The Duggars and CollegePlus

[Westerner]

You have to take scheduled courses, from a school with Title IV federal student aid eligibility. These can be distance learning courses. Each of the Big Three, Liberty, and over 4,490 other two- and four-year colleges (2009-10 numbers) are eligible to award Pell Grants. The courses will have deadlines.

So you have 2 options:
1. CollegePlus and one of the Big 3. You pay for CP and the tests (though, as Cookderosa mentions, you can get creative and figure out ways to help pay) and your degree can take as little as 1 year and you can stay home throughout. More flexibility.
2. Community college. Pell Grant helps pay and you have to take 4 years or close to it because you have to take actual scheduled classes due to not enough CBEs accepted. Less flexibility.
It's up to people which one they choose. CP just fits better for some.

[topdog98]

It is the strong language that has caused this thread to be so long. If the original post said something like, "The service CP provides is unnecessary and too expensive," the overwhelming majority here would have nodded their heads and hit the like button.

Sentiments such as: I hate them; they are bad Christians; their customers are idiots - these have seriously offended their customers and even caused those of us who wouldn't normally endorse them to defend them. Why can't it be toned down a bit?

[Jonathan Whatley]

Well,

Pell Grant helps pay and you have to take 4 years or close to it because you have to take actual scheduled classes due to not enough CBEs accepted.

Pell Grants are available for scheduled courses from every Big Three school. There may be a minimum course load like 6 sh per semester. Even with this, and a CBE-heavy degree, this could help an eligible student to pay for the capstone, for instance, and one other course that term.

Further, Charter Oak at least is apparently great about assigning Pell and other federal financial aid onward to other schools through "consortium agreements." This way, a student enrolled at COSC can apply their aid to courses from other cooperating schools and transfer their courses back to COSC. These courses may be in subjects COSC doesn't offer in-house, they may have lower tuition rates than COSC, etc. rebel100 is the master of this approach.

Meanwhile, you're still at a Big Three school and you can accelerate as much as possible through CBE.

[Daithi]

Ok, I lied, I do have something to add.

What is it that CP provides their satisfied customers?

It seems to me that they do provide a service in which customers find value or they wouldn't be here defending them so passionately. I'm guessing that CP's customers speak with one of their "coaches" and the coach asks a variety of questions in regards to the customers goals, interests, and current educational background. Based on this information the coach provides recommendations to help the customer achieve their goals, and these recommendations truly would vary depending on the individual they are trying to assist.

I'm guessing that the coach would map out a degree plan for one or more of the Big 3 or other "partner" colleges. This degree plan would include a list of exactly which CBEs need to be taken in order to complete this degree plan, and it would try to tailor those CBEs, where possible, to ones the student was interested -- or at the very least provide a list of options from which the student could choose. The coach may also provide a list of study material the student could use to help them prepare for the specific CBEs. The coach would also point out trouble spots, such as recommending a student take certain science related courses at a brick 'n mortar school if the student wanted to get into Nursing school, because admissions departments would frown on using CBEs for core science classes.

In the case of homeschooled students the coach would provide information in regards to things like curriculum, transcripts, and taking advantage of dual-enrollment opportunities. The coach probably wouldn't know all the laws a homeschool student needs to follow in each state or community, but the coach could probably point customers in the right direction to find those answers. The coach might also provide advice on getting into a a major university if the student wanted to pursue a career in a STEM field, but could show the student how to use CBEs to cut time off of completing the traditional degree. The coach could also explain how CBEs could be used in a similar manner as AP tests to gain admissions into a major university.

The coach could also cover all the details regarding financial aid to which the student may be entitled. The coach could explain the rules regarding Pell Grants and how that fits in with the CBEs vs. traditional classes, and also explain things like Stafford loans. Additionally, the coach could cover the policies of its "partner" schools to better assist students in making a decision in regards to which school is best for their situation. (e.g. TESC up front costs vs. COSC lower costs but more stringent Upper Level course requirements.)

