UMPI WGU and Pell Grant

[Chimera]

So the idea would be to
1. Max transfer credits for both degrees (if obtaining WGU credits pushed me into next year do you think I would qualify for pell again ? Some of the required Certifications are hefty)

2. Enroll in UMPI BAS using tuition reimbursement complete my minor and have a second minor hanging

3. Enroll in WGU BS with pell complete up to graduation

4. Graduate from both at the same time and use the reminder of Tuition reimbursement to finish off MAOL

One concern would be if I complete the UMPI BAS and leave it hanging does that mean I would have to pay for each term that UMPI is resting in the background while I complete WGU ? If I’ve 100%ed the degree is there any way for me to pause or unenroll from UMPI then return to graduate without taking an additional 30 residency credits ?

I know WGU offers a three month gap so potentially I could do it out of order and have WGU hang on the last class before graduation.

Again once you complete a bachelor's degree, there is no more Pell. If you get a BS in cybersecurity then the BAS will not help you at all career wise so why bother with it? You cannot complete 2 bachelor's degrees and receive Pell. You cannot graduate at the same time. At WGU your degree will be conferred within a few days of completion. Pausing a degree can cause more problems. Face it, you can't get Pell for 2 bachelor's degrees.

I get that, I think the idea was to only use the pell for one degree which confers before paying out of pocket for the other.

No reason not to brain storm opportunities available to me.

[bjcheung77]

Exactly what I was thinking, I like brain storming options... however, you're reading my post differently than I stated... You need to get permission from both schools by applying and inquiring about their regulations and rules. The financial aid is for undergraduate studies and the 3-4 classes that can go towards the MAOL. Your tuition assistance or reimbursement is for the remainder of the MAOL and the next year for WGU Masters.

If you play the cards correctly, this is what you'll end up with... UMPI BAS with a minor with 3-4 classes that can go towards the MAOL, you add a second minor but don't finish this off. It's a critical step, you can't graduate until you finish all requirements, when WGU studies is complete, you tell UMPI you don't want to finish the second minor and graduate at the same time. You're not wanting to get the second minor because life happens!

To get the max benefits, you need to know how well you do your work (time management) and the max transfer of credit. If you filled in the addendum and template, you would get a more accurate and concise answer. So pretend you can finish the residency credits in 1 session for $1700, or 2 for $3400. You put UMPI on hold and skip the second minor - thus, not graduate yet.

WGU, you finish all certs and term with them to complete the requirements of the accelerated BS/MS combo, you pay for the first part of the Bachelors with the fin aid, you want to make sure you've transferred all the Sohpia.org, Study.com, whatever you can towards the degree first. When the first portion of the degree is complete, you'll need to do the Masters part.

Complete the UMPI MAOL with your tuition assistance, you should be able to complete this in 1 session of $2300 or two for $4600. When the next comes, you can do the MS at WGU for the $5K/term to finish off your studies - this can be done in the reverse order, it depends all on you. I think the MAOL first would be faster as you can get that in 4 months or 2 sessions...

[ss20ts]

I get that, I think the idea was to only use the pell for one degree which confers before paying out of pocket for the other.

No reason not to brain storm opportunities available to me.

You're forgetting that there are limitations to using Pell. WGU will know you're attending UMPI and vice versa. Financial aid has to report to the federal government and all colleges review those records. Once one college sees that you've enrolled elsewhere you're going to need to send official transcripts. This could hurt you at UMPI because they have a credit limit for financial aid. Just get a bachelor's and then a master's. Forget 2 bachelor's unless you're paying for one without Pell. The BAS won't do anything for you if you get a bachelor's in cybersecurity and want to work in that field.

[Chimera]

I appreciate everyone’s input, definitely helping me think through what to do next.

After reviewing what credits I’ve already accumulated and how those cross over into WGU path ways it looks to me like the accelerated BS Information Technology and masters from WGU would only require about 30 new credits and would utilize the Pell to give me more freedom in time and let me graduate with a BS opposed to a BAS.

I’ll think on it some more but I’m feeling a pull towards WGU, the BAS MIS felt like it didn’t match my goals very closely and I believe a BS in IT or Cybersecurity may align with that more.