TESC Enrollment Questions....What should I do?

[Can219]

I was reading the thread regarding the overhauling of general education reqs at TESC and need some advice.(Insights | Thomas Edison State College)

I was planning on doing all my "outside" classes and then just enrolling for the communications class (mainly for the GPA). Well by looking at the new changes it looks like quite a few "new" classes I would have to take. My questions are:

1) If I enroll by the July date.....can I wait until september or october to take the class? In other words starting the class in july and august isn't a good time for me but can I enroll but not take a class until sept??

2) Once enrolled how easy is it to change your major? I 90% sure I'm going after an accounting degree but I could get into a few of the classes and decide it's not for me and want to change. Has this happened to any one else?

3) If I enroll in July. Take the communications class in sept or oct; then just to clarify I would have until the following July to get all my "required" outside classes in? Are there any rules I need to take into consideration? Obviously this is to avoid paying for another year.

4) Anyone know the current tuition cost for out of state student at TESC? Last I heard it's around 7,000. Is there anything I can do to defray the costs??

Thanks so much.

[sanantone]

1. If you enroll before July, then it seems as if you don't plan to take at least 24 credits at TESC. Further explanation below for why this is important. When you pay the enrollment fee under the enrolled options plan, then you can take a course whenever you want as long as your enrollment is in effect. If you pay for the comprehensive tuition plan out of pocket, you can still take courses whenever you want during your enrollment. If you're receiving financial aid, you won't receive anything unless you're registered for courses.

2. All it takes is an email or phone call to change your major.

3. Your enrollment is good for one year from the date you enroll. The date you start taking classes does not affect this.

4. The tuition and fees are easily found on TESC's website. The enrolled options plan is recommend for those taking less than 24 credits at TESC in one year. The comprehensive tuition plan is recommended for those taking more than 24 credits at TESC in one year. It looks like you can test out of most or all of the new requirements, but we're not sure yet.

Thomas Edison State College: Enrolled Options Plan
Thomas Edison State College: Comprehensive Tuition Plan

[AlbaTiVo]

What sanantone said with the addition of:

2. You will be subject to the catalog in place at the time you change your major. This may be a big deal for you wishing to avoid the new requirements.

3. They will allow you to extend your enrollment for up to three months at $233 per month rather than paying another annual enrollment fee, so you really have 15 months to complete your degree.

[Can219]

Thanks! It looks like tuition will be less than I thought That's a pleasant surprise. I'm so happy I will get to enroll and not have to take the additional classes and start the class when I want. For me this is best as I am only 2 classes from having all my Gen Ed's done. The problem with student aid is you have to go full time I think? Grrrrrr.

[Daithi]

I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I had planned on getting nearly all of my testing out of the way before enrolling, but it now looks like I'm going to have to enroll a little earlier than I planned before they change the requirements. I'm assuming that I don't need to take any courses right away, because in my case I will only need the Capstone -- I'm testing out of everything else.

In regards to tuition, it will probably depend on how many credits you plan on earning through TESC. For people like me, who only plan on taking the Capstone the cheapest way to go is to pay the Annual Enrollment Tuition of $2,958, pay the course tuition of $221 per credit ($663 for a 3 credit course), pay additional fees ~$500 (Application, Registration, Technology, Graduation, etc.), for a total of ~$4,100. However, at $221 per credit the course tuition fees add up pretty quickly, so they have a Comprehensive Tuition Plan where you pay $8,111 for the year and can earn up to 36 credits in a year, so if you are planning on taking 8 or more classes then the Comprehensive Tuition Plan will probably be cheaper.

[sanantone]

What sanantone said with the addition of:

2. You will be subject to the catalog in place at the time you change your major. This may be a big deal for you wishing to avoid the new requirements.

3. They will allow you to extend your enrollment for up to three months at $233 per month rather than paying another annual enrollment fee, so you really have 15 months to complete your degree.

Good points. I forgot about those two things.

[Can219]

Great news about extended enrollment. BUT changing the major.....not good. Arrghhhh..... Hopefully I can get enough of a taste of accounting before I get too deep.

[mrs.b]

Is your other major similar to the Accounting one? You do have the option of adding up to two bachelors and two Associates to your evaluation at the same time. In other words, if you're undecided right now, tell them you want to double major and have them put both degree plans on your evaluation under the current requirements (so long as you enroll before July) and that will have both evaluation options locked in to the current requirements. If/when you become certain about which one you want, just shoot an email to Advising and tell them you changed your mind and no longer want to double-major, and tell them which one to remove.

I had two BSBA degree plans on my evaluation at once for the better part of a year, and a month or so before sending in my graduation application, decided I was not going to bother with the second one. It was entirely painless to have it removed, no questions were asked.