Coaches could also check on your progress as you work at completing your degree. Thus they would provide motivation. They also could alert customers to changes that would affect their customer's degree plan (e.g. new laws, or changes in policies in regards to things like MOOCs).

Obviously, I'm not a CP customer, so these are only my guesses as to services CP might be providing. Is this close? Are they providing other services I didn't consider? Am I giving them to much credit for services they provide?

Lastly, one of the aspects of CP that rubbed me the wrong way was that their site seemed to imply they were providing more than just advice and coaching. The impression I had from the website was that I would somehow be earning a degree through CollegePlus. Did any of CP's customers have that impression when they signed up? If so, did you feel like CP had not been honest with you?

[Westerner]

Well,

Pell Grants are available for scheduled courses from every Big Three school. There may be a minimum course load like 6 sh per semester. Even with this, and a CBE-heavy degree, this could help an eligible student to pay for the capstone, for instance, and one other course that term.

Further, Charter Oak at least is apparently great about assigning Pell and other federal financial aid onward to other schools through "consortium agreements." This way, a student enrolled at COSC can apply their aid to courses from other cooperating schools and transfer their courses back to COSC. These courses may be in subjects COSC doesn't offer in-house, they may have lower tuition rates than COSC, etc. rebel100 is the master of this approach.

Meanwhile, you're still at a Big Three school and you can accelerate as much as possible through CBE.

True; I know you can use the Pell Grant with the Big 3. I'm meaning to say that the CP+Big 3 approach may work better than the CC approach, for some.

[Westerner]

Ok, I lied, I do have something to add.

What is it that CP provides their satisfied customers?

It seems to me that they do provide a service in which customers find value or they wouldn't be here defending them so passionately. I'm guessing that CP's customers speak with one of their "coaches" and the coach asks a variety of questions in regards to the customers goals, interests, and current educational background. Based on this information the coach provides recommendations to help the customer achieve their goals, and these recommendations truly would vary depending on the individual they are trying to assist. True.

I'm guessing that the coach would map out a degree plan for one or more of the Big 3 or other "partner" colleges. This degree plan would include a list of exactly which CBEs need to be taken in order to complete this degree plan, and it would try to tailor those CBEs, where possible, to ones the student was interested -- or at the very least provide a list of options from which the student could choose. The coach may also provide a list of study material the student could use to help them prepare for the specific CBEs. The coach would also point out trouble spots, such as recommending a student take certain science related courses at a brick 'n mortar school if the student wanted to get into Nursing school, because admissions departments would frown on using CBEs for core science classes. True.

In the case of homeschooled students the coach would provide information in regards to things like curriculum, transcripts, and taking advantage of dual-enrollment opportunities. The coach probably wouldn't know all the laws a homeschool student needs to follow in each state or community, but the coach could probably point customers in the right direction to find those answers. The coach might also provide advice on getting into a a major university if the student wanted to pursue a career in a STEM field, but could show the student how to use CBEs to cut time off of completing the traditional degree. The coach could also explain how CBEs could be used in a similar manner as AP tests to gain admissions into a major university. True.

The coach could also cover all the details regarding financial aid to which the student may be entitled. The coach could explain the rules regarding Pell Grants and how that fits in with the CBEs vs. traditional classes, and also explain things like Stafford loans. Additionally, the coach could cover the policies of its "partner" schools to better assist students in making a decision in regards to which school is best for their situation. (e.g. TESC up front costs vs. COSC lower costs but more stringent Upper Level course requirements.)True, though CP primarily works with TESC, I'm guessing partly because it's the most flexible over all. Now it seems they have more partner colleges, so they offer more options for colleges to get your degree through.

Coaches could also check on your progress as you work at completing your degree. Thus they would provide motivation. They also could alert customers to changes that would affect their customer's degree plan (e.g. new laws, or changes in policies in regards to things like MOOCs). True.

Obviously, I'm not a CP customer, so these are only my guesses as to services CP might be providing. Is this close? Yes! Are they providing other services I didn't consider? The Learning Network—free flashcards + video explanations—for CLEPs, and the CollegePlus Forums. Am I giving them to much credit for services they provide? You got it pretty well.

