This is what's commonly called an exercise in futility.

[apocalypsos]

One of the things on my list of things I want to see about getting done and out of the way is ... well, college. So I just filled out information for the University of Phoenix to contact me back.

Of course, the big problem is ... well, what ISN'T the big problem? With my job, online classes are the only possible way I could do college again. Even if I did get another job, doing it online would probably be a better option than being in a classroom, especially considering what three years of college did to me. I wasn't ready for college, I said as much, and I still "had to go or you'll never go." In my first year I got a C, a D, and two Fs when I'd never before gotten anything lower than a B-. The next two years weren't any better.

So I don't even know how many credits really counted by the end, or remember much of what I learned (I block a lot of my college years for purely emotional reasons), and thanks to my ridiculous excuse of a credit rating and my inability to pay back any bill not keeping me fed, clothed and housed, there's no way I'll be able to afford classes unless they're giving away an education for free now. I think I recall work saying something about paying for college classes and if they do this might qualify, but then again God only knows if the plant's even going to be open in a year.

But at least I'm asking about it, I guess. Can't hurt, except when I see how much it would cost and remember how much fun it is scrimping just to keep myself fed.

*sigh*

Comments

[save-the-girl.livejournal.com]

I looked into Phoenix and it's pretty expensive. I don't remember exactly but I think it was something like $1,500 for one class? And the classes last five weeks and you have to be logged in for something like 15 or 24 hours a week (can't remember which, somewhere around there at least) or you'll get dropped from the program.

I was just looking into taking a few classes though, not a degree so it could be different.

Out of curiosity, what degree (or just classes) do you plan on taking?

[callmesyd.livejournal.com]

I hope you can find some way to work this out. Some brick-and-mortar colleges offer online courses these days, and in those cases, scholarships might be an option - worth looking into, at least, right?

I'm taking online high school classes with Ashworth University (jmhs.org), and GOD BLESS THEM, ZERO DEADLINES. Given my bouts with depression and migraines, the lack of pressure to get things done is so freakin' nice - and hey, fully accredited school, so college will be an option afterwards. I don't know if their college-level courses also have a lack of deadlines (one year to complete one class is the max for my courses), or what the college-level prices are, but there's a plan C for you. :>

[sizequeen.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't recommend the UoP. The claases are 9 weeks long,but it isinsanely expensive---$40,000 foradegree. you do not need that kind of debtfor the degree from so no-name online school. If i were you, I would go with an online school that's attached to a brick and mortar school. UoP is a waste of money. I would advise you not to attend ANY for=profit school, in fact. Go to state school and get the degree slowly at your own pace and on a budget.

[florahart]

There are distance ed options that are through your state's schools, which might be a better fit. Penn State has a fairly large distance ed program (including associate's degree options, which have the advantage of not expiring--once you have the AA/AS degree, you don't have to fret about whether the credits will still count in a couple years or whatever), but its tuition looks a little painful at ~$400 a credit. Indiana U of PA is cheaper, but with fewer options. There are lots of others in and not in your state, with a huge variety of what they do or don't offer.

My local community colleges, which I think I think you all call junior colleges and I think they are approximately the same? We have nothing here called a junior college, and the CCs offer associate's degrees and a fair amount of personal interest/technical/trades training stuff. Anyway. Mine has a decent distance ed program. What "distance ed" means varies--sometimes it means teleconferencing, sometimes really web-based, sometimes telecourses where you can tape and watch the lecture on TV or whatever...

google "distance education" and whatever towns you wanna look at; at least one local to you DOES have a program, but it may not be what you need. The reason you care about localness is mostly the in-state tuition.

[leelee-cakes.livejournal.com]

My Uni which is a fairly large one in Canada offers night and online courses, both of which I take purely for convience sake. What they are calling a 'bricks and mortar' school above would now offer way more options for you, I would guess. I know here that distance ed and night classes are really common. I mean, I'm taking Biology by distance-picked up my petris dishes today! Schools seem to be a lot more understanding about that nowadays.

Also, if going back makes you nervous or anxious, you could just take one class to start and go as fast or slow as you want. I think programs like UoP make you take a certain number of courses per semester.

[irishblessing.livejournal.com]

Look into other online universities. I started out at Kaplan University (my mom is still attending) and I'm starting October 1st at AI online. I've heard some really crappy things about UoP.

I can't gush enough about AIO. www.aionline.edu. It's worth a shot. They're about as expensive as a lot of universities out there, around 20k a year.

You can get financial aid, yeah?

[calligrafiti.livejournal.com]

Maybe you could apply for a staff position at a nearby college. The pay's rarely great, but usually the benefits are good, and they often offer free tuition and, depending on the position, flex time for classes.

[mona1347.livejournal.com]

The first thing you need to do is apply for federal student aid by filling out a FAFSA. Your credit rating may have little bearing on loans and they give out lots of grants too. The FAFSA is also the Philosopher's Stone of any private financial aid individual universities or other programs give out - they all use this form and the calculations based on it. THERE IS LOTS OF MONEY OUT THERE.

The fact that you are considered a "non-traditional student" actually works IN YOUR FAVOR and so many people don't know that and think they can't get aid if they aren't "college-aged". Also, the fact that you DON'T make a lot of money and support yourself (as opposed to young students who are considered dependent on their parents and therefore have to take parental income into account) will absolutely qualify you. More about eligibility

I don't have any opinion on UoP but I know that many state schools have online courses. There are LOTS of options, honey, it's a matter of slogging through all the gov't crap and looking into them. *hugs* I did this fin aid thing for four years and helped lots of grad students through it - let me know if you want to talk about it more or have questions.

[swingangel.livejournal.com]

I just pulled up the first community college in your state - no idea where they are in relation to you, but http://www.ccac.edu/default.aspx?id=139297 has some pretty good online only courses. I'd wager that some of the other community colleges have them too - grants are free and not dependant on your credit score.

It's at least a thought - I agree with everyone else that UoP is totally not the way to go. Way to expensive and not worth it.

[jedilora.livejournal.com]

::hugs:: I hear ya. I've been out of school for nearly two years, and I just moved into my own place, and I'm struggling with even the emotional thought of going back to school, let alone the financial. And I've got a decent deal on schooling thanks to some stocks I was given as a baby.

I'm looking at taking classes at UMass online next year. If I do, wanna be in class with me?