Part of the scam is not allowing credit for some of those courses and forcing the student to take them over at the four year U's.
That is certainly true. However, many schools have agreements with our community colleges. There is no substitute for a student doing careful investigation before matriculating.
We’re seriously looking into the “college thing” now that our eldest is in 11th grade. She’s taking 6 college credits now (AP classes) and from what I’ve read the state schools either have to accept them or usually do. Unfortunately, she may attend a college that doesn’t accept them. My husband took a few AP classes in high school and all were accepted by Penn State at the time but I’ve heard it’s more difficult now. I also graduated from Penn State but never took an AP class in high school so until now didn’t know much about them.
My husband had a full scholarship to Penn State and most of the incidental costs were paid for by various other scholarships (Merit, Who’s Who, EE, etc.) He only had to finance his living expenses (room/board) and didn’t have a huge student loan to pay back. I was in a similar situation but had parents who helped and lived at home and worked full time while attending grad school so no huge college loan debt.
I realize it is a completely different scenario today with college costs but still possible. My 4 kids know that we’ll help with college costs but there are limitations. They can’t attend whatever school they choose unless they receive a full academic scholarship to that school, etc.
Anyway, the oldest wants to attend Penn State but that’s probably only because we’re alumni and she’s been there a few times. It’s out of state for us so she’d have to get tons of scholarship money. We’re even looking into the community college here. We paid the fee for the AP classes because it’s hundreds less per class than it would cost if she takes them while in college. And, even if they aren’t accepted for those particular courses, she could still use them as elective credits.
Again, we’re just starting this whole process and learning - this week is the college fair at the high school so I’m sure we’ll learn more. I’m surprised by the attitude of so many parents in this area: no loans, kids can go to any school they choose, they shouldn’t have to work, etc. My kids work. The 16 and 15 year olds have jobs and that’s a rarity in this area.
I still can’t imagine $150,000 in school loans for one person. However, if she borrowed that kind of money then she should have to pay it back all by herself. My nephew used his college loans to keep him in the lifestyle he chose while attending college. That’s his own fault so no sympathy from me, lol.