Does this look like a good idea?

[Catty1]

You want to work to avoid taking out the loans for school.

If your mom and dad don't like the idea, see if THEY will pay for the schooling!

They might be more agreeable when they see it will come out of YOUR pocket.

[buckner]

Megan,

I'm not sure if Penn Foster is "ok" to Health Insurance Companies - I don't think I would still be under my mom's health coverage if I was doing an online degree. Look into that first.

BUT, if you take a semester off, you'll definitely NOT be covered under your dad's health insurance. I have wanted to take a semester off so bad to get my life and mind back in order, but I can't... I have to have that health coverage, it's crazy. I'm insured until I'm 25 as long as I'm a full-time student every semester.. summers don't count.

So look into all that and weigh it.
Is health coverage important to you? It is to me, because I'm sick a lot and have chronic problems that I need the coverage badly.
Would you rather take a semester off and lose the coverage?
Are you ONLY switching to Penn Foster because it seems easier? To me, online courses ARE easier than the ones in the classroom. Don't take the easy road out though, Megan... even if it'll be hard, do what you think is best.

My friend is enrolled at Penn Foster right now, as well as going to private institution. She likes Penn Foster, but never has time for it. Even when she wasn't going to school and Penn Foster was all she was doing, she never found the time to sit down and do the work. Just something to consider.