Overseas Student

[default]

Hello everyone, long time lurker here! I'm aiming for the most easily obtained degree regardless of cost, though cheaper options are welcome   I am a US citizen but don't currently reside there. I am in my mid-30s and have been teaching TEFL for a decade and was hired as a grade 1 teacher. My goal is to work towards a master degree in elementary education but right now I need to obtain any degree I can to maintain my visa overseas.

This is what I have so far:

Study.com
Communications 301: Diversity and Intercultural Communication
Business 312: Advanced Operations Management
Business 315: Logistics & Supply Chain Management

Sophia.org
Business Law
College Algebra
Public Speaking
Environmental Science
Introduction to Sociology
US History 1
Critical Thinking
Introduction to Statistics
Sophia.org
English Composition 1
Introduction to Nutrition
Microeconomics
Introduction to Business
Principles of Management
Business Law
Workplace Communication
Principles of Finance
Project Management
Visual Communications

StraighterLine
Introduction to Nutrition
American Government
Introduction to Philosophy
United States History 1
Western Civilization 1


Nutrition and US History are redundant. I have maybe some credits from brick and mortar schools, 15 years ago, perhaps amounting to a semester and a half but I owe student loans (in default) and assume I can't access those anymore. I assume the same situation makes me ineligible for financial aid.

What school/degree combination would be most suitable for my situation and what other credits do I need to max out the transfer policy? I am eyeing TESU (Generic liberal arts degree) as I can transfer in 114 credits and then work on my capstone project. 

I'm sorry if I am sharing too much background information, but I welcome any advice! 

Thank you in advance!

-default

Edit: I just discovered the UMPI Reddit. Also looking good!

[bjcheung77]

@default, Basically, TESU/UMPI would need you to get the transcripts and have them evaluate a transfer of credit before you begin your studies. You've got most of the general education and electives complete for them both, TESU BALS/BSBA, UMPI BABA/BLS, I would get in contact with the institution you've attended and see what can be done to release your college records or transcripts, otherwise, you're not going to be able to start at either institution, let alone do a final audit when graduation comes.

[default]

Thank you for your response! Is omitting my other college experiences an option? Would they know? I’m pretty desperate and don’t want to make this too complicated

[davewill]

You won't be able to graduate without providing transcripts from your previous schools. However, I would not expect being in default on student loans to prevent you from accessing them. That usually only happens when you owe the school itself money (unpaid tuition, parking fines, etc...).

[bjcheung77]

davewill is on the ball, most institutions won't care for transcripts during applications, it's when you're actually wanting to apply for graduation where it hits. There are some institutions though, such as UMPI, that will want all the info up front and not just at the end for graduation. Here's an example, my cousin and UMPI: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid412344

[jg_nuy]

Check the updated federal rules for student loans as you may some relief.

[ss20ts]

Being in default with student loans will prohibit you from receiving grants or student loans. Being in default is not with the college themselves but is instead with your loan provider. This does not prohibit you from getting transcripts. You wouldn't be able to get transcripts from colleges you directly owe money to. For example, you attend Big College in Fall 2020 and didn't pay all of your tuition so you owe them $$$. Big College will not release transcripts until you pay all of the monies that you owe to them.

When applying to colleges, I have always had to submit all of my transcripts as part of the application process. I'm not sure which colleges bjcheung is referring to by saying you don't need transcripts until graduation. That has never been my experience. You wouldn't receive transfer credit without them and the financial aid office typically requires them.

[default]

I figured that I wasn’t eligible for aid and couldn’t access my transcripts and so I would just leave out any mention of that school. with this information, I requested an aliumni account and will try to obtain transcripts!

Do you think I may also have access to financial aid? Will my community college credits also be on this transcript or do I need to also hunt those down?

Thank you for all of the great information!

-default

[ss20ts]

You won't be eligible for financial aid unless you get your loans out of default.

You will need to have your community college official transcripts sent to UMPI. They will require official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. Says so right on the admissions webpage.