sense of what I could on my own but you all are so helpful to others when they ask for help, I think I need to ask for help now too!  Here's my situation: I homeschool my son and he is in 11th grade. In my state (NC), 11th and 12th graders can take free community college classes so he is currently taking classes at our local comm college.  In 9th and 10th grade my son took and passed the following CLEPs: 
US History I CLEP (3cr)
Biology CLEP (4 cr)
Am Lit CLEP (6 cr)
A&I Lit CLEP (6 cr)
Eng LIt CLEP (6 cr)
College Algebra CLEP (4 cr)
Sociology CLEP (3 cr)
The credits I list beside them are what he was awarded at our comm college so he transferred in 32 credits.  At the comm college, he is on pace to complete another 32 credits this year thereby earning his AA at the end of 11th grade, it's all coming together so well that it looks like it's happening sooner than I expected!
Academic Success (1 cr) completed
Eng111 (3cr) completed 
Eng 112 (3cr) in progress
Public Speaking (3cr) in progress
Fin Accounting (4cr) in progress
Micro Econ (3cr) in progress
Mgr Accounting (4cr) planned
Macro Econ (3cr) planned
Bus. Law (3cr) planned
Comp Inf Sys (3cr) planned
maybe P.E.(2cr) planned
As you can see he is focusing on Accounting. Our state has an articulation agreement between the comm colleges and the public univ, one of those is Fayetteville State Univ which has an affordable (@7k), online accounting degree option.  So the plan I have for now is to graduate him early, at the end of 11th grade, when he's completed his AA so that he can start working on his Bachelor's at FSU.  From what I can see on FSU's website he'll be maxed out both on what they accept in CLEPs and what they accept in transfer credit so he'll have to work the full remaining 60 credits through their program. I'm satisfied with that plan but wondering, is there a better option that I'm overlooking?  He is eligible for one more free year of comm college classes, so I hate to leave those free classes on the table (he's not interested in just taking career/tech classes if they won't progress him quicker) but is there anything more we could do at the 100/200 level that would move him towards a Bachelor's?   Any degree plan options you would recommend bearing in mind he's a teen looking into a degree in Accounting with no life / work experience to get him through?

---

Umm....upon reading what I wrote, it was a bit much! I think you need to skip to the bottom to get to the actual question! ha, ha

[Life Long Learning]

Way to go!

Did you check the Big 3 accounting BS degrees?

[dfrecore]

Honestly, I'd hate to leave those free credits on the table as well.

Have you thought of him doing a BS in Accounting through TESU or WGU, and then actually getting a MS in Accounting afterwards?  It might be cheaper in the long run, if that's the direction he's thinking of going.

Here are 2 spreadsheets, one for TESU, one for WGU.  I think the TESU one might be better, because a lot more of the CC courses would be used there (I did 30cr in green, guessing what he might take).  It just takes more advantage of what he's already taken.  But, the WGU degree is much heavier in Accounting coursework, which might appeal to him.

A couple of other options:
1) the TESU BSBA in Accounting, followed by the WGU MS in Accounting
2) the WGU BS in Accounting, followed by a MBA or MS in Accounting elsewhere

[magflo]

Thanks for your responses and super thanks for plotting out those spreadsheets dfrecore!! I'm heading out now but will really go through them later! I did think that if he got the BS within a shorter amount of time he might have the stamina left to tackle the MS (typical teen boy, just wants to be done). I could figure out how to get to the AA degree but my understanding of upper level credits was limited, I wasn't sure if 100/200 level classes could be applied there. I've seen others post their degree plans but my brain just got overwhelmed trying to figure it out and understand the actual final cost.

[dfrecore]

Thanks for your responses and super thanks for plotting out those spreadsheets dfrecore!!  I'm heading out now but will really go through them later!  I did think that if he got the BS within a shorter amount of time he might have the stamina left to tackle the MS (typical teen boy, just wants to be done).  I could figure out how to get to the AA degree but my understanding of upper level credits was limited,  I wasn't sure if 100/200 level classes could be applied there.  I've seen others post their degree plans but my brain just got overwhelmed trying to figure it out and understand the actual final cost.

For the WGU MS in Accounting, I really think it's going to take 2 terms there to get the courses he needs done.  There are quite a few (maybe 11) that they won't accept as transfer, and it's very accounting-heavy.  TESU is more of the BSBA, with a few accounting courses thrown in - just a small concentration.  So really, it depends on the direction he wants to go.

Neither is a LOT less than the local college program you're looking at, but they could certainly be a lot less time, and that's where I think you can take advantage of getting him to continue on with the MS.

If he can start on the SL/Study.com/etc. courses that he needs in conjunction with the CC courses he's taking, then he could conceivably finish the TESU BSBA next year at the same time as his AA (maybe take the capstone right after he finishes his AA).  For WGU, I think he could finish all of the requirements he can, and then start on that first term as soon as he's done with the AA.  Possibly get it all done in a single term, while he's still in "school mode."

