Complaint Review: AIU Online

Had the same thing happen to me as your friend.  I enrolled back in 2005 and was accepted for a Pell Grant.  I took the first course (4 weeks long) and then my step-sister's computer, whom I was using for my classes, was struck in a lightning storm and would never work again.  I called them and told them I couldn't attend class anymore or would have to postpone until I was able to purchase a computer of my own.  A year later, I get a bill in the mail on my student loan.  

Apparently, AIU Online kept my Pell Grant, never applied it to my tuition and made a student loan to the tune of $4000 for an Associates in Business Administration.  All for only 4 weeks of college that covered only one course.  I was a single mother of 3 that was not working and having to live at a relative's home due to my health at the time, and they did that to me?  

You know that Pell Grant was a good $5000.  The bad thing is, they never sent me the letter telling me how much it was for and by law they are required to do so.

I was a student at AIU/ Online. I too Graduated with Honors. I had a very good experience. Often times frustration did make me wish I had never signed up for this school but it was frustration with my busy schedule not the school itself.
Many of my instructors were extremly helpful.  Within three weeks I had my dream job. Therefore I am proud of the fact I attended AIU Online. Without AIU the positive changes that have been made in my life would not exist.

First off I have never heard of Na, Texas. Does not sound like a real name to me.
If you want to attend a JUNK ONLINE SCHOOL like AIU, that is your decision, but you are getting ripped off!

AND WHAT's WRONG WITH PUSHING 40? I will be 41 in 3 weeks and I am in school now, and will probably end up in a 4 year university to complete my degree program, which by the way I have been working on, off and on since 1988.

I can understand some people wanting/needing to complete a quick start education program, but these overpriced brick & morter schools like ITT, WestWood, Sanford Brown, Academy of Health Care Careers, Remington College and these online schools like UOP, AIU, AXIA, Strayer, Capella, Kaplan, Almeda, etc. are overpriced and you still do not get the education you get from either a state 2 or 4 year college.

The state schools are more respected by employers. Plus your credits can be transferred from college to college with practically no questions asked.

I don't understand after all the complaints on this web and attempted law suits, etc. that people continue to enroll in these overpriced, barely accredited schools.

William,

Stating your employment with AIU as well as being a student.BIG MISTAKE. It is common practice universities out of ethical and legal reasons want allow employees to be students.

Further your feeble attempt to explain your 'so wonderful experience with AIU' is also common on this site of BBB. Just shows the frustration of so many unhappy 'employees and students' regarding AIU. Therefore quit complaining and try the real world for it is then you will find out how crooked and deceiving AIU is.

It will take legal actions and true commitment from former students and employees of AIU to stop them.

Wow, what a long post. Well people, after reading all of the AIU posts, it doesn't seem that anyone is falling in the middle. Everyone seems to either love or hate AIU online. I went to AIU to get my associates degree. My high school classes were harder than the curriculum at AIU. I spent about an hour or so a week and graduated with a 3.5 GPA. I only went to AIU for my associates, then moving on to another school for my bachelors degree. Many of my AIU classes are not good enough to meet the standards at many other schools. Oh well, $20K mistake, not much I can do about it now. But, for those of you that may be embarrassed by having an online degree, just go to a traditional school that offers online degrees. I've talked to the admission people, and if you really wanted to, you could walk to receive your degree with the people who went to the physical school. There are way too many to list, here are a few that I've looked in to.....

