Community college (Coral Springs: credit, student loans, home)

[La Gita]

Our family is moving to Coral Springs from NC. Our son was attending the local community college. However, since we are trying to keep him home and keep costs low for him while he finishes school, we are bringing him with us to FL. However, he will only be in Florida for 3 weeks before school starts at most schools. We looked at Broward College and he would be considered an out of state resident until he establishes residency for 12 months.
Please, does any one know of any community colleges in Florida that do not have the residency rule? or are community/technical schools so he can get his associate degree while he decides on a major?

I have read some posts that steer people away from ECPI and Strayer as they are for profit and :arent looked at seriously". Any help, direction, guidance is greatly appreciated.

[BNBR]

Have you done the actual numbers for the first year at Broward College? Maybe the extra cost is worth it to just get going now. I imagine even out of state rates at BC would be similar or cheaper than a for-profit school.

[City Guy997S]

If the kid goes full time (12 credits per semester) then the savings being a Florida resident vs. out of state will be $3060 per semester ($6,000 total for the first year). $116 per credit vs. $371 out of state.
Cost/Fees/Tuition

There is no way around the requirements of being a FL resident to get in state tuition. If finances are too tight then take less classes or work full time for the first year and then enroll as an in state student. Stay away from the for profit schools as they will get the tuition funded 100% with student loans and you get stuck with the debt but no real degree or job at the end to payback the looming loans!

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by City Guy997S

If the kid goes full time (12 credits per semester) then the savings being a Florida resident vs. out of state will be $3060 per semester ($6,000 total for the first year). $116 per credit vs. $371 out of state.
Cost/Fees/Tuition

There is no way around the requirements of being a FL resident to get in state tuition. If finances are too tight then take less classes or work full time for the first year and then enroll as an in state student. Stay away from the for profit schools as they will get the tuition funded 100% with student loans and you get stuck with the debt but no real degree or job at the end to payback the looming loans!

Good answer. That's actually more than I thought it would be for out of state. Huge difference. I think you just work for a year, put away a little money and go after 12 months. Heck, work for a year and you can pay for your college.

[ralanprod]

Most schools are very strict on the residency requirements.

If he wants to go to school immediately, Broward College would still be a better financial deal than just about any private or for profit school.

Rule of thumb is to never expect credits from a place like Strayer, ITT Tech, etc. to transfer to another institution.

With that said, if you are looking at certification in a trade vs a college degree - there are some technical schools in the area that may work. If he is going that route, you can take a look at Vocational & Trade School Programs | Broward Technical Colleges . Those schools are run by the Broward School Board, so they are reasonably priced, and you know they aren't some type of fly by night scam operation.