Site Offers its First Discount on College Tuition

Groupon keeps reminding me about two purchases I’ve made – two-for-one movie tickets from Fandango and a half-off deal for a photo album that I haven’t gotten around to creating. It’s also helped me take part in unique events, such as a barbecue lunch with the Neelys from Food Network and a symphony performance under the stars.

The other day, a Groupon deal showed me that the trendy site has the potential to remind some folks of their dream to finish their degree or go back to school to pursue a new career or get advanced education.

Groupon was offering more than 50 percent off a $2,232 graduate-level introductory teaching course at National Louis University in Chicago (the Groupon price was $950).

Surprise – a school actually lowered a price for students! In these days of bargain hunting and discount seeking, it seems that a college education is one of the few places where individuals seem resigned to pay higher and higher prices. I’ve seen friends invest in starting a master’s degree, only to find they can’t afford to continue the program or can’t juggle it with jobs and family (and refunds aren’t available for those courses).

The idea of purchasing something like education on Groupon may be a bit “out there,” and maybe the school only did it for publicity, but it is refreshing to see a school willing and able to lower its price on a course.

It got a lot of attention because it’s the first time the “deal is on” coupon site has offered a deal on tuition that counts for academic credit. The school says 18 individuals purchased the Groupon.

Dr. Nivine Megahed, president of National Louis University, said in a press release: “This deal will give participating students a chance to take one course and see if they are ready to make the time and financial commitment to follow through with the entire graduate program.”

Students need an undergraduate degree to be involved in the 10-week course, which counts toward three credit hours, of a 36-hour master’s degree from the school.

University officials told the AP that many of its students – the average age is 34 – are part of Groupon’s target demographics. So adult learners could be seeing more of this, via Groupon, or from other coupon sites. It could be a bonus for students already in pursuit of a certain degree, or it could be just the thing, even if you don’t get that deal, to make you reconsider college.

What do you think? Would you ever buy a Groupon for school?

-Lori Johnston

It’s so hard to tell what’s for real these days. If you’re going to spend money on a diamond, you want to make sure you don’t leave the store with cubic zirconia. If you’re purchasing a rare autograph, you don’t want to drop cash for a fraud. And if you’re paying good money for a college education, it’s important that it be worth more than the paper your diploma is printed on. So how do you know if your school is the real deal and not a diploma mill? Here are a few red flags to look out for.

>> It’s not accredited. In the U.S., accreditation is the main way we can tell that a school or program is up to snuff. Accreditation basically means the school or program has completed a rigorous process of self-examination and peer review. If the school you’re attending hasn’t been accredited, that means there’s no authority figure double-checking the quality of the education you’re getting. You’re basically out there on your own – and the neighborhood may not be the greatest. (Note: Just because a school is not accredited does not mean the school is a diploma mill. There are legitimate institutions out there that are not accredited, or are not yet accredited – just be very careful if you go this route. No accreditation means no federal or state financial aid, among other things.)

>> It’s accredited by an unrecognized (or even fake) accrediting agency. Unless you’re paying really close attention, you probably have no idea which accrediting agencies are legit and which ones are counterfeit. There’s an easy way to tell which ones are on the up and up – just check this list of organizations that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If your school is accredited by an organization that’s not on this list – or worse, one that has an eerily similar name – the accreditation might be meaningless.

>> It’s accredited by a foreign accrediting agency. USDE and CHEA do not recognize foreign accrediting agencies, so if your school’s endorsement comes from Dubai Degrees R Us, beware. A foreign diploma mill might claim to be operating under the approval of the education ministry of its country when in fact it has never been officially reviewed or sanctioned. You don’t have to stay in the U.S. to get a nationally recognized degree, though – approved accrediting agencies (like AACSB International –The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accredit foreign institutions, too.

There are other ways to spot a diploma mill – degrees based on life experience, super-short programs, flat-fee degrees – but lack of proper accreditation is a solid indicator that something is amiss or that you need to tread very carefully. You can go the unaccredited route if you really want to, but there’s a lot at stake: financial aid, academic credit transfer, tuition assistance from your employer, eligibility to apply for professional licensure… Why not save yourself the headache (and wasted time and money) by choosing a properly accredited program from the get-go?