Arizona State http://asuonline.asu.edu/programs/index.cfm
Boston University http://www.bu.edu/online/
Cal State University, Chico http://rce.csuchico.edu/online/programlist.asp
DePaul University http://www.snlonline.net/index.asp
Florida State University http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/online/index.cfm
Indiana University http://scs.indiana.edu/undergraddegrees/degrequirements.html
Indiana Wesleyan http://www.iwuonline.com/areas-of-study.htm
Kansas State http://www.dce.ksu.edu/courses/degrees/bachelors.shtml
New York University http://www.scps.nyu.edu/landing/index.jsp?wfId=976
Northeastern University http://www.spcs.neu.edu/online/
Oregon State http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/online-degrees/programs.htm
Penn State University http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/
Southern New Hampshire University http://www.snhu.edu/244.asp
Texas Tech http://www.depts.ttu.edu/distancelearning/programs.php
University of Alabama http://academicoutreach.ua.edu/page.cfmpage=degrees&sub_page=3
University of Colorado http://www.cuonline.edu/acad_htm/ol_degrees.shtml
University of Maryland http://www.umuc.edu/online_ed.shtml
University of Massachusets http://www.umassonline.net/
University of Missouri http://mudirect.missouri.edu/degprog/_degrees.shtm
University of North Carolina http://web.uncg.edu/dcl/icampus/degree/bls.asp
University of North Dakota http://www.conted.und.edu/ddp/programs.html
University of Toledo http://www.dl.utoledo.edu/programs/bachelorALS.htm
University of Wisconsin-Platteville http://www.uwplatt.edu/disted/
University of Wyoming http://ecampus.uwyo.edu/index.real?action=Degrees
Washington State http://distance.wsu.edu/

Hey Angel,
the trouble with your argument is the same as with any graduate of studies. You still are undereducated, and actually it is just a feeling. I am too a student at AIU and when you went, (when did you go you did not say?) they may have just started developing the technique of online school.
when I started taking classes I thought that it was a piece of cake,(and I do not
appreciate that comment any..... can get a degree from AIU,that was unfair to others now getting their degree) but have started paying for during my Bachelors course.

what I wanted to tell you is that you could have earned that same 5,000 back in scholarships. AIU now offers the lifelong scholarship for students taking their Bachelors with them, it is 2,000 dollars. You had that coming back to you and with anything Mr. patients is a virtue. Better luck next time.

Angel, (and a few other detractors)

I find it difficult to believe that you had passing grades in English composition!

However, that being said, you said it yourself, AIU is a "for profit" university. SO? Even so called non-profit schools are really all all about income.(Say it ain't so!) and you didn't mention that AIU tuition includes - in total- all NEW books, software ( NOT cheap if purchased retail,folks) in the comparitively middle/low tuition, nationally.( Not to mention "hidden" costs. (Gas, daycare, etc.)

As far as "distance learning" goes, AIU is state of the art.Period-no question. Because the internet is an ever changing entity,and therefore AIU a growth business, YES - mistakes are made - however, that is far, far from a "gotcha". It's a simple business fact in any growth industry.

Does that fact cover up all discrepancies? No, it doesn't. However, going off on a personal tangent, though there may be SOME basis in reality, is shown for what it is. A whine, a gripe - you name it. And the FACTS are, that AIU has a system for professionally addressing ANY concerns of the student.

As for the "...and nothing else..." statement. I know I won't change your attitude & position & you're welcome to your own conclusions. But, not only do I work at AIU, but am also a student. I believe in the quality of curriculum and it's preparation for future endeavor. NO one has ever had a degree at AIU conferred under anything less that full SACS ( Regional) accreditation.

I wish that you, and others, could have viewed your experience as I have had thus far (VERY few on cmapus know I am also an employee)

... and that is one of an ultimately, QUALITY education (as is verified by various Corporate, Military and Government entities), that does strive to meet ANY student's needs, on multiple levels and prepare each and every one, for the "real world" existing beyond graduation.

PS. My advice to ANY prospective student. DO your research on what; A.) YOUR state regulatory body may require, for the career you intend on pursuing. B.) KNOW, what employers are asking for in credential, for the job you may be seeking. THEN - go about finding what degree program will fulfill your personal goals.

Angel, (and a few other detractors)

I find it difficult to believe that you had passing grades in English composition!

However, that being said, you said it yourself, AIU is a "for profit" university. SO? Even so called non-profit schools are really all all about income.(Say it ain't so!) and you didn't mention that AIU tuition includes - in total- all NEW books, software ( NOT cheap if purchased retail,folks) in the comparitively middle/low tuition, nationally.( Not to mention "hidden" costs. (Gas, daycare, etc.)

As far as "distance learning" goes, AIU is state of the art.Period-no question. Because the internet is an ever changing entity,and therefore AIU a growth business, YES - mistakes are made - however, that is far, far from a "gotcha". It's a simple business fact in any growth industry.

