Rethinking the summer plan: where to take classes?

<p>Ok, so I'm planning for summer early because registration for classes starts sometime between the end of January to the beginning of March. Originally, I was going to take two classes elsewhere and transfer them back. However, if I were to do this, the grade I earned in the classes would not transfer, but the credit would show up on my transcript. I am also worried about the possibility of credits being lost or not transferring and wasting money. If I were to take classes at my home university's main campus, I would earn the grades, and it would be close to my workplace which would be beneficial since I am picking up more hours over the summer. However, the issue is cost. The other college would only charge me $258 a credit hour, roughly $1800 for 7 credits. My home institution would charge me around $360 a credit hour (about $3000) for seven credits. I have not taken out any loans, but I do not receive any financial aid right now because being gone for one year caused me to lose what little I was awarded. What advice could you give me on my situation?
May God Bless all of you this coming year! :)</p>

<p>Maybe find out if the schools consider summer to be the 2014-2015 or 2015-2016 year and then fill out the applicable year’s FAFSA when available to see if you would get any aid?</p>

<p>Some quick questions: Are you taking these classes mainly to help your GPA or just to fill out your credit hours/meet some kind of general education requirement? If it’s the latter, then it might not be worth paying over $100 more a credit hour. If it’s the former, then it might be especially if it will help you with your work schedule.</p>

<p>(In addition, I would recommend that you get the school’s affirmation that the classes that you want to take at the other college will count before you sign up for them. Don’t just assume that they will, even if they have the same name as one offered at your home school. I know some people who got bit in the rear because of a mistake like that and it’s not worth it even if it is cheaper.)</p>

<p>@Madison86’s idea might help too. I believe that most campuses will allow you to fill out the FAFSA for summer classes; the only risk is that you may be draining the money available from fall or spring, so if you need it then that might be a problem.</p>

<p>Why are you taking summer classes at all. Perhaps working this summer would be a better choice.</p>

<p>Hello all. I should have clarified this: the reason I plan on taking two classes this summer is to lighten my credit load during the school year. I have not been a student for two years because I’m paying my own way and couldn’t afford to go back at all last year. I only took two classes per semester this year to make up lacking credits that I didn’t get to take my first year. Taking both of these would knock my load down to 14 credit hours all year which would be manageable since I essentially have to relearn how to be a student. Not only that, but at my university there is a policy in place that if you take 12-16 credit hours a semester (12 being the minimum amount of credits you could take to be considered full time) you pay a flat rate of $5000 with additional fees dependent on your program of study. Anything above 16 credit hours is charged by the credit hour. </p>