SusanC mentioned "The American School". There is another school, similar to that one. I believe the name is now "Penn Foster". One is in IL and the other is in PA. I believe they are both Regionally Accredited. I also like the idea of him getting into an Apprentice program if he can do that now. Good luck to him

The student is already a Junior. He needs something in the state they live in now. Note: If they are in Texas, my DD is a graduate of Texas Tech University High School. Distance Learning from TTU K12. . It is Asynchronous, which as the first reply mentioned is difficult. They now have a free program for TX residents but I don't know how that works. Good luck to him!

@mommyoffiveThank you for starting this thread! It helped me! I have been thinking for several months, after reading in the sub Reddit for Red Pocket Mobile, about issues many of their customers who are using the AT&T Network are having and thinking about the possibility of moving DD to another carrier. And, she needs a new phone with 5G (and she wants "an upgrade"). I looked at the web sites of some of the companies mentioned in this thread and I googled for Reviews and info on "best plans". At this time, I believe I will suggest to her that about 2 weeks before her 360 days on Red Pocket Mobile ends that she signs up for T-Mobile Connect $15 per month (I assume they add taxes and fees to that). Top tier carrier. That will allow plenty of time for them to Port her phone number to T-Mobile. It starts with 2.5 GB of Data. I will study the details on their web site later.

When looking at some different routings for DD to return from Germany (or possibly from the UK or another EU country) to her destination in the USA, I have seen TAP show up with very low fares on a number of occasions. More interesting is that they will permit a FREE stopover in Portugal (airfare only) for up to 5 nights, if one arranges that when booking the reservation. That is very cool if someone has the time and interest and money in seeing some of Portugal.

My DD receives promotions like that occasionally. The last one arrived approximately 2 weeks ago. Things I have never heard of. Possibly some of them have good benefits but basically I think they want money and won't provide any benefit, because few if any people have ever heard of them. I told her that if and when she receives an invitation for Phi Beta Kappa to sign up.

In 2019 I studied MVNOs in the USA for DD and I selected Red Pocket Mobile and put her on the AT&T Network. GSMA in Red Pocket Mobile system. That has been fine. However... In February 2022, AT&T will kill their 3G Network and they will have a list of phones that can be on their system, like Verizon has had for years for their system. In the case of my DD, her phone (Moto G4) is more than 4.5 years old now and the battery is not holding a good charge and she is on a "Semester Abroad" program in Germany now for 4 months. She bought a Prepaid SIM for Deutche Telekom. No idea what she is paying for that and she is only there for 4 months, so I suggested she get the best service available. Now, back to Red Pocket Mobile. I need to send them an email and ask if they have a URL for the most recent list of phones that AT&T will permit on their network starting in February 2022 when they kill their 3G network. I doubt that the old Moto G4 would meet the new AT&T requirements (the LTE Bands plus the LTE Technologies) even if the battery were brand new... We buy the $99 USD plan for 360 days from their web site on eBay. That is $8.25 USD per each 30 day period. 30 days x 12 - $99.00 USD. DD has low limits. I wanted to get her a better plan, but she was home in Colombia for the Spring 2021 semester (Online courses because of COVID-19, which saved her $, because she didn't need to pay for Room and Board) and now she is overseas (in Germany) so she isn't using it. I think it has 1 GB of Data plus 1000 minutes plus unlimited Texts. It's called the "Essential Plan" I believe the best deals for Red Pocket Mobile are in their eBay store. 360 day plans like that one. Sometimes, like around Thanksgiving, there are nice discounts... Now a disclaimer... On rare occasions I read the sub Reddit for Red Pocket Mobile. Recently I am seeing threads and replies about issues with the Red Pocket Mobile GSMA (AT&T in the USA) network. Many people are having issues. Some people are reporting all is OK where they live/work. Other people have reported having trouble with other MVNOs running on the AT&T USA network. I am wondering if some or all of this is related to the fact that AT&T will kill 3G as they get their 5G network up and running? I am hoping that my DD can remain on AT&T because it was working fine for her in Chapel Hill. That will depend upon the new requirements (February 2022 and after that) for phone models that AT&T will allow on their network in the USA. DD wants to buy a new phone ( she wants "an upgrade") and I am hoping she can hold off until January 2022, when we know more about the requirements. If possible she will stay on Red Pocket Mobile GSMA (AT&T USA)

Another option would be to set up an appointment with an IRS "Enrolled Agent". CPA or Enrolled Agent, write down all of your questions and concerns before you go to the appointment, so you don't forget any of the issues involved.

