TESU - I am Probably Doing This All Wrong

[cookderosa]

This is excellent advice, and loans should be minimized. But we are forgetting about the $2,000 residency waiver. If the OP is planning on taking courses (16 residency credits) and qualifies for the full pell grant (currently $5815). The out of pocket cost for the remainder of the tuition is around $2100, which is not that far off from the waiver. Or considering the fact that the OP is planning on taking two courses, that is $5000tuition - 1453 (pell grant for 1 quarter) which is around $3500 out of pocket.

I think you're right- I just think picking those 2 classes and working that puzzle might still be a bit down the road. There is a lot of credit available between today and that $3500. JMO