Does that fact cover up all discrepancies? No, it doesn't. However, going off on a personal tangent, though there may be SOME basis in reality, is shown for what it is. A whine, a gripe - you name it. And the FACTS are, that AIU has a system for professionally addressing ANY concerns of the student.

As for the "...and nothing else..." statement. I know I won't change your attitude & position & you're welcome to your own conclusions. But, not only do I work at AIU, but am also a student. I believe in the quality of curriculum and it's preparation for future endeavor. NO one has ever had a degree at AIU conferred under anything less that full SACS ( Regional) accreditation.

I wish that you, and others, could have viewed your experience as I have had thus far (VERY few on cmapus know I am also an employee)

... and that is one of an ultimately, QUALITY education (as is verified by various Corporate, Military and Government entities), that does strive to meet ANY student's needs, on multiple levels and prepare each and every one, for the "real world" existing beyond graduation.

PS. My advice to ANY prospective student. DO your research on what; A.) YOUR state regulatory body may require, for the career you intend on pursuing. B.) KNOW, what employers are asking for in credential, for the job you may be seeking. THEN - go about finding what degree program will fulfill your personal goals.

Angel, (and a few other detractors)

I find it difficult to believe that you had passing grades in English composition!

However, that being said, you said it yourself, AIU is a "for profit" university. SO? Even so called non-profit schools are really all all about income.(Say it ain't so!) and you didn't mention that AIU tuition includes - in total- all NEW books, software ( NOT cheap if purchased retail,folks) in the comparitively middle/low tuition, nationally.( Not to mention "hidden" costs. (Gas, daycare, etc.)

As far as "distance learning" goes, AIU is state of the art.Period-no question. Because the internet is an ever changing entity,and therefore AIU a growth business, YES - mistakes are made - however, that is far, far from a "gotcha". It's a simple business fact in any growth industry.

Does that fact cover up all discrepancies? No, it doesn't. However, going off on a personal tangent, though there may be SOME basis in reality, is shown for what it is. A whine, a gripe - you name it. And the FACTS are, that AIU has a system for professionally addressing ANY concerns of the student.

As for the "...and nothing else..." statement. I know I won't change your attitude & position & you're welcome to your own conclusions. But, not only do I work at AIU, but am also a student. I believe in the quality of curriculum and it's preparation for future endeavor. NO one has ever had a degree at AIU conferred under anything less that full SACS ( Regional) accreditation.

I wish that you, and others, could have viewed your experience as I have had thus far (VERY few on cmapus know I am also an employee)

... and that is one of an ultimately, QUALITY education (as is verified by various Corporate, Military and Government entities), that does strive to meet ANY student's needs, on multiple levels and prepare each and every one, for the "real world" existing beyond graduation.

PS. My advice to ANY prospective student. DO your research on what; A.) YOUR state regulatory body may require, for the career you intend on pursuing. B.) KNOW, what employers are asking for in credential, for the job you may be seeking. THEN - go about finding what degree program will fulfill your personal goals.

Angel, (and a few other detractors)

I find it difficult to believe that you had passing grades in English composition!

However, that being said, you said it yourself, AIU is a "for profit" university. SO? Even so called non-profit schools are really all all about income.(Say it ain't so!) and you didn't mention that AIU tuition includes - in total- all NEW books, software ( NOT cheap if purchased retail,folks) in the comparitively middle/low tuition, nationally.( Not to mention "hidden" costs. (Gas, daycare, etc.)

As far as "distance learning" goes, AIU is state of the art.Period-no question. Because the internet is an ever changing entity,and therefore AIU a growth business, YES - mistakes are made - however, that is far, far from a "gotcha". It's a simple business fact in any growth industry.

Does that fact cover up all discrepancies? No, it doesn't. However, going off on a personal tangent, though there may be SOME basis in reality, is shown for what it is. A whine, a gripe - you name it. And the FACTS are, that AIU has a system for professionally addressing ANY concerns of the student.