Good luck to him!

[RANSOMSOUL]

just wanted to say, congratulations to your son. An excellent example of maxing out available resources to get a head start on one's education journey!

Love the suggestions with TESU & WGU as possible options.

[cookderosa]

Hello all!  I've been a long time lurker, having found this site thanks to cookderosa and her homeschooling for college credit site. Over time, I've read a lot of posts here and tried to make sense of what I could on my own but you all are so helpful to others when they ask for help, I think I need to ask for help now too!  Here's my situation: I homeschool my son and he is in 11th grade. In my state (NC), 11th and 12th graders can take free community college classes so he is currently taking classes at our local comm college.  In 9th and 10th grade my son took and passed the following CLEPs: 
US History I CLEP (3cr)
Biology CLEP (4 cr)
Am Lit CLEP (6 cr)
A&I Lit CLEP (6 cr)
Eng LIt CLEP (6 cr)
College Algebra CLEP (4 cr)
Sociology CLEP (3 cr)
The credits I list beside them are what he was awarded at our comm college so he transferred in 32 credits.  At the comm college, he is on pace to complete another 32 credits this year thereby earning his AA at the end of 11th grade, it's all coming together so well that it looks like it's happening sooner than I expected!
Academic Success (1 cr) completed
Eng111 (3cr) completed 
Eng 112 (3cr) in progress
Public Speaking (3cr) in progress
Fin Accounting (4cr) in progress
Micro Econ (3cr) in progress
Mgr Accounting (4cr) planned
Macro Econ (3cr) planned
Bus. Law (3cr) planned
Comp Inf Sys (3cr) planned
maybe P.E.(2cr) planned
As you can see he is focusing on Accounting. Our state has an articulation agreement between the comm colleges and the public univ, one of those is Fayetteville State Univ which has an affordable (@7k), online accounting degree option.  So the plan I have for now is to graduate him early, at the end of 11th grade, when he's completed his AA so that he can start working on his Bachelor's at FSU.  From what I can see on FSU's website he'll be maxed out both on what they accept in CLEPs and what they accept in transfer credit so he'll have to work the full remaining 60 credits through their program. I'm satisfied with that plan but wondering, is there a better option that I'm overlooking?  He is eligible for one more free year of comm college classes, so I hate to leave those free classes on the table (he's not interested in just taking career/tech classes if they won't progress him quicker) but is there anything more we could do at the 100/200 level that would move him towards a Bachelor's?   Any degree plan options you would recommend bearing in mind he's a teen looking into a degree in Accounting with no life / work experience to get him through?

---

Umm....upon reading what I wrote, it was a bit much! I think you need to skip to the bottom to get to the actual question! ha, ha

First off, your plan is perfect. Literally - as I was reading your list I kept thinking to myself "I wonder if he could transfer to Fayetteville...." and then BAM that's what you wrote. Seriously, don't doubt yourself, he's on track to hit a home run. I couldn't have planned it better myself. Also, can I feature your story on the HS4CC page? You've done everything right.

PS let me help you with the free classes dilemma. If your son did another year full time at an NC community college, you'd have to buy books but the tuition value of 30 credits there is $74x30 = $2200. So, $2200 saved (minus books, but let's forget that for a second). Now, here is the math - if your son delays starting work as an accountant for one year, he is giving up 1 year's salary ($30-50k) so you can schedule him for $2200 worth of classes that won't count at Fayetteville. Thumbs down!
If, on the other hand, he was less academically inclined and needed that last year, then, of course, he should take it- but he's obviously ready and able to transfer to FSU earlier rather than later. Let go of the $2200 and move him forward. His story is awesome and inspirational!!

[dfrecore]

First off, your plan is perfect.  Literally - as I was reading your list I kept thinking to myself "I wonder if he could transfer to Fayetteville...." and then BAM that's what you wrote.  Seriously, don't doubt yourself, he's on track to hit a home run.  I couldn't have planned it better myself.  Also, can I feature your story on the HS4CC page?  You've done everything right.  

PS let me help you with the free classes dilemma.  If your son did another year full time at an NC community college, you'd have to buy books but the tuition value of 30 credits there is $74x30 = $2200.  So, $2200 saved (minus books, but let's forget that for a second). Now, here is the math - if your son delays starting work as an accountant for one year, he is giving up 1 year's salary ($30-50k) so you can schedule him for $2200 worth of classes that won't count at Fayetteville.    Thumbs down!
If, on the other hand, he was less academically inclined and needed that last year, then, of course, he should take it- but he's obviously ready and able to transfer to FSU earlier rather than later.  Let go of the $2200 and move him forward.  His story is awesome and inspirational!!

Not to argue with you Jennifer, but I just wanted to point out that you haven't calculated all of the costs.  You only compared the savings of working over another year of CC.  You also need to compare the 3 different plans.

