UMPI WGU and Pell Grant

[Chimera]

Hello all, I’m nearing my enrollment in UMPI transferring with 90 credits for the BAS Management Info systems degree after completing the PierPont AAS.

I have $5000 of tuition reimbursement through my employer and may have a Pell Grant for roughly $7000.

I’m trying to figure out how to capitalize on the education I’m able to get utilizing these in this academic year.

Unsure if this would work I’m wondering if anyone has some sage wisdom.

My thought process is that I can attend UMPI for 1-2 terms to finish out the BAS for $3k~ using the Pell grant then enroll in a cybersecurity BS at WGU to use the remaining Pell Grant and tuition reimbursement available. (Since I don’t believe I can apply the Pell Grant to a masters program)

I have the general education requirements for WGU and 3 of the CompTIA certs but otherwise not the 90 credits possible.
Since the term would be free I was thinking to attend and complete as many classes as I can then take the three month gap from the program WGU allows and return with either more transfer credits (can I do that ?) or when more funding is available to me.

Would this work with the Pell Grant ? Is there a better alternative path ?

I’m seeking to enter IT and more specifically Cybersecurity, I went with the BAS MIS due to the cost and availability to me before I knew of the Pell Grant. Time isn’t an issue and I can dedicate large amounts to school however funding is strict.

Thank you for any input

[Jonathan Whatley]

I have $5000 of tuition reimbursement through my employer and may have a Pell Grant for roughly $7000. […]

My thought process is that I can attend UMPI for 1-2 terms to finish out the BAS for $3k~ using the Pell grant then enroll in a cybersecurity BS at WGU to use the remaining Pell Grant and tuition reimbursement available. (Since I don’t believe I can apply the Pell Grant to a masters program) 

Would this work with the Pell Grant ?

It won't work, because a borrower becomes ineligible for any further Pell Grant funding upon completing a first bachelor's degree. (There's a small exception for a few teacher prep post-bacs.)

[ss20ts]

Pell Grant will end once you complete a bachelor's degree. Why go for a BAS then a degree in cybersecurity? Pick one and do that one. A degree in cyber security will be help you enter the field more than a BAS.

[Chimera]

Pell Grant will end once you complete a bachelor's degree. Why go for a BAS then a degree in cybersecurity? Pick one and do that one. A degree in cyber security will be help you enter the field more than a BAS.

The BS would be better, it’s just such a shame that I’ve spent this much time getting to the finish line on the BAS.

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I’m contemplating dropping the BAS and going for the WGU BS but it would lengthen my timeline considerably, and I wouldn’t have near the transfer credits available.

Any advise ? Is it worth it to change paths and get the better degree or should I hunker down and just finish what I started ?

[jg_nuy]

Why not complete your BAS with the Pell since you are so close and then use your tuition reimbursement for your Masters in Cybersecurity/IT, which is around $4,700 per 6-month term: https://www.wgu.edu/online-it-degrees/cy...ogram.html

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Alternatively, you could look at the accelerated BS + MS in IT Management at WGU and see if there is a Cybersecurity concentration: https://www.wgu.edu/online-it-degrees/ac...ogram.html

[Chimera]

Why not complete your BAS with the Pell since you are so close and then use your tuition reimbursement for your Masters in Cybersecurity/IT, which is around $4,700 per 6-month term: https://www.wgu.edu/online-it-degrees/cy...ogram.html

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Alternatively, you could look at the accelerated BS + MS in IT Management at WGU and see if there is a Cybersecurity concentration: https://www.wgu.edu/online-it-degrees/ac...ogram.html

Not a bad idea

[allvia]

Complete the UMPI BAS-MIS with the Pell (you may even get a refund back to you if you qualify for the full Pell), then look to get a master (in Cybersecurity, IT, ITM etc) at WGU or other school (use any Pell refund to you, and tuition reimbursement to pay for that). There is a huge shortage of cybersecurity professionals, don't overthink the bachelor. Many paths into the field once you complete the BAS-MIS.

[bjcheung77]

Without the full overview of the situation, you can try doing the following steps.  Apply and email WGU/UMPI regarding completing their degrees with the full Pell Grant

Different yet similar strategy to what I mentioned earlier here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid432809

In short, you want to max your transfer of credit with both UMPI and WGU before you enroll with either of them.
1) Transfer everything into the BAS with the minor of choice, plus 3-4 classes that go towards the MAOL, and if you need more classes for residency purposes, add another second minor (this is the most critical step)
2) Complete the required classes for the BAS with intended minor, but don't graduate (indicate you want to change a different minor)

3) Complete the required classes for your WGU undergraduate degree after you've max the transfer credit
4) Apply to graduate both degrees at the same time, effectively maxing or using your Fin Aid...
5) With tuition assistance or reimbursement, complete the UMPI MAOL, repeat with WGU Masters the following year

[Chimera]

Without the full overview of the situation, you can try doing the following steps.  Apply and email WGU/UMPI regarding completing their degrees with the full Pell Grant

Different yet similar strategy to what I mentioned earlier here: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid432809

In short, you want to max your transfer of credit with both UMPI and WGU before you enroll with either of them.
1) Transfer everything into the BAS with the minor of choice, plus 3-4 classes that go towards the MAOL, and if you need more classes for residency purposes, add another second minor (this is the most critical step)
2) Complete the required classes for the BAS with intended minor, but don't graduate (indicate you want to change a different minor)

3) Complete the required classes for your WGU undergraduate degree after you've max the transfer credit
4) Apply to graduate both degrees at the same time, effectively maxing or using your Fin Aid...
5) With tuition assistance or reimbursement, complete the UMPI MAOL, repeat with WGU Masters the following year

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.

[ss20ts]

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.