@Tap I am a huge believer in Online Tax Software (especially TurboTax) so for several reasons, I suggest to you that you set up a separate dummy TurboTax account with a different email address. If their system detects that your SSN has been used on another tax return for 2020 (eg if that's the service you used for 2020), then use the Software of a different company, for example TaxAct. (1) Go through their questions, as either "Single" or "Head of Household" and answer them and see what it shows that you will owe or get back. Then, go back to where it has the Filing Status and change to the other Filing Status. See which Filing Status is more advantageous to you (eg. Larger refund or less owed to IRS) (2) TurboTax has a very active forum for their users. During the business week (IME early in 2021 for several 2020 Federal tax questions) they have some employees participating in the forum who may answer your questions in a few minutes). Earlier this year I had several questions about my 2020 Federal return (I don't need to file a State return). All of my questions were answered in the forum. I asked in the Forum after searching for information on IRS.GOV and on TurboTax, etc. (3) The really tricky part is that if you do this, for example, today, the Online Tax Software is set up for the 2020 tax year. So, with any of the issues you have mentioned, if you know that there were changes between 2020 and 2021 tax years, you will need to make what we will call politely a "Wild Guess". The idea always should be to come up with you owing as little as possible to the IRS or receiving a small refund from the IRS. If under your circumstances you can keep that to approximately $300 USD I would consider that very successful. OT: I have been able to use the IRS Free File program to file our taxes and those of DD (which include a State return) for a number of years. Sadly, TurboTax (Intuit) will not participate in that program starting in October (?) 2020 and probably some of the other big services will follow TurboTax and stop participating in the program. Because I began on the IRS.GOV web site and used Free File, I was able to use the complete TurboTax Online Software, which included a Schedule C. Usually that requires a more expensive version of the service. And it efiled my Federal return and the Federal and State returns for DD, Free... Good luck!

This is OT or is it? Possibly something additional for your DC to look into to add to knowledge and understanding of how everything intertwines. I audited this course a few months ago. I recommend it for your consideration. It's free if you Audit. https://www.edx.org/course/american-government-constitutional-foundations

Of the friends and relatives in the USA that I know have been vaccinated (months ago) one cousin in California had the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine on April 1, 2021. She had a lot of difficulty I believe possibly for several weeks. However... She added that all of her life she has been sensitive to Medicines and Vaccines so I'm not sure how much of a sample she is. Obviously of the major vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen) the smallest number of people have received Janssen and it came out later so there is not as much information about it. There were as I recall several issues with Janseen, including when the morons (I am searching for a polite word that I can use on a family friendly forum like WTM) in a factory in Baltimore Maryland mixed the ingredients of the Janssen vaccine with the ingredients of the AstraZeneca vaccine. I believe several other issues in that factory... I am still not vaccinated and here in Colombia for some reason of the 5 million doses of Moderna that were supposed to arrive during the 3rd quarter, only 150,000 have arrived and that has really put the vaccination effort here in a bad place. Awhile ago I read that they hope next week to have some clarity from Moderna about what the problem is. PfizerBioNTech has the final authority. Moderna applied for final authority 1 or 2 weeks ago. I suspect that Janseen will be ready for that in 2 to 6 months?

After 17 or 18 months of online courses (after the sudden switch from in-person courses early in 2020) and the isolation, I was so happy to get a WhatsApp text message from DD last night her time. She was going to go to a movie with some of her classmates in the "Semester Abroad" program in Germany. Before they went to the movie, they ate Indian food. So much better than her being alone in her dorm for months last year (our airspace was closed for months, so she couldn't come home during May 2020 because the airline had to cancel the flight, and she had to wait until November 2020) and was in front of her laptop hours each day. ETA: There is a "Silver Lining"

@MEmamaThis is From a very old father... The first time our DD went off to a university in a foreign country (in the USA) was in August 2019. I was OK, until she went through the door to the Secure area in the International terminal in the airport and then it was so sudden. She was gone. There were so many things that I wished I had told her... My DW and I were pretty sad in the car on the way home and I think both of us cried for 30 to 60 minutes, after we were in the house and then we were OK. HINT: If you haven't already done so install "WhatsApp" on your phones and tablets. In addition to email, that is wonderful and it is free. Voice or Text. My DW and DD mostly use Voice. I use Text with her almost always. To show you how things change. Yesterday was her FDOC in her "Semester Abroad" program in Germany. For a month or 2 before she left, I was thinking about when she would be leaving and counting the days. I had tears in my eyes, many many times, just thinking about her leaving. Because of COVID-19 only the passengers are allowed in the International terminal now. My wife and I said goodbye to DD before she left the house in the car to go to the airport and we were both OK. We as parents are proud of them and are happy for them.

The logistics for the manufacture and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines are quite complicated. My Stepson had the first dose of the Moderna vaccine a few weeks ago. I was contemplating going with him, when he goes back for the 2nd dose. We live in Colombia. Something happened. Colombia ordered 5 million doses to arrive in Bogota during the 3rd quarter of 2021. There's September to go, but so far, only 180,000 doses have arrived in Bogota. Colombia has asked the U.S. Government if they can loan us 5 million doses of Moderna and then Colombia can have what we paid for sent to the USA to repay them. This has made a huge dent in the vaccination plan for COVID-19 here. I think I missed my chance for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, but I would like to get that one or the Moderna, if I have the opportunity. The vaccine is Free here, it's just a matter of them having the one I want available in a place that isn't too far from where we live.