As for the "...and nothing else..." statement. I know I won't change your attitude & position & you're welcome to your own conclusions. But, not only do I work at AIU, but am also a student. I believe in the quality of curriculum and it's preparation for future endeavor. NO one has ever had a degree at AIU conferred under anything less that full SACS ( Regional) accreditation.

I wish that you, and others, could have viewed your experience as I have had thus far (VERY few on cmapus know I am also an employee)

... and that is one of an ultimately, QUALITY education (as is verified by various Corporate, Military and Government entities), that does strive to meet ANY student's needs, on multiple levels and prepare each and every one, for the "real world" existing beyond graduation.

PS. My advice to ANY prospective student. DO your research on what; A.) YOUR state regulatory body may require, for the career you intend on pursuing. B.) KNOW, what employers are asking for in credential, for the job you may be seeking. THEN - go about finding what degree program will fulfill your personal goals.

Liz wrote.. And it is for the most part very misleading info.

Quit comparing online programs to brick and mortar colleges and universities and stick with reality.

AIU is defrauding people with there boiler room tactics and financially ruin allot of people. There is NO integrity and NOBODY has the best interest of students in mind. Student Advisors changed many times for one student and management hang up or has been NON-available at all or rude and threatening at best.

Nobody at AIU indicated that a class will cost me over $ 2.600.00 rather my degree will cost me including books $ 12.000.00 BERORE I started my classes which I have in hard copy. Now I am up to $ 37.000.00 in financial aid and $ 10.500.00 in self payments and scholarships for the accelerated bachelor program that I graduated 4.0 GPA.

So, DON'T tell people that AIU is a good school rather then advise prospective students what they are getting into before entering into any financial hardships after the fact.

As far as I am concerned YOU are no more then a poor excuse, unethical and defrauding working for AIU when you claim YOU LOVE working for such bogus company.

AIU is on probation for a reason and you are a BIG part of it.

I am so sorry to hear of all of the frustration that some of you have experienced; especially you Angel. I will tell you that I am in management level position with AIU Online, and I am completely in love with what we do. I know that there are probably some bad apples wherever you go to school, but it seems that all of you are speaking out of anger, and not pointing out any of the positives. I am also a current student at AIU Online.

I have been with this university for more than four years and I have seen nothing but positive improvements. I cannot speak for everyone, but I will say that those individuals that I have worked with (students) have been spoken to with respect and regard for their best interest. I work in the admissions department, so I see all of the trials that students have been through to try and earn their degree.

The advisors that I work with operate with integrity only, and will always but the best interest of the student before anything. It's not a sales environment; it is all about Servicing the student.

Again, I apologize for what you experienced, and I wish that you would have called into a queue line for admissions or academics so that we would have been able to guide you in the right direction. The AA program dropped in cost due to AIU Online trying to service our students better.

Any student that had a session (set of classes) starting 8/27/06 or after would have their tuition adjusted for all of the sessions that came on or after 8/27/06 since this is the session that the tuition increase became effective in.

If you graduated before then, then of course you would not be eligible.

In regards to your friends issue with owing $2,400 to AIU for logging into class, I have to say Read your enrollment agreement in the application for admission that you signed and then submitted to verify acceptance into this university. It clearly states that you will not be charged for courses that you do not take. It has a breakdown of what you are responsible for if you decide to remove yourself from the program.

If your friend would have spoken with her student advisor, then she would have known how to be removed, and not have any financial responsibilities outside of her own pocket.
Once a student is accepted here at AIU Online, they then have the opportunity to work with a FA advisor to advise them on what needs to be completed and why.

At a campus based school, you walk into a room, and you pick up a stack of papers, submit them, and hope that you have done everything correctly. At AIU, you will know what your financial situation is prior to even starting.
Is AIU a little more expensive than a community college? The answer is yes; absolutely. We are a private institution that is regionally accredited by SACS (Southern association of colleges and schools).

This is a private university, not a state school. All schools are great if they provide what you are looking for to fulfill your dream of earning your degree. If you need 24/7 accessibility with great customer service and guidance, then AIU is the school for you to be.