-Robyn Tellefsen

Applying to college is not a one-size-fits-all-experience… and when you don’t fit the mold of the traditional 18-year-old college student, that’s a good thing. Whether you’re in your 20s or you’re approaching centenarian status, chances are that traditional college admissions policies and procedures don’t apply to you. Before you get started on your back-to-school journey, check out our cheat sheet of top nontraditional student application to-knows.

1. You can apply on a roll…
If you haven’t had the luxury of planning your college applications for years, you’ll be happy to learn that many programs for nontraditional students accept applications up to and even after the semester start date. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of rolling admissions policies or even “one-stop” admissions events that allow you to apply and enroll on the same day.

2. Entrance exams may be extinct.
Many colleges do not require adult students to take traditional entrance exams like the SAT or ACT, says Shawn O’Riley, executive director of University College at Adelphi University. “Those exams are meant for high school students and don’t always reflect adults’ academic ability after they have been away from school for a long time.” Some adult degree programs measure college preparedness through computer-adaptive college placement tests (e.g., COMPASS by ACT; ACCUPLACER by the College Board) that are geared specifically toward nontraditional students.

3. You can get $$$ from Uncle Sam.
Even if you’re going back to school less than half time, you may still qualify for a Pell Grant or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or for the Federal Work Study or Federal Perkins Loan programs. You may also be able to benefit from employer tuition assistance if you’re working full time. Tip: If you’re married or over 24 years old, parental income won’t be a factor on your FAFSA.

4. Start dates may be flexible.
“Adult degree programs often offer schedules that better fit an adult student’s lifestyle,” says O’Riley. Nontraditional students at Adelphi who are unable to enroll in August can take advantage of the university’s late-start semester, which begins in October. Community colleges across the country offer similar kinds of late-start courses.

5. The Ivies are not out of reach.
Take the Eli Whitney Students Program at Yale, for example. Eli Whitney (i.e., nontraditional) students have virtually the same opportunities as all other undergrads at Yale but, unlike other Yalies, nontraditional students can choose to school part time. And Columbia University’s School of General Studies is designed specifically for nontraditional students seeking a rigorous Ivy League degree full or part time.

6. You can get credit for what you already know.
Plenty of schools that cater to adult students offer prior learning assessment programs that award college credit for what students have learned outside the classroom, whether through corporate training, work experience, civic activity, or independent study. “[Prior learning assessment] allows students to reduce the overall cost of their degree program and accelerate their degree completion,” says O’Riley. In addition, your school may have special policies in place to assist nontraditional students in transferring previously earned college credit.

7. You might be more traditional than you think.
Colleges and universities may differ in their definition of what constitutes a “nontraditional student,” though most require that you be out of high school or college for at least five years to apply for nontraditional student admission. The University of Utah considers “nontraditional students” those who have been out of high school seven years or more and have no previous college experience. Some schools, like Trinity University in Texas, recommend that nontraditional students apply after completing at least two semesters of full-time studies at another college. Make sure you meet the specific “nontraditional” definition before applying to a particular school.

Enjoy your academic adventure!

–Robyn Tellefsen

According to the AARP, women are less likely to have enough money in the second half of their lives because of lower earnings and different work patterns (Translation: staying home with the kids). Another report states that 8.1 percent of women are currently unemployed. But there’s good news – a variety of organizations are making it a priority to support older women in their career and education pursuits. Here are a few:

Send One Suit Weekend
Dressbarn, a leading national retailer of women’s clothing, is teaming up with the nonprofit organization Dress for Success and its partners for its 9th annual Send One Suit Weekend. The goal? To give underprivileged women across the country the ability to walk into a job interview with confidence through the transformative power of professional attire. Through the campaign, low-income women looking to re-enter the workforce benefit from donations of gently used suits, pants, shirts, skirts, shoes, and other professional items.
Learn more: http://www.dressforsuccess.org/supportdfs_SOSweekend.aspx
Dates: February 24-27, 2011

Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation awards scholarships to low-income women 35 and older in order to help them secure careers and break the cycle of poverty. Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited school where they will pursue a technical or vocational education, an associate degree, or a first bachelor’s degree. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of their goals, their plan for reaching those goals, challenges they may have faced, and their financial situation.
Download an application: http://www.rankinfoundation.org/
Scholarship deadline: March 1, 2011

