Dropping out of college because...

[t3chyo]

...it's just too expensive. I started doing all online classes and I'm into week four. I'm going to major in Web Programming at Rasmussen but it'll end up costing $40k which I'll end up having to pay back when/if I graduate. It's just too scary for me to be $40k in debt in a year and a half when the most debt I've ever been was from overdraft fees. I just did some research and found out I get get the same level of education at a community college for half the price.

So my question to you is am I able to drop out at any moment? Since I haven't got a final grade yet this semester(still two weeks left) do I still have to pay for anything other than my books?

Thanks.

[Gorilla's Gal]

You should talk to admissions. I'm not sure how it works for online classes. Community College is MUCH cheaper. Also, prior to school you should fill out a FAFSA form to get Financial Aid from the Government. FAFSA will give you a Pell Grant up to $1000.00+ per semester depending on your financial need. Complete the online classes you already paid for.

[t3chyo]

Thanks for the input. Online classes should be treated like attending class on campus. I paid for nothing yet and did fill out a FAFSA and got a loan. I remember it saying that you pay per credit. I'm not sure when I get credits but I haven't gotten my final grade yet in my classes. So I'm wondering would I only have to pay for the books and nothing else since I wont be getting any credits?

[YoureThirst]

I would assume that you have a certain amount of time before you can drop/add classes and get your money back. I would just bust my ass and get it done man... theres no point wasting your money. Oh and you should get your credit hours earned when you complete the classes.

[gypski]

My advice, go to a real school. Far too many online scam schools. They are just money mills worse then community colleges or universities with tuition increases, and you have to be a real self-starter to complete. Accreditation is questionable too. Get out while you still can cheap. :D

[t3chyo]

Thanks for that advice! I read something similar about rasmussen and its online classes being a scam. I honestly thought to myself that it seemed too easy. Like they made it easy enough to pass through it so you pay them their over priced amount. Also some of the classes are just don't relate at all to my goals. They have one class where we have to write about how cheating in college is wrong and why. What a waste of money.

[bigtopsfinn]

I think it was on Bloomberg where they said Americans have more debt from student loans than credit cards, so you're not alone.

I guess it all depends on what you plan on doing after college. If you want some big corporate gig, then the name (school) on the paper (degree) will mean a lot more.

I would look into a community type college because of costs, but preferably one which includes an internship period. This is what I did and was offered a job after completing school at the place I did the internship.

[t3chyo]

^^^ Thanks for the input. There of a lot of job offerings for Web Programmers even on craigslist. Finding a job opportunity would be easy. Id just rather be 20k in debt instead of 40k and get the same education. Plus online classes just aren't pushing me enough. I do my work but don't learn that much.