With the original plan, he finishes 11th grade with an AA in 2018, and then pays $7000 for 2 years at the state school.  So he's done around June 2020, and starts working for $40k(ish).

With a TESU degree, he takes another "free" year of CC, graduates HS in 2019, works through ACE credits, pays $4600, and finishes in June 2019 and starts working for $40k(ish).

With the TESU plan, he comes out ahead both in the cost of the 40yr degree and in gaining a year of work, so a gain of $42,400 over the state school plan.

With WGU, he may pay a little more or less than TESU depending on whether it takes him 1 or 2 terms, but he finishes in either December 2018 ($3435 if he does 1 term) or June 2019 ($5970 if 2 terms).  So he would come out ahead of the state college in terms of cost AND time either way.  If he finishes in a single term, 

Again, not saying you're wrong, as I love what you do and how you think, but you only analyzed one part of the equation.

[bjcheung77]

Great plans! In terms of when to take the courses at FSU, it depends on personal preference, it seems you really want to use FSU for the Bachelor's degree. You may want to bring up these options with him and see how he would like to proceed, have a game plan in place and just follow it through.

For myself, the path is TESU BSBA, Patten/Hodges or WGU Masters, and lastly a cheapo Taft DBA that is Nationally Accredited at $5,000/year (can finish it in 2 years for a grand total of $10 grand). I would recommend the TESU BSBA Accounting or the WGU BS Accounting as well. For the Masters, a Hodges MPA or WGU MS Accounting/MBA would be a good fit too.

I am crazy and weird, I like to get the cheapest/easiest/fastest degree possible, if it was for my child and I wanted a local degree, I would use the cheap tuition at FSU to complete their only Doctorate degree available, an EdD in Educational Leadership and my kids would be able to become "educational leaders" when they're about 25 years of age or younger.

[cookderosa]

First off, your plan is perfect.  Literally - as I was reading your list I kept thinking to myself "I wonder if he could transfer to Fayetteville...." and then BAM that's what you wrote.  Seriously, don't doubt yourself, he's on track to hit a home run.  I couldn't have planned it better myself.  Also, can I feature your story on the HS4CC page?  You've done everything right.  

PS let me help you with the free classes dilemma.  If your son did another year full time at an NC community college, you'd have to buy books but the tuition value of 30 credits there is $74x30 = $2200.  So, $2200 saved (minus books, but let's forget that for a second). Now, here is the math - if your son delays starting work as an accountant for one year, he is giving up 1 year's salary ($30-50k) so you can schedule him for $2200 worth of classes that won't count at Fayetteville.    Thumbs down!
If, on the other hand, he was less academically inclined and needed that last year, then, of course, he should take it- but he's obviously ready and able to transfer to FSU earlier rather than later.  Let go of the $2200 and move him forward.  His story is awesome and inspirational!!

Not to argue with you Jennifer, but I just wanted to point out that you haven't calculated all of the costs.  You only compared the savings of working over another year of CC.  You also need to compare the 3 different plans.

With the original plan, he finishes 11th grade with an AA in 2018, and then pays $7000 for 2 years at the state school.  So he's done around June 2020, and starts working for $40k(ish).

With a TESU degree, he takes another "free" year of CC, graduates HS in 2019, works through ACE credits, pays $4600, and finishes in June 2019 and starts working for $40k(ish).

With the TESU plan, he comes out ahead both in the cost of the 40yr degree and in gaining a year of work, so a gain of $42,400 over the state school plan.

With WGU, he may pay a little more or less than TESU depending on whether it takes him 1 or 2 terms, but he finishes in either December 2018 ($3435 if he does 1 term) or June 2019 ($5970 if 2 terms).  So he would come out ahead of the state college in terms of cost AND time either way.  If he finishes in a single term, 

Again, not saying you're wrong, as I love what you do and how you think, but you only analyzed one part of the equation.

Our CC system restricts the classes you can take to a list of pathway courses. He would have to finish the pathway before going off pathway, and I'm 99% sure they are going to "catch" that he's eligible for an AA/AS which will mean he won't be eligible for free dual enrollment for another year.
While I don't have the time to do a degree plan for Fayetteville, I will add that they are an Alternative Credit Project participant but don't accept ACE outside of that program, so Straighterline could fill any deficiencies (if applies) as long as they are on the list.

My oldest son is doing a plan very similar to what you (dfrecore) are suggesting- he graduated high school this past June wtih 70-something and is doing his last eligible credits via ACE/CC so he can "start" as a Junior at Franklin University. I am clearly a fan of that plan. But, if my same son had the option of earning his degree (Logistics) through Fayetteville, he would be doing that. In my OPINION, a traditionally aged student graduating from their local state college (online or not) brings a little more clout to a resume and allows the student an option of connecting with a department, professors, and other students (or not). Those options don't exist at TESU - they don't even have professors.