What would you do?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by avia93, Mar 9, 2005.

Loading...
  1. avia93

    avia93 New Member

    Hi,

    I have visited this message board many times and have gotten great advice. Now, I need some more advice concern Northcentral University. It seems the school got rid of there title IV student loans option in the middle of the semester. The students were not given any prior notice before enrolling into this semester. They just cut the program off overnight and that worries me. I don't know if I want to invest in an online university that makes such serious choices that suddenly fast.

    What if I start paying by month out of my own pocket and another quick choice is made to appease another new issue. For example, they close down the school because it is not making enough money in the middle of a semester. I love being at NCU and want to stay but is dishearten about how they treated the student loaners.

    Would you stay at a school that made such a huge decision overnight?
     
  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Do you need student loans?

    Can you find alternative sources of funding?

    Can you transfer?

    It seems odd for a school to do this without notice.

    Union Institute students saw their loan approval withheld while Union put together a better means of accounting for learner progress, but it was a temporary delay. Learners were still allowed to continue pending their funds' release. Everyone anticipated that loan approval would be restored (which it was).

    If true, how can NCU leave such students in a lurch? Many might have to drop out. Graduate students forced to transfer will be able to move very few credits into other programs.

    Consider other, non-Stafford loan programs. (Sallie Mae?) Most of all, talk to NCU. Get the story and your alternatives.
     
  3. avia93

    avia93 New Member

    Thanks for the adivce

    Hi,

    I was told that I have the option to make monthly payments of $475 over six months. I will probaly take this option only if I can assure my self that the school won't do something so rash again. I know of alot of students of NCU who were already a year into there programs and now will have to look for another school because they can't get sallie mae some can't even get refunds. The only people not suffering in this whole ordeal is the once who paid by cash from the very frist start.
     
  4. DesElms

    DesElms New Member

    I'd also be exploring options with my attorney... but that's just me.
     
  5. JoAnnP38

    JoAnnP38 Member

    As someone who often crafts volumey posts, I just assumed you were a lawyer. ;)
     
  6. avia93

    avia93 New Member

    I know some people who or already thinking about that option. Luckly, I was just one semester into my program before getting much further. I'm suprised not alot of people have respond to this post. I remember not to long a ago that Northcentral was a hot topic after it recieved it's accrediation. There was alot of people who claimed it was nothing more then a degree mill. I don't believe NCU is any shape or form a degree mill; but, when it comes to putting students first it only puts the out of pocket cash paying ones.
     
  7. Hille

    Hille Active Member

    Another idea

    Good Morning, I would contact my local senators office by e-mail and phone and express concerns about the legal status of your schools' decision. This will be a no cost option and may have quicker results. Hille
     
  8. carlosb

    carlosb New Member

    I am not yet a student at NCU and yet I knew months ago that the Title IV was part of a Demonstration Program

    It took a whole ten minutes of Internet research to find this out.

    Much like negotiations that occur in the real world I would guess that NCU was in negotiations with ED up to the last minute. Perhaps ED was under pressure to rescind the waiver granted NCU from the 50 % rule. Or maybe they wanted more than NCU was willing to go.

    Distance Education Demonstration Program

    http://www.ed.gov/programs/disted/desc-northcentral.html

    The fact that a number of schools discontinued their participation including FSU would be a warning in itself!


    NCU is recently RA, 100% DL and in a TEST program. Ten minutes of Internet research would have found this information.

    Why are students pursuing research-oriented degrees so surprised?


    Just my opinion
     
  9. avia93

    avia93 New Member

    Re: Re: What would you do?

    Hmm... I don't know if to laugh or cry at your statement. I did what any online student would normally do in checking out a new school.

    1) Checked there regional status
    2) talked to students in the program
    3) checked to see if they offered financial aid

    Never, once did NCU mention they were in a test program to me. Hell, I doubt any average online student would know to look and see if there online college is part of a FASA test program.

    The point is NCU had the duty to notify the students who were enrolling in there school with the objective of seeking FASA aid that they were only in a test program. They let down allot of students and destroyed some people dreams. There were even people that emailed me from NCU talking about suicide! Imagine a person with huge student loan debt close to finishing there doctor program. Only to find out your school was in test program and has pulled the plug on the only aid you can use. Yes, NCU should have told these students the truth in the very beginning.

