Articles regarding a former student suing school over accreditation

Getting what you pay for

>>I paid 30,000 for my AAS and another 13k for my BA.

Was it worth all that money? Yes. Why? Because I have a learning disability. I got the indivualized help I needed from the teachers, along with hands on training that helped me learn what I needed to do. I didn't get any of that type of attention from ANY RA school I attended. So yeah, to me the money I spent was worth it. <<

I don't believe anyone is arguing over whether more means better. It obviously does in some cases. I work at a private college and can tell you that the International Design Institute (nonaccredited) offers a certificate in graphic design every bit as good as our 4-year BA at about 1/2 the cost.

The original question was one of making sure what you buy is what you want and worth the price you are paying. You obviously did your homework and knew the school you choose was what would work best for you. The lady didn't do that.

 

Beer, of course.

Oh, wait FMU is a commuter school, shoots that down.

I believe she took out 37K in student loans.

I am sure there were some incidentals, but she probably blew the rest on junk. However, they do have online courses so maybe she bought a laptop or something.

Still 37K for an AA. My ASN was about $2050, but that was in '83.

 

I don't know...

but your figures for books may be a little low. I paid $543 dollars for books for my 2nd daughter last semester and that was after she was able to borrow the books for one of her classes. That was at the bookstore on campus where it is consistently cheaper than B&N and Amazon for new books. I saw a biology book the other day that cost $210! I just spent $120 on a Regional Economics book for myself (it's not even a textbook!). And to think, I complained about a book in my undergrad that cost $35!!!!

I tend to agree that she did take out some extra as you get loans based on the schools cost of attendance which includes expenses. However, she probably spent close to $30,000 for school alone. That number jives with what mringer spent and these schools tend to keep their prices close to compete.

 

To think that I was crying over 60-70 dollars for books to be spent at A&M. Remember though, those are half.com prices for books for the historiography class. You can find good deals on books there. www.libris.com is great too. As to the lady from FMU, I would have ask more questions. I would have investigated further before enrolling. This is my IMHO.

 

Cheap books

For cheap books also check addall.com. They list all the used bookstores and prices.

 

I hope the young lady wins her case.

Any administration always needs to be reminded that their power is not above questioning or, dictatorially absolute.

There must be a lot of eyes peering nervously out of the foilage of the tree about to be shaken. This includes the bureaucratic denizens situated snugly under their rocks who know an investigation will attract light, scrutiny, and criticism.

More power to the honest and hardworking fee paying students.

 

Re: Getting what you pay for

Most likely she didn't I went to several tech schools before deciding on ITT. I know that ITT gets a bad rap from some people, and I wasn't overly fond of 2 of my 4 instructors for my BA degree but the degree helped me get a two different interviews at Dell, one at XO communications and another interview with some financial firm (doing IT work.) I have to admit the price was high but before the tech market crashed it was well worth the money spent. Now if I could find a rich relative to pay it off for me

 

It blows me away that, of the two big NA accreditors, ACCIS schools offering Bachelors and Masters programs are so incredibly expensive compared to DETC schools offering similar degrees. How on earth do schools like ITT and FMU remain competative? Is it all marketing?

 

FMU

I attended Tampa College (Now FMU) in the early 70's, under an Army tuition program. It was very inexpensive then and is a B&M school with several satellite campuses. I think that if someone were to examine the whole story, the student was either extremely naive, has a history of failing to pay her bills, continues to take failed courses, or too ignorant to question why she didn't attend USF or Tampa U., if she could get in.
I cannot understand how people are allowed to obtain loans they will never pay back. We (taxpayers) end up on the short end of the stick. I know ignorance of the law is not a valid denfense. Is ignorance itself a valid defense?

 

That's ridiculous, my degrees from Northern Va Community College cost $3000 total w/ books....

 

FMU

What's ridiculous, my post, or the fact that the student paid enough for a four year degree to get an AA? To think the student is free of responsibility is absurd. Explain please.

 

FMU

Had campuses, but no dorms. I don't know how they compete with other schools either. It' just too easy to get a loan. My son has a mortgage company. He would go out of business if he loaned money to anyone walking in the door. He stays away from questionable loans and does well enough. Greed is rampant and accepted today. The concepts of honor and morality are quickly disappearing. I'm saddened and embarrassed that I had little impact, outside my immediate area, and can only hope humanity will survive itself long enough for me to payoff my Porsche.