You plan to work for Strickland Corporation for 12 years after graduation and after that want to start your own business. You expect to save and deposit $7,500 a year for the first 6 years (t = 1 through t = 6) and $15,000 annually for the following 6 years (t = 7 through t = 12). The first deposit will be made a year from today. In addition, your grandmother just gave you a $25,000 graduation gift that you will deposit immediately (t = 0). If the account earns 9% compounded annually, how much will you have when you start your business 12 years from now?

Select the correct answer.

a. $277,797

b. $277,816

c. $277,853

d. $277,871

e. $277,834