Wowzers... APU transcript fees

I don't know if anyone else caught this, but I logged on to the APU campus yesterday to see about ordering a transcript. They've changed their fees and policies regarding transcripts. Now a good old fashioned paper transcript is $20! An electronic one is $10 and an unofficial one is $5.

I'm curious why they've moved towards these high fees when other schools, like Walden and UoP offer free transcripts.

-Matt

 

That's quite steep considering the fact that all they have to do is click print and stick it in an envelope. I just ordered transcripts from some of my alma maters and the fee was $10 for a paper transcript. Even that's high considering the fact that I paid many thousands of dollars to attend the classes. I would think the transcripts should be free.

 

On the other hand for $50 AMU/APU will contact all your previous schools and obtain transcripts for you; a good deal if you have credits from many colleges but not so good if you only attended a few colleges. If your time is valuable then it also saves the effort of requesting transcrtipts yourself.

 

Getting transcripts turned out to be a fairly tedious process this time for me. I would have gladly payed the $50 and used that time and effort on more productive pursuits. I spent close to that much anyway getting transcripts sent at $10 a pop.

 

Penn State charges me $8 per transcript so I don't think $20 is totally out of hand.

 

I've been able to order my transcripts from here:

http://www.studentclearinghouse.org/

Relatively inexpensive and they have multiple delivery options, priced accordingly.

 

I guess I was just spoiled. My undergrad school always had free transcripts, and so does Walden. Then UoP became free. I just think it's a bit much for asking someone to simply click print. Unless there's some super secret process I don't know about.

-Matt

 

How did you like Walden? I was very close to going there for an EdD.

 

Yep, noticed that too. I called the University of Illinois, Springfield and they will not except an electronic transcript from AMU, so I had to pony up the 20 bones. I attended Webster for about 3 terms and the transcripts from them are free, even official ones. My transcripts for my two associates degrees are $5.00 and free. I like free.

 

Kevin,

Going direct to the university registrar with transcript requests can be cheaper or at no charge. For instance as a former student at Abilene Christian and Prairie View A&M – there is no charge for official transcripts (up to 5-copies per request). On the other hand, I did order a transcript from Tarleton State University back in Dec. and there were no university charges for transcripts; however, all Tarleton State transcript requests are sent through National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) with a $2 per transcript administrative fee (that’s still $3 less than requesting transcripts directly from NSCH at $5 per copy. But for instance it’s actually 50% ($5 vs. $10) less ordering a transcript through NSC for City University /City University of Seattle vs. ordering directly from the registrar’s office – go figure. And Sam Houston State is still $5 per transcript either way (?). Nonetheless, IMO current or former students shouldn’t be additionally charged for their official academic records.

 

I loved my Walden program. It was the third education program I tried, and I thought it was good enough to finish. And I'm saying that after comparing it to another leading online school, UoP, and a brick and mortar school with a DL program, Virginia Tech.

Walden has an EdS in administration now, which I was interested in, but even after the alumni discount, it's still thousands more expensive than local DL options. If I had money to blow, I'd definitely do it though. If I ever do start and finish an admin program, I'd definitely consider a Walden PhD.

-Matt