Break down the cost scenario though. You can attend a community college, and for a couple thousand dollars receive your AA degree but what would you have to give up in your life to make time to go to a community college? If you have the opportunity to go to a community college, and spend less money (if this is the deciding factor), then you should not be looking into online programs. That would mean that you are not a good candidate for our programs. It's all about finding a good fit.

I hope that this helped shed some light on the situation. If any of you out there have questions or concerns, please feel free to post them, and I will get back to you at my first available opportunity.

Hey Peter, do us all a favor, quit acting like some hot-shot know it all SOB when you really don't know a thing and only half-a**ed read whatever someone posts.

You obviously work for the university (or have at one time) because your speech sounds all too familiar...

I've only had to repeat myself ump-teen times before you "got" what I said to begin with regarding AIU. You are just picking a fight and have been since you responded to my first posting. Funny, I actually anticipated this very response from you Peter. Thank you for humering me.

By the way, as far as having to do for all...? That's bull s**t. What no one else *knows* would not hurt them. H**ll, AIU is so damned crooked anyway, if they wanted to for *once* do "the noble thing" they could have credited me the difference toward the bachelor program and kept from losing a "customer"-- note--not student. It's a business....BAD business.

Most would not even consider the bachelor program after the h**l they had gone through during the associates anyway...and to be honest, I had not planned on dumped more money in AIU for the bachelor program even if they'd have agreed to that credit,...if anything, I just wanted to prove a point, that they are money hungry bastards and could give a rats a**s about their reputation as such or any student.

I have said my piece. Enjoy talking to yourself Peter; from the sounds, it is something you do often....

Unless you are attending Walmart University, it is highly unreasonable to expect any college to credit you the difference if costs decrease in any way. You contracted with the college to earn a degree at a specified price. You in turn earned your degree, and paid the price as agreed upon by both yourself and the university.

The price happens to be lower now, which is great, considering that tuition prices typically only rise, not fall. However, THEY DO NOT OWE YOU ANYTHING, and it is rather rude of you to demand compensation. Keep in mind, if they gave you a refund, or credit, or however you put it, they will have to do so for EVERYONE who graduated before the prices went down. THAT IS SIMPLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

It is time to let this pass and move on. Perhaps if you do not dwell on the small stuff, you would not be enduring so many "anxiety problems" as you describe.

Sorry, can't remember your name...Ann I believe..?

Anyway, I had "considered" the bachelor program too, but you know, sooooo many issues I endured since enrollment and the final straw was when I asked them to credit the difference I would have saved had I of enrolled since the recent tuition rate change on AABA.

I wasn't surprised with the answer, but still, to hear the coldness in their voices when they wouldn't even "consider it" and just flat out said NO just validates the fact that it is all about money to that school and not the student.

A good "business" would want to keep a good "customer." They are not even concerned with that! If they'd have lowered the bachelor tuition rates and I decided to go elsewhere, I wouldn't have a gripe about it, that would have been fair, but they did not. They don't deserve a dime from anybody and I hope enough people out there wake up like I and so many others did here and quit dumping money in that school!!!!

Good luck with that by the way, cuz I'm afraid you're going to need it. Many have stated that they have gotten no where with their degrees from AIU. I hope for your sake it wasn't all in vain as that is a lot of time and $$$$$$$ to be dumping all in one place. There is a reason for the saying..."don't put all your eggs in one basket..."

Curious why you're here if all is going "so well" with your dealings with AIU and you are so happy with them....? Is there something you are not telling us...?

Take care,

Angel

Sorry, can't remember your name...Ann I believe..?

Anyway, I had "considered" the bachelor program too, but you know, sooooo many issues I endured since enrollment and the final straw was when I asked them to credit the difference I would have saved had I of enrolled since the recent tuition rate change on AABA.

I wasn't surprised with the answer, but still, to hear the coldness in their voices when they wouldn't even "consider it" and just flat out said NO just validates the fact that it is all about money to that school and not the student.

A good "business" would want to keep a good "customer." They are not even concerned with that! If they'd have lowered the bachelor tuition rates and I decided to go elsewhere, I wouldn't have a gripe about it, that would have been fair, but they did not. They don't deserve a dime from anybody and I hope enough people out there wake up like I and so many others did here and quit dumping money in that school!!!!

