Penn Foster college vs. Troy University (e-troy) Questions?

My story is;

I'm 21, American citizen. Living in the UK. I've had 2 kids and I don't have to time to attend college, nor funds to up and move back home. So Distance learning is my best option. I obviously haven't been to school since 18, 3-3 1/2 give or take years. I've enrolled in General Studies (Penn Foster), to basically refresh my mind. I'm thinking of some career in the medical/pharmacist field. Or perhaps fitness rehabilitation.
From my understanding on the Troy University website I have to have so many hours of General Studies (which they offer, and I apologize in advance for knowing nothing AT ALL about college as it was never an interest until I had kids) Do you have to have that no matter what career/courses you choose? Do you have to have that first? I don't want to waste money with Penn Foster really.
My plan is to so General Studies with Penn Foster then transfer to Troy (e-Troy) Is Penn Foster legitimate? Will the credits transfer over to most/any colleges, and do I need to/should I take General Studies?

Thank you for your understanding of my jumble.

 

Actually, I haven't once thought about it. Only because I'm on an residence permit, and my visa was given to me on outside immigration ground (went to court, won) and it's like, sorta made up? I mean, it's legal obviously but no one can get it, because the Judge allowed it outside immigration rules. And by that I didn't think I could study here without a visa (Student visa), also mine runs out 2014. I'm applying for citizenship by then, hopefully it's granted, therefore studying here would be brilliant, but if it wasn't? well, not so brilliant. Also I would qualify for financing in America since, after all, I am an American citizen. Tho all in all, I'm sure I can study on residence visa since I can work, but never thought of it, and would rather stick to what I know.

 

Btw,
Thank you for given me those names. I will look into it. I want to make the best choices and not be too ignorant, but in saying that is it just me or do the sites look a bit dodgy? Meaning, not legit.

 

Penn Foster is legitimate. It's Nationally Accredited and a number of Penn Foster's courses are ACE evaluated, and many, many colleges will accept credits from ACE evaluated courses, but it's not a guaranteed thing. Your best bet is to contact Troy and ask them specifically about their policy on accepting credits from ACE evaluated courses, and also ask about their policy on accepting credits from Nationally Accredited programs when the courses aren't ACE evaluated.

This should take care of what you need to know.