TESC tuition question

[divine171]

First, thanks for all your posts and replies. I have been visiting this forum for about two months now and it has helped me choose to finally finish my Associates and to immediately start on a Bachelors.

I applied to TESC and sent over my transcripts about two weeks ago, I understand they're still working on the evaluation. In the mean time I've submitted my Financial Aid paperwork and received a reply with my award package, now I must choose between the "Comprehensive" and "Enrolled Options" Plans. I'm hoping for some direction before I call them tomorrow.

I will be taking two courses a semester and from what I read semesters are 3 months so I should be able to complete a total of 8 courses a year. Now assuming each course is 3 credits:
Enrolled Plan:
$1275 Annual Enrollment Tuition
$97 Technology Services Fee
$3000 Total Tuitions for 8 classes / 24 Credits @ $125 per credit
$4372

Comprehensive:
$4300

Now I know these figures don't include books, exam fees, etc. Since those will be the same with either plan I didn't think they'd be a factor. Am I looking at this right? Just want to make sure before I choose. With those figures I'm leaning toward the Comprehensive plan, that way I can take another few credits if my schedule permits. What do you think?

Thanks so much for your advice. I have to mail my reply by tomorrow 6/26 at 3pm est.

[OnMyWay]

I would definitely go with the comprehensive plan in your situation, I think it's a great deal. I think anyone planning to take a lot of classes from TESC should enroll in the comprehensive plan. I originally enrolled in the comprehensive plan before I figured out I had only a few classes to go and I could complete it quickly through testing. I essentially only needed the financial aid to pay for the enrollment fee.

[cookderosa]

I would definitely go with the comprehensive plan in your situation, I think it's a great deal. I think anyone planning to take a lot of classes from TESC should enroll in the comprehensive plan. I originally enrolled in the comprehensive plan before I figured out I had only a few classes to go and I could complete it quickly through testing. I essentially only needed the financial aid to pay for the enrollment fee.

>>

The pros and cons are pretty straight forward.

I'd also vote you consider the Comprehensive.

pro: The best deal here if you take advantage of the full amount of allowed credit - 36. You plan to enroll in 6 each semester (24) but you can (and should) also squeeze in some of their other credit earning options along the way. (Like TECEP exams) The cap applies to all credit, so do be sure to space it out so you will have 6 CLASSROOM credits EACH semester. That is required for your financial aid. You can plan this ahead of time by scheduling the three 6 credit courses TESC offers, and your evaluation will "hold" a place for those classes. Do this soon, as "planned credit" and then you will always know how many open slots you have. (6 credit classes have one midterm, one final, one set of homework- double the credit/half the work! Totally worth it)

con: your financial aid will show a "balance due" for several terms, and after about mid way you will go into the + category and you'll get a refund. If you change your mind or withdrawal at any point, you are still committed to paying the entire amount.

I should have went with the comprehensive, I went enrolled. I spent a few more $ the way I did it. To do it again I would have went comprehensive. But, like OnMyWay mentioned, if you are taking fewer classes then enrolled is the way to go. I didn't factor in the 6 credit per semester requirement that comes with financial aid, so that was a math error. Not a huge one, but still, I think comprehensive is the best bet if you intend on taking courses.

[ali4nia]

:
Enrolled Plan:
$1275 Annual Enrollment Tuition
$97 Technology Services Fee
$3000 Total Tuitions for 8 classes / 24 Credits @ $125 per credit
.

TESC Annual Enrollment fee out of state is around $2300 for the first year.

[divine171]

Thanks for the replies so far. I didn't know about the 6 credit courses, that'll save me some time As far as out of state tuition "ali4nia", I'm in NJ so I'm set

Oh about 8 hours before I finalize my decision and it's 99% Comprehensive. If anyone has more to add please do so, I'll be checking in hourly

[barbeque22]

I am a little confused and need some clarification. I thought that financial aid would not pay for TECEPs. If you choose the comprehensive plan and use financial aid for everything, can you still take TECEPs for some of the 36 credits each year?

[newtoclep]

Yes, you can take TECEP's if you enroll in the comprehensive plan. These are included in the 36 allowed credits, as well as PLA's.

Thomas Edison State College | Comprehensive Tuition Plan

[cookderosa]

I am a little confused and need some clarification. I thought that financial aid would not pay for TECEPs. If you choose the comprehensive plan and use financial aid for everything, can you still take TECEPs for some of the 36 credits each year?

>>


Just to be clear, you are correct that financial aid will NOT pay for TECEPS in the enrolled option. I recall seeing a financial aid handbook last year that was bold, highlighted, and underlined to that effect. You need to check if by doing comprehensive goes around this rule....I'm not certain, but I don't think it does. I also think that you still have to be enrolled in 6 classroom credits per semester if you get financial aid- comprehensive or not. So, you have to "save back" those 6 classroom credits from your plan or your in trouble!

[newtoclep]

Read this. It was taken from TESC's website regarding the comprehensive 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-PackÂ) or TECEPÂ 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.

Comprehensive Tuition Plan: 2008-2009 First Year Subsequent Years
New Jersey residents* $4,555 $3,795
Out-of-state residents $6,520 $5,670

*Regardless of residence, full-time active duty military personnel have the option to pay New Jersey residency tuition.
NOTE: All tuition and fees listed here were approved on June 6, 2008, by the Board of Trustees of Thomas Edison State College and are effective July 1, 2008. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

NOTE: If your degree program requires a course not offered by Thomas Edison State College, then you may need to take that course at another institution. If so, you would be responsible for any and all costs incurred at that institution.

[barbeque22]

Thanks, but I understand what the Comprehensive plan includes. I just don't know if you use Financial aid to pay for the comprehensive plan if you can still take TECEPs to make up your 36 credits. The website clearly states that it fin aid cannot be used for TECEPs. But I know people use fin aid to pay for the comprehensive plan. My question is if those people who used financial aid to pay for the comp plan were able to still take TECEPs or did they have to pay out of pocket.