    There are already a massive number of them in the works of try to sue the college. I for one don't plan on sue NCU but that’s because I didn't loose thousands of dollars like so many others.
    :(
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 10, 2005
  10. Tireman44

    Tireman44 member

    Fellow Board Members,

    My wife will be starting at NCU April 1. When we found out that NCU was no longer participating in FSFA program, her remark was, ok what are our options on financing. If the dream is there, you do make it happen. For example, I am a doctoral student at the University of Houston. My bill for my one class is 1002.00 dollars. This is IN STATE tuition. Her bill for one class is 1450.00. I teach at Devry to continue to go to school. Fortunately for me, UH has a program where you can break up the tuition into payments. It worked for my wife's MA studies at UH/Victoria and it is working for me at UH/Central Campus. You make due no matter how it takes. If there are payment options, examine them. If there are financing options, examine them. It is in all how you look at it. If you have the dream, nothing and I mean nothing will detour you. Just my 22 cents. By the way, I am not elgible for financial aid from UH because as a doctoral student, you have to take 6 hours.
     
  11. BinkWile

    BinkWile New Member

    Yes, I'm not at all happy with this either.

    I have no problems with NCU's situation. It's understandable, and acceptable under the conditions.

    However, NCU basically lied to everyone, by saying that it chose to pull from Title IV, they never said that it was a pilot program, and they gave no warning to current or prospective students.

    I decided to go to NCU due to its RA status, and was cheaper than TUI. I also have the GI BIll, which is good, but I am furious at how this will hurt my fellow learners.

    A university is dependent on its alumni and current students to have a good image. If they don't want to turn into a black spot in the world of education and DL, they need to take action fast.

    I am amazed and disheartened.
     
  12. Tireman44

    Tireman44 member

    Binky,

    I agree 100 percent. It will leave many in a lurch. When you are an up and coming school trying to fill your niche, this is what you dont need.
     
  13. Tireman44

    Tireman44 member

    Binky,

    One last thing. Is this going to give you , my wife and Randell more flexibility in course completing? For example, if one could take 3 to 4 courses a semester and finish them before the 16 weeks, then journey that would take 3 to 4 years could be whittled down to 2.5, right? Is this what they are trying to accomplish?
     
  14. BrianH

    BrianH Member

    There are dreams and there is reality Tireman. People do explore options but if non-federal finanical aid is not an option and you cannot afford the payment options....
    You make a statement like you have any clue about what someone's situation is like.....
    I cannot go to a school that does not offer federal finanical aid..

    I can:
    go to another school to pursue your degree that does offer federal finanical aid, go to the only doctoral program that you can afford out of pocket(hello UNISA) or postpone your dreams.

    I do not post flames, usually, but I get sick of people thinking that attitude and positive thinking solves all problems(yeah you too Robert Schuller!!) :)
    BH
     
  15. Tireman44

    Tireman44 member

    Brian H


    You inferred that from my post. You got me wrong. I never inferred that . I have a bill of 35k on my school loans. I am not saying that I am applying that to everyone. Everyone is different. I am telling YOU WHAT I DID AND DO. It is not for everyone. I am a teacher. I tell my students to strive for everything they can. DO NOT GIVE UP. I worked 60 hours a week to pay my way through NCWC and NCCU. I wanted it that bad. Thank you for allowing me to post my 34 cents. Imagine if I were at Avis and thinking, you know what, I am just going to give up. I will clean cars all my life. This is with a MA in history. That is right Brian H. With a MA in history I worked at Lubys and Firestone. But I kept my dream alive. The power of positive thinking. Gosh, it works. I will continue to tell my students to strive for the best. You can always look at financing options. ALWAYS. I dont live in your shoes and you must do what is best for you. I dont claim to know everything. I dont claim to have all the answers. Each person is different. Each situation is different. As Bruce Williams states on his show on Talknet, I am an expert on my opinion. That all it is.
     
  16. BrianH

    BrianH Member

    Okay Tireman,
    It was all the use of the word "you" that made me think you were talking to other people, and not just talking about yourself.
    BH
     
  17. Tireman44

    Tireman44 member

    Thank you .
     
  18. carlosb

    carlosb New Member

    What a great attitude! I too have the confidence in myself to see things through when the going gets tough.

    What gets me is many of these people that are panicking are in degree programs designed for senior management or education.

    Is this how they handle stress? If so, a quote from a real stressful situation:

    Houston, we have a problem!

    Just my opinion
     
  19. Tireman44

    Tireman44 member

    Great one Carlos

    You know I work at NASA, right? Thanks for that one. Unfortunately I not like everyone. I knew that I wanted my PhD in history by the time I was 13. That is scary. The plan was for me to get a double major in meteorology and history and then get my MA and PhD in history while working in the weather field. Oh well. I am in history field.
     
  20. BrianH

    BrianH Member

    Someday..I hope to be as calm in a stressful situation and as research savy as carlosb, and then, I want to share that with people when they are disapointed and angry. I know if i dream it.....it can happen.
    Just my opinion as well.
    BH
     

Share This Page