Good luck with that by the way, cuz I'm afraid you're going to need it. Many have stated that they have gotten no where with their degrees from AIU. I hope for your sake it wasn't all in vain as that is a lot of time and $$$$$$$ to be dumping all in one place. There is a reason for the saying..."don't put all your eggs in one basket..."

Curious why you're here if all is going "so well" with your dealings with AIU and you are so happy with them....? Is there something you are not telling us...?

Take care,

Angel

Sorry, can't remember your name...Ann I believe..?

Anyway, I had "considered" the bachelor program too, but you know, sooooo many issues I endured since enrollment and the final straw was when I asked them to credit the difference I would have saved had I of enrolled since the recent tuition rate change on AABA.

I wasn't surprised with the answer, but still, to hear the coldness in their voices when they wouldn't even "consider it" and just flat out said NO just validates the fact that it is all about money to that school and not the student.

A good "business" would want to keep a good "customer." They are not even concerned with that! If they'd have lowered the bachelor tuition rates and I decided to go elsewhere, I wouldn't have a gripe about it, that would have been fair, but they did not. They don't deserve a dime from anybody and I hope enough people out there wake up like I and so many others did here and quit dumping money in that school!!!!

Good luck with that by the way, cuz I'm afraid you're going to need it. Many have stated that they have gotten no where with their degrees from AIU. I hope for your sake it wasn't all in vain as that is a lot of time and $$$$$$$ to be dumping all in one place. There is a reason for the saying..."don't put all your eggs in one basket..."

Curious why you're here if all is going "so well" with your dealings with AIU and you are so happy with them....? Is there something you are not telling us...?

Take care,

Angel

I am a current student of AIU Online. I received my Associate Degree last year and I'll receive my Bachelor Degree next month. Then I am going on to my Master's program. No school is perfect. They all have their quirks. And anyone could have looked online to see the status of AIU's accredidation. I know I did. For me AIU was my best choice for online learning.

I began my classes while I was overseas and I'm too paranoid to go to a regular school so I'm sticking things out. And Peter, I've seen those commercial's for AIU. It is for their campus in GA, not the online school. I've seen commercials for community colleges and regular universities as well. So obviously every university is desperate huh?

And Angel, you are not a sucker, nor is everyone else that goes there. I'm sorry that girl got charged $2400 for a class she didn't take, it is something she will need to work out herself. And I hope your credits transfer so all your work won't have been in vain.

LOL...Peter, I don't know what you're reading, but my entire posts are advising people to steer clear of AIU....LMAO!!!!

As I said, people should attend a school they can be *PROUD* of attending--*NOT* embarrassed.

So let me spell this out for you...

I AM EMBARRASSED TO SAY I HAVE A DEGREE FROM AIU!!!

Maybe that will ring a bit more clearer to your ears...

Appreciate the laughs...

Cya

Angel

That hardly sounds like AIU.

Any college that has to resort to television advertisements to lure in unsuspecting students is NOT one that "you can be proud of." It is one that is desperate to attract new students any way it can -- while doing nothing to RETAIN students that they already have.

You don't see desperate television ads for Harvard or other fine schools, now do you? If the school is not good enough that it can't attract students the normal way (i.e., through general reputation, recommendations from others, a solid history of quality, etc) then it is a school that should be avoided at all costs!!

I don't have a lot of time to respond here.

I think I have explained in my first posting VERY CLEARLY why I posted on this forum.

***This goes to anyone out there that reads this***

I know many choose AIU to get that FAST DEGREE. I know it sounds attractive...13 months and you got a degree, and faster if you tranfer in prior college credits like me...but it *matters* where you get that degree from people.

You should be proud of the school you attend-- not embarrassed.

I *did* my research, but like so many out there. What attracted me to AIU the most was I was pushing 40 and didn't want to spend the next 3-4 years in college. I knew I could get that bachelors degree in 2 years!! That is the biggest seller right there with AIU!! An online college that was regionally accredited and you could receive a bachelors in just 2 years....? Yeah, this is what reeled me and most others in no doubt...

