In my case, one of the biggest advantages was the chance to escape a small town like Winder, GA just before going insane. There was also the financial aid aspect as well as the opportunity to earn fifty-five hours of college credit a year early. A large advantage is that all PSO students are registered for classes before anyone else on campus to assure entrance in the classes necessary for high school requirements. As a freshman, this spoiled me badly as I never had to wait in the dreaded long line at the Williams Center, and I always got the classes and times I wanted. Being accepted to college a year early and succeeding was also an honor.
Some students do have trouble coping with the independence that comes with being a college student.
College professors certainly do not spoon-feed students the way many high school teachers do. With college classes comes much responsibility, and this is sometimes difficult for a high school student to digest. Another important point is that the HOPE grant is only available to those who hold a high school diploma. Because the PSO student enters before receiving a diploma, HOPE is not awarded until his or her sophomore year. The student is in no way penalized for attending college a year early, the check is merely withheld until the high school diploma is awarded.