I believe that my DD applied "EA" (see definition below) during October (?) of her Senior year. If you have a Connection with North Carolina I suspect they may have preferences for Military at UNC CH or elsewhere in the UNC system of universities? I'm not sure but check it out if you are connected with NC. Thanks to your family for your service! "Early admission is a college admission plan in which students apply earlier in the year than usual and receive their results early as well. This benefits students by reducing the number of applications to be completed at one time, and by providing results early."

OP if your DS qualifies for any of the National Recognition Programs of the College Board he should take the PSAT/NMSQT during October (?) of his Junior year. My DD qualifies as Hispanic (Latina) and she did qualify and I believe that helped her with university admissions. https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scholarships-and-recognition/recognition-programs She took both the ACT and the SAT and the results were approximately the same, but a little better with the ACT, so she went with that. Some students do much better with one or the other. The test material and the strategies are very different. Good luck to your DS!

My "kid" (my DD) is now a Young Adult. Today is her FDOC in her "Semester Abroad" program in Germany. She was switched, with millions of other students in the USA, suddenly, from in-person classes to online courses, early in 2020. This is her return to in-person classes and I am sure that it will be different for her and the other students who make that transition. The university in Germany normally has approximately 200 students in their "Semester Abroad" programs. This semester there are 40 plus. With time, more students will be attending in-person courses.

Amen and plus one for this. I suggest doing that every 24 hours, as it gets close to the date of the flights. Not as often as on WTM, but I occasionally post on a Travel Forum for Colombia, which is where we live. Colombia has a form for International passengers to use (arriving or departing) called Check-Mig. The original Check-Mig form seems to be problematic and I am constantly suggesting to people that they use the Contingency form of the Check-Mig form. That one works properly and gives a QR Code. When people "object" to using the Contingency form, I explain to them that if they use the original form, the airline may Deny Boarding (which I know happens). Also, the airline may require them to purchase another ticket, for their new departure date. I am beginning to think about suggestions for after DD finishes her "Semester Abroad" in Germany in December 2021. There will be 2 options: (a) To spend more time in Germany and avoid issues with Quarantines in other countries in the EU/UK and then on the return to the USA or (b) Visit one other country in the EU or UK after leaving Germany and then go to the USA. I believe that with COVID-19 one must be very flexible and ready to change if necessary before the scheduled departure date.

Many of the approximately 9 million U.S. Citizens who do not live in the USA are not enrolled in the "STEP" program of the Department of State. One of the many issues at this time is that the U.S. Government has no accurate number on the number of U.S. Citizens who are in Afghanistan now. Colombia, where we live, is going to take approximately 4000 Afghani citizens, temporarily, until they can get the paperwork they need to continue to the USA. The USA will pay for that.

Dawn I will include this in my daily prayers.

This morning (local time in Germany) DD went to get a lab test for COVID-19. It was "Negative", so her 10 day quarantine is over, after 5 days of quarantine and that exam. She isn't sure if it was a PCR or an Antigen test. It was Free. Then, in the afternoon, she went for her first COVID-19 vaccination. They gave her the Pfizer vaccine which IMO is the best. It was Free. I'm thankful that she changed her reservation to go to Germany 10+ days earlier, so she could do the 10 day quarantine if it was required and it was required, as we had assumed it would be.

There is a big possibility that they cannot cancel their existing visa application(s). If it has been submitted that someone else is paying for their trip, IMO that may just kill it for them... I suggest they get married in the USA and then go on their Honeymoon as Tourists.

Not a boy, but this old man likes to carry his cell phone in the right front pocket of his jeans, with his wallet. I think my low end Moto phone has a 5.5" display? My phone is low-end and has a very large capacity battery, which was my #1 priority. I would not be able to stuff a larger phone with a larger display into the front pocket of my jeans. Women have purses to carry their stuff around. Men don't have purses.

DD has an appointment to get tested for COVID-19 tomorrow morning. (19 August 2021). God willing she is still "Negative" after her trip from Colombia to Germany and 5 days in the dorm/hotel. It is free for German citizens. Possibly will also be free for her? They told her the results take approximately 20 minutes. I think the Antigen exam may be OK to end the Quarantine. Seems like the Antigen exam is less invasive than the PCR exam? So I am praying and have my fingers crossed for a "Negative" result for her exam tomorrow. Also, she has an appointment to get the first vaccination for COVID-19.

I agree with previous answers. IMO they should get married in the USA. Answering the Visa question about is someone else paying for your trip was probably a "KOD" (Kiss of Death) for their Visa application(s)... And yes, if they get married in the USA it is SO much easier. And yes, if they ever need a certified copy of their Wedding certificate or anything else from Scotland, it could be a PITA. Mazel tov to them!

The Taliban have set up a "ring" around the airport in Kabul. Now, people who are not inside the airport cannot get into it... I am very old and remember the disastrous evacuation of Saigon. What is going on in Kabul now seems far worse. Please include the brave men and women of the U.S. Marines and U.S. Army who are there in your prayers. Hopefully they will all get home safely.