Lastly, one of the aspects of CP that rubbed me the wrong way was that their site seemed to imply they were providing more than just advice and coaching. The impression I had from the website was that I would somehow be earning a degree through CollegePlus. Did any of CP's customers have that impression when they signed up? If so, did you feel like CP had not been honest with you? When we first heard about it, we were curious as to what exactly they did provide but the 2 things that stuck out out most to us were "fully accredited college degree" and "$15,000-$20,000 for the whole degree." We talked to representatives, coaches and students in person and to the Admissions Advisor on the phone to better understand everything. Seriously, nothing beats talking to people.

Does that help?

[sanantone]

With CBEs and the Big 3, you're able to save a lot of time, which is one advantage they have over CCs. What if that low-income family also prefers to earn a degree faster? (Like a lot of CPers do.) Couldn't be done with those CCs and 4-year colleges because of all the online classes required. Just trying to point out that CP is a most viable alternative for many.

Many families don't have the kind of money to pay CP. I don't know why that's so hard to understand.

I will not debate what the price is... and yes, we can do CP, because we lack in other areas... but, with this Pell Grant, don't you have to go to a campus for college? Are you able to have the flexibility and lack of deadlines that I have through CP?

No. You can attend college online. Shouldn't CP have explained this to you? You don't need CP to lack deadlines. The deadlines depend on the college you choose. There are self-paced options out there. CP customers who choose partner colleges other than TESC have to adhere to deadlines. Even TESC students who need to take the capstone and other courses at TESC have to be held to deadlines. I don't mean to offend, but it seems like you didn't do your homework before embarking on this journey and signing up with CP hasn't made you much more informed.

sanantone... don't think that you are converting me. I am just trying to probe into what you say...

Oo... and could you change the opening few sentences for this thread? They seem to get people off on the wrong note. It is rather severe, and insulting... especially if you are friends with CP workers and with Brad Voller (sp), and his friends...

Just thought that I should mention that, as it made me come in ready to spread flaming lead around.... (figure of speech... not literal.)

No.

So you have 2 options:
1. CollegePlus and one of the Big 3. You pay for CP and the tests (though, as Cookderosa mentions, you can get creative and figure out ways to help pay) and your degree can take as little as 1 year and you can stay home throughout. More flexibility.
2. Community college. Pell Grant helps pay and you have to take 4 years or close to it because you have to take actual scheduled classes due to not enough CBEs accepted. Less flexibility.
It's up to people which one they choose. CP just fits better for some.

Many people have no other option than to depend on grants and loans. $3,000 is a lot of money for a family that is financially struggling.

It is the strong language that has caused this thread to be so long. If the original post said something like, "The service CP provides is unnecessary and too expensive," the overwhelming majority here would have nodded their heads and hit the like button.

Sentiments such as: I hate them; they are bad Christians; their customers are idiots - these have seriously offended their customers and even caused those of us who wouldn't normally endorse them to defend them. Why can't it be toned down a bit?

You're putting words in my mouth and people are giving you likes for it? Wow.

[topdog98]

You're putting words in my mouth and people are giving you likes for it? Wow.

I am truly sorry if I misrepresented you.

[And thanks to Rebel's thread, I now know how to add quotes!]

[ncpenn]

It is the strong language that has caused this thread to be so long. If the original post said something like, "The service CP provides is unnecessary and too expensive," the overwhelming majority here would have nodded their heads and hit the like button.

Sentiments such as: I hate them; they are bad Christians; their customers are idiots - these have seriously offended their customers and even caused those of us who wouldn't normally endorse them to defend them. Why can't it be toned down a bit?

Yes. This is exactly right. I'm not a CP supporter, but the initial post was over the top.

[sanantone]

Yes. This is exactly right. I'm not a CP supporter, but the initial post was over the top.

How is that exactly right? Where did I call CP customers idiots? Find the post if it exists.