AARP Women’s Scholarship Program
AARP Foundation’s Women’s Scholarship Program provides scholarship funds to women 40 and older who have limited financial resources and who are seeking new job skills, training, and educational opportunities. Awards range from $500 to $5,000, depending on financial need and the cost of the education or training program. Scholarship winners also receive mentoring services during their first year of school. All recipients must be enrolled in an accredited school or technical program within six months of receiving the award. Previous recipients may reapply fora second year of assistance.
Apply online: http://www.aarp.org/womensscholarship
Scholarship deadline: March 31, 2011

AAUW Career Development Grants
The American Association of University Women’s Career Development Grants support women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance their careers, change careers, or re-enter the work force. These one-time awards range from $2,000 to $12,000. Special consideration is given to women of color and to women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Grants provide support for course work in a master’s degree or second bachelor’s degree program – no PhDs – or for specialized training in technical or professional fields. Funds are available for distance learning as well.
Apply online: http://www.aauw.org/learn/fellowships_grants/career_development.cfm
Annual scholarship deadline: Mid-December

Talbots Women’s Scholarships
The Talbots Charitable Foundation offers its scholarship program to women pursuing a college degree later in life, awarding 10 $15,000 scholarships and one $30,000 Nancy Talbot Scholarship Award. To be considered for an award, you must have earned a high school diploma or GED at least 10 years prior to application. You must also be enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate course of study for the full upcoming academic year. Scholarship winners also receive gift cards from Talbots, Borders, and Office Depot, as well as a backpack filled with Office Depot supplies, and the Reinvention Resumé Plus eKit, a step-by-step tool to develop resumés and cover letters.
Get more info: www.talbots.com/scholarship
Annual scholarship deadline: Mid-January

It’s never too late to get back in the career saddle, ladies!

-Robyn Tellefsen

How long has the back-to-school dream been on the back burner of your brain? My husband, for one, has been talking about getting his Ph.D. for the last 10 years, and I’m still thinking about pursuing a master’s degree. What’s stopping us from achieving our goals? What’s stopping you?

Check out some of the most common reasons why people put their school dreams on hold, and see if you can relate:

“I can’t afford it.”
Ever heard of scholarships, loans, tuition assistance and reimbursement, and tax credits? All of these can help you foot your education bill. Plus, with the help of higher education, you may qualify for a better position with higher pay and get a quick return on your investment.

“I need to be home to watch my kids/parents/dogs.”
This is where a little thing called online education comes in handy. When you enroll in online courses, you never even have to leave your house.

“I’m not up-to-date on the latest technology.”
It’s true that the last 10 years have brought about a lot of changes in educational media – laptops, smart phones, podcasts… But most schools offer introductory technology and refresher courses to bring you up to speed on the digital age.

“I’m too old.”
Haven’t you heard about the 80- and 90-year-olds who are earning their degrees? If they can do it, so can you.

“I don’t remember how to study.”
Today’s colleges offer oodles of student services, including tutoring, study skills, and time management. Even if you never knew how to study in the first place, it’s not too late to lay a new education foundation.

“I don’t want to go to school with teenagers.”
Neither do I. Fortunately, we don’t have to. With so many working adults going back to school these days, you don’t have to worry about being in the minority in terms of your age and your motivation. We’ll be in it together.

“I don’t want to miss time with my family.”
It’s a fact: your commitment to school will take time away from your family. But quality time trumps quantity, doesn’t it? And as you work hard to achieve your goals, you’ll be teaching invaluable life lessons to your kids.

“I don’t have the time.”
Have you ever noticed that the more deadlines you have in a given day, the more you get done? When you have a lot to do, you find a way to make every minute count. And once you make it through a semester, you’ll wonder what you ever did with your time before.

“I’m afraid I won’t succeed.”
You’re not the only one. It’s normal to fear failure, to fear the unknown. But if you don’t try, you’ll never find out how much you can accomplish when you work hard and commit to achieving your goals. And if you do fall on your face, remember that you’re a big girl (or boy) – you can get up and give it another go.

Are you out of excuses yet? I am…

-Robyn Tellefsen

If Oscar nominee Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Julia Child in “Julie and Julia” has you considering the culinary industry or if you’re already pursuing a degree in this field, then you may be hungry for news of scholarships.

