UMPI

[rachel83az]

I'm speaking as someone that has filled out FAFSAs but never used them, so please forgive and correct me if I'm wrong, but I think they award the pell grant per semester, right?

My rationale is that you'll get less equivalency credits and have to complete at least 30 at UMPI, but probably more. Your pell grant, provided you qualify, will carry you to some degree every term.

Contrast to TESU's minimum cost is $4000 and change if you optimize your plan to finish in one semester. You'll only be awarded the pell grant just the once and pay the difference. If you managed to knock it out of the park at UMPI, it would be less. But four or more terms leaves you with a higher price.

Admittedly, I'm also not the fastest course taker.

With TESU, you can spread the cost out over 3 semesters and pay little/nothing out of pocket. Whether UMPI or TESU is best will depend on your personal circumstances.