I recently applied to AIU and was quoted an approximate price for tuition at around $4800 a quarter for five quarters, all of which included books and all other fees. I was also given a quote for the amount of financial aid I would recieve. I was discourage to discover under further investigation that the tuition was in fact approx. $4800 a quarter, but books were an added fee of approx. $460 a quarter, and there was a graduation fee (only $125) that I was assured didn't exist in my initial interviews. As it is coming closer to time for classes to begin, I have also been informed that my grant has been reduced considerably and that I need to apply for more loans. I was also told that my schedule would be completed in 13 months, but now have noticed that indeed all but my last class would be completed in 12 months, but I have a three month break before my last class is scheduled, putting it at closer to 16 months before I am scheduled to graduate. Has anyone else had experience with AIU? I was just wondering if my instance is unusual, or if I should consider this a flag to run before it's too late.
There are a few people (Codekiller off the top of my head) that are in AIU's IT program. The only issues I have heard him talk about was that they have some online graduation rather than a real graduation. Goto the "IT and Computer Related" thread for more info on AIU (it is discussed a few times). Best Regards, Bill
Not to upset anyone here (that is not my intentions)... but I feel AIU is joke...they are a bunch of snots IMO. I called this past summer to inquire about a graduate program (Educational)...and the "so-called" advisor acted like a cars salesman. He gave a passcode and told me to read the "secretive" information on my own and then scheduled me a followup call a week later...a specific time, date etc... Well, I knew after reading the materials it was way out of my budget - and would have to get a fed loan or somthing if I went with them.... So, I had an emergency come up and had to cancel the phone appointment....which i did via this guys email & voice mail. And requested a re-schedule to discuss a few details. Well, I waited and waited, called a few times to try to get this guy back on the phone, and even sent emails to attempt to discuss my questions and such.....no luck at all. Finally, I got a hold of someone in the office and asked what is the deal with Mr. XYZ why can I notget a hold of him, and get a re-scheduled appointment? You want to know what I was told, ...if you cancel an appointment with AIU's advisors, they automatically deemed that as being unprofessional, and non-curtious, and really not intrested. I was accussed of wasting his and thier precious time....when they could have scheduled someone who was actually more serious. I was like...ok whatever. Bunch of puds.
Whit I have not encounted any problem with AIU regarding this. They do advertise a 13 month program for the Bachelor, however, you do have a normal school calander. i.e. Christmas, Turkey Day, etc. The $4,800 per quarter sounds correct. I have been a student since Sept 02, earning my AABA and closing in on completing my BBA. My cost before the last increase is $1,133 per class or $4,532 per quarter. My book cost are $85.00 per class or $340.00 per quarter. Books are a killer no matter what school one attends. It is the largest "rip off" going. I will give AIU one thing, the books are current copyright and new. Not 5 years out of date like one B/M college I attended. As far as grants and Fin Asst. Well that is an application and up to the government. AIU cannot control that areana. As with my other post to you. AIU has been a good school and believe me I checked out many. Actually threw out a full Hefty bag of college material from other schools. If I would recommend any for distance I would choose 1) AIU 2) Judson College, Elgin IL 3) UoP 4) Charter Oak 5) University of Maryland University College 6) Mountain State University 7) American Military University (DETC not RA) 8) Excelsior 9) University of Wisconsin Online 10) University Alliance (St.Leo) also review Bears Guide. I talked with many and chose AIU do to my job demands and heavy travel load. Just my opinion, Good Luck
What I didn't like about AIU They wanted me to sign a contract for the entire MBA program. When I balked, they brought on the pressure tactics. First, the advisor (salesman) told me that wasn't what it said. When I read it back to him and assured him it said exactly that, he called in a supervisor. I explained my concerns to the boss as well. He, also, told me that the contract wasn't for the entire program. I disagreed and read the offending portion. "Well", he says, "we wouldn't hold you to that". How many times have you heard that before? I called Touro and got their program for 70% less because I was retired military. I would never go with any school that required you to sign a contract for the entire program up front.
Chris Touro, I see you give them high praise along with others on this board. Could you describe what a typical class process is like? I noticed you said "no books" Also, what is the minimum amount of credits that must be completed at the school? Nobycane seems to had a tough time. The same guy must now be an employee of UoP. It was a snotty advisor there which caused me to go to AIU. But again, all colleges are in the business of education. Heck, even Harvard will sell you a bill of goods when you call their extension school. In todays world with the advent of online learning a college is just about like a MBA grad. "A dime a dozen". They have to sell or starve esp. if they are not on the state pork barrel parade. The contract signed at AIU? One can cancel. Two weeks notice before your present class ends with no further sign on once your present class is complete. Will wait to hear from you Chris Thanks
Maybe he was right.... but any good financial advisor will tell you not to sign a contract for services which you may not need. If they really mean it they should change their contracts. However, I do understand their need to enroll serious students only. DL does have a very high dropout rate. Touro is very service oriented. I did have one snafu at the beginning of my program when the student aid person I was dealing with left for another position. The new one had a break in period and I received some bills for classes student aid was supposed to pay for. But they did not harrass me about the money and took care of the matter after only one email. I was on the 9 course MBA program, however, they now have an 11 course program which seems to hint they are going to apply for AACSB accreditation. Who knows, no one will admit to it at Touro. No books is much cheaper but it can be a hassle to study away from home. The lectures and readings come on a CD-ROM. As I travel for business a lot, I bought a laptop to use for my studies. This was an extra expense but it cost less than books and I now have a laptop which gets used by other people in the family. For study over lunch at work, I would just print out the readings and take them with me. Each class was broken down into 6 modules. The first 5 modules required an approximately 5 page paper review of the case. The longest I ever wrote was 7 and I finished with a 3.9 average. The GA's stress content not length and will not hesitate to point out you need more information/references for your opinions. You will adjust to their individual nuances after you get your first paper back. At the beginning of the course you would identify an organization to use as your session long project and you would have to right an average of a 3 (my longest was 5) page paper on the modules topic as it applied to that organization. Then there was the chat room where you discussed a topic pertinent to the module. I think they were each worth about 60%, 30%, and 10% respectively towards your final grade. Some classes and modules were more difficult than others. The last module required no papers. Hope this helps.
Hello, The recruitment tmethods you describe are unfortunatly typical of AIU as I have experienced them them myself. Fornately for them I researched there school thorughly before I enrolled and was actually impressed by there reputation. I f where to discrbe AIU I would discrbe it as just A really good place to get a excellent degree very fast meaning and move on ! Dont except anything but a good education including a land based graduation. But you will learn and retain more information thanyou would in a land based class and earn a degree you can be proud off. As for touro I have heard nothing but good things about this school and from my reasearch the classes and reputattion are stellar no complaints I have ever heard I would highly recommend this this school for mere fact of being more a personable institution compared to AIU and I love my school! I believe AIU has a better reputation only because it has been around longer and it is a accelerated program thus making it more demanding that a traditional program . (This by the way is probably the reason for the interview process if you dont have a lot lot of discipline you will tire of it quickly and quit . But this is the same for any real online program I Imagine. ) But either program you choose is going to provide you with an excellent degree that will help you advance your career! Good Luck Hope This helps!