Something else I would like to point out that I should have pointed out in my first posting is they never disclosed the fact they were on probation for their accreditation when I enrolled. This is the most important question..."are you regionally accredited", and they answered "yes", never disclosing the rest of the story.

Word of advice...check this information out before dumping money in your school of choice...because they are not going to share they are on probation with you.

If I'd have known this information, whether I received a degree in 2 months or13 months, I'd have never attended AIU!!!!! Once I learned this information, I knew then I enrolled in a very crooked school. It is true, admissions are sales people going after that quota. You know what else...? Mark, my admission rep, lied about that too. Said they were not on commission and had no quotas to make.

I realize that there are all sorts of issues at many schools out there, not just AIU, but there are some very reputable schools out there where you will be PROUD of receiving that degree from, and although it may take you a few months longer...maybe a year...or two longer..it will be worth it. STOP and THINK. Do not make the same mistakes like so many others like myself did. If I had it to do all over again, I'd have RAN from AIU and attended another online college, even if it took me much longer to receive my degree!! At least it would have been one I could be PROUD of!!

Gotta run...

Good luck everyone,

Angel

To the OP:

I cannot help but wonder why you are complaining then? You willingly enrolled in AIU for specific reasons -- time constraints (wanting to get through the program as quickly as possible) and not wanting to have to do as much work as required in a traditional accredited institution (oral reports, presentations, and other such projects which are necessary to prepare one for a career). You did not choose the school based on price or value, so why is it such a big deal to you now?

The other day I purchased an airline ticket and now today it was a few dollars cheaper. Did I call the airline to rant and rave and demand a refund of the difference? No, of course not. It was my CHOICE to buy my airline ticket when I did, and not wait to see if the price went lower later on. I take responsibility for my actions and decisions as an adult...

Angel here,

As far as community colleges go, yes, you can obtain a degree for far cheaper, but its compared to 7-11 as opposed to going to a large grocery store. You pay for convenience. Also, many pros versus cons to attending online versus traditional. One big one...TIME...another one...many suffer anxiety--like me--and do not like to get up in front of classes to read reports, etc., etc. Many positives to attending online versus traditional schools. I loved being able to attend 24/7 rather than having to be somewhere at a specific time. anyway, you get the picture.

I have attended a community college. It also took 16 weeks to receive a measly 3 credits. Remember--time is money...

You say in some cases you can receive a associates degree for less than 2 grand....? Where, please fill me and the rest of the world in on this information. I have never heard of such a thing. Can't remember what my 15 credits cost me, but that was back in 90/91. Even still, I don't recall it being chump change to take those courses.

I agree, you can attend a CC much cheaper than online, but it generally takes you much longer and there *ARE* so many positives to attending online versus traditional. The sooner you receive that degree, the sooner you qualify for those jobs that you didn't qualify for prior to obtaining one; hence, in many cases, meaning higher pay that you wouldn't otherwise be making if attending traditional and going for another whole year.

Granted, the online school you choose *DOES* make a difference. I can't possibly give an honest answer as to what this online degree from AIU will do for me, but I won't hold my breath.

At this point, all I can hope for is that a well-respected university accepts these credits and I can move on from this experience and further my education to where this associates degree and what anyone thinks of it just won't matter.

Just talking to H and he says you couldn't get an associates from a community college for $2000 15 years ago. Said he recently took a couple course and they were $150-200 PLUS books. Sure, still FAR cheaper than AIU, but still, $2000...? I don't think so.

Thanks for the response,

Signed,

Angel--the sucker from Texas.

You said it! Anyone that goes to this school has "sucker" written on their forehead. Why would anyone pay $25,000 for an associates degree??? Ever hear of community college, people? You can get an associates degree there for a couple thousand, if even that much. And, chances are, it would be more highly respected and better accredited than anything that AIU offers.

My advice to anyone considering this or any other exhorbitantly-priced online learning institution is to thoroughly do your research before blindly enrolling and throwing all your money away. If money is not a factor and you have plenty of burn, enroll if that is what you want to do. But if money IS a major issue in your life, there are many other options out there to consider that will fit in your budget.