Regarding 12 credit req of EC Partnership program (POAG)

[nthydro]

Since I am applying for financial aid and would need to take Excelsior courses anyway, I figured I might as well sign up for the POAG program like some of the members here suggested. I'm a bit confused about the 12 credit requirement to get the discounted rate. Does this mean I would have to complete a total of 12 credits within a year (two 15-week terms x 6 credit each term?) or does it mean I have to complete 12 credits before I finish my degree? The reason I'm asking is because I plan on doing an AS in Computer Software then immediately after I want to get my BS in IT. So would I have to complete 12 credits for the AS degree and then another 12 for the BS degree (24 total)? That would really suck since Excelsior's tuition is not that great even with the discounts. $270 x 24 credits = $6480. Yikes! I was hoping to stay under $10,000 total for both degrees and I don't think I would be able to if I had to take 24 credits at EC. Can someone familiar with POAG please clarify this for me? Thank you.