Check this out: The Culinary Trust, philanthropic partner of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, is offering 24 scholarships valued at nearly $150,000 for the 2010-2011 academic year. It is accepting scholarship applications for formal culinary education and independent study and research, through March 1.

Donors include top culinary institutes such as Le Cordon Bleu campuses around the world, The Culinary Institute of America, The Institute of Culinary Education, and The Italian Culinary Academy.

The qualifications include: merit, culinary goals, skills, and references.

So what else do you need to know?

• The scholarships are for those seeking vocational, associate or bachelor’s degrees.
• You don’t need food service experience unless that’s required for admission to the program, if pursuing those degrees.
• If you’re pursuing a continuing education and advanced degree scholarship, you need two years of industry experience.
• You will need to write a two-page essay with your culinary goals.
• You must have a 3.0 GPA or higher

So do what Julia Child did and be fearless – pursue these and other scholarships and you could find the financial stress of school could be taken away. And that could be a recipe for a successful career.

Bon appetit!

-Lori Johnston

Ask most adults who are thinking of going back to school what their biggest obstacle is, and chances are most of them will tell you it’s the cost. Understandably so — tuition is expensive! And, often,  students who are going back to school are doing so at their own expense, and with the hopes that a degree will lead to better income opportunities. In short, it’s an investment, and with investments come risk.

This notion was the inspiration behind CollegeSurfing.com’s new resource section that focuses on the costs of various degree programs. You can read specifically about tuition and fees by career field or academic discipline, from nursing degrees and culinary arts training to master’s degree programs.

If you’re thinking of investing in your education in 2010, be sure to take a peek at what it’ll cost you, and whether or not you can expect financial aid help.

Are there any degree programs not included that you’d like to know more about? Let us know, and we’ll get to work on it. Good luck!

Deciding to go to college later in life can be a little bit easier, if you live in a place where the state or university may waive your tuition.

The American Council of Education found that about 60 percent of accredited degree-granting educational institutions offer tuition waivers for older adults, according to its November 2008 survey.

For example, the University of Delaware offers tuition-free classes for credit if students are 60 or older (although fees are still charged). The University of Arkansas is doing the same.

Some states have free tuition programs, too, although you need to check with your state because some have changed their plans (North Carolina, for example, ended its tuition waiver policy last year).

Alabama’s Senior Adults Scholarship Program offers free tuition to those aged 60 and over who meet admission requirements to attend public two-year colleges in the state.

FinAid.org reports that these states offer tuition waivers at public institutions: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

There is a catch – it often depends on which school, courses and degree program you are pursuing and if there’s space available for a non-paying student.

It’s also interesting to see some states and organizations trying to make it easier for older students to learn about higher education.

Here are a couple of relatively new efforts to keep in mind:

• Oregon’s Adult Learner Web site offers resources about financial aid and a toll-free number for folks to call with questions.
• Today’s GI Bill also provides the scoop on benefits and success stories of veterans who have earned their degrees.

Let us know if you qualify for any of the free tuition programs, and how it’s helping your wallet. Happy tuition-free learning!

-Lori Johnston

We’re hearing about so many great things people are doing to raise and give money to the relief efforts in Haiti, even on college campuses. It’s a tragic situation and major organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are among those giving millions to the effort.

It makes you stop and take notice of all the foundation is doing beyond aiding a world tragedy. Did you know that foundation also is donating billions of dollars to help students attend and graduate from college, particularly community colleges? It’s already given nearly $4 billion in grants and scholarships since 2000.

The foundation a couple of years ago decided to award hundreds of millions of dollars through scholarships and other efforts so low-income young adults in particularly can attend college, and much of these funds are going to community colleges.

And just in December, the Seattle-based foundation gave $12.9 million in technology-related grants to improve the way education is delivered on the community college level and increase graduation rates. Schools that have received those grants include LaGuardia Community College in New York, and Carnegie Mellon University’s Community College Open Learning Initiative (CC-OLI).

It hopes to change the statistic that found three-quarters of first-time community college students do not graduate within three years. Why? Factors include school and family responsibilities, being unprepared for college-level work, and the cost of the courses and degrees.

Seeing the Gates Foundation’s efforts, even if you aren’t directly receiving the money, serves as a great reminder that people, even strangers, care that you get a degree. Now that’s an incentive!

-Lori Johnston