Bad News--Excelsior Unofficial Evaluation

[barcotta]

Thank you guys for responding to my post.

Based on what Peace123 stated, I may have just misread the evaluation (not my fault because the eval is confusing). The breakdown should be as follows:

- 6 credits General Education (6)
- 9 credits in Natural Science Math or 3 in Humanities+6 in Math (9)
- 3 credits for Written English Requirement (3)

FOR A TOTAL OF 18...which is what I said I only needed in the beginning.

[FONT=Book Antiqua][SIZE=3]What threw me off was the Applied Professional or Arts & Sciences saying that I needed 13 credits (technically 12 because I've already taken Info Lit).

That's not what I understand from the reply from Peace123. Despite being an Excelsior grad, it still takes some effort on my part to interpret their categorizations. However, I did not experience anywhere near the angst you have. When I didn't understand exactly how to interpret my evaluation, I just called and asked. I did NOT assume the worst (they didn't take all the credit I thought they would!) and then proceed to play out all of the worst case scenarios as my anger and frustration grew to epic proportions! Why do you do that to yourself???? You're going to needlessly shorten your lifespan and spend that which remains frustrated and angry!

Now, I know you were writing for help with interpretatation, but I'm going to insert just one small nugget of unsolicited advice:

If you find yourself at an impasse (in anything) because you have missing or unclear information--STOP. Stop right there and proceed to gather the remaining information and/or clarify the info you have. THEN complete your analysis. I see no benefit whatsoever in attempting to complete your analysis based on unfavorable and uninformed assumptions--unless your are TRYING to drive yourself crazy and shorten your life.

Based on everything I know and have read, it looks to me like you have 6 gen ed credit hours remaining to complete--3 of which are your WER. After that you have 13 applied professional credit hours to complete (one of which is the IL), which could also be just extra arts and sciences. It would be that simple except that Excelsior provides many distribution options/requirements that must be taken into account--so they provided that info as well. However, it looks to me like all that means to you is that you have to make sure you choose the correct 3 credit course/exam to complete your gen ed requirements.

Now, that could be wrong or incomplete as well, but I would start there and see how close it is. I bet it's at least close.

As you've seen in Real Estate, every discipline has its language--and often times you will find that their are different dialects spoken by the various institutions in any given discipline. I have worked with telecom companies for most of my life, and it took me a while to realize that a T1, DS1, dedicated line, and point-to-point circuit are all synonymous. In the meantime, I just had to ask and look things up. Once you get a few questions answered, I predict your degree requirement navigation will be much easier.

Take it easy on yourself and save your brain cells for studying--and good luck!

[mlwilliamsiv]

Barcotta...I'm so sorry daddy!!!

I know it's probably annoying but I get like that...it's a gene I inherited from my mother!!! I'm always thinking---what I mean is...my brain never shuts off. Usually though I keep my rants to myself. After Peace123 calmed me down I was ok. I went back and read my post and broke out laughing...boy I was ticked offhilarious !

I called Excelsior today (Admissions office) and spoke to somebody named Bill. He said that I only needed 19 credits (technically 18 because I already have Info Lit). So he confirmed what I thought from the beginning. I told him that Excelsior needs to do something about those evaluations because they are difficult to understand. He said they are working it. Doesn't make much difference now because over the weekend I decided to change my degree from Liberal Studies to General Business. I'm exactly 78 credits away from a BS in either degree so I might as well go for the General Business degree. I think that would look more attractive than a Liberal Arts degree for me.

My main concern was trying to see if they took my real estate courses (which they did). I'm going to be doing my AAS in Paralegal Studies at my local cc (Winter Semester) and will also be using some of these courses for free electives at Excelsior.

Now I have a new dilemma. I can't use my financial aid to take care of my enrollment fee so I have to pay $150 to get the ball rolling (which I don't have available right now). I've heard from others that I should sign up with Peace Officers Association of Georgia (POAG) to get a discount on my enrollment fee. I went to the website to join but I can't get the Associate Membership form. I've emailed them so I'll see how long that's gonna take. It's only $25 bucks which isn't bad.

I also talked to the financial aid office and the lady there told me she could put together an "estimated aid package" so I can see how much aid I will receive. I'm just trying to figure out if it's better to just enroll and pay the regular fees or use the partner discounts.

I guess I'll figure all of this out when I get my "estimated award package." She said I should be able to access it on MyEC online in 7 to 10 business days.

[peace123]

Marshall,


I am glad the advisor at Excelsior was able to help you.

When I joined POAG, they(POAG) had to postal mail me their application as their website was only set up for regular memberships not associates.

Remember that if you sign up through POAG (at the Bachelors level )you have to complete 12 credits via Excelsior courses. Were you planning on taking courses from Excelsior. With the POAG partnership the per hour credit cost is $250 rather then $300. ( So for a 3 credit course it would be $750 rather then the regular $900 cost.)

Also check into the partnership scholarship options, the class I am currently taking was paid for with a partnership scholarship.

Peace123

[malcs]

I can't use my financial aid to take care of my enrollment fee so I have to pay $150 to get the ball rolling (which I don't have available right now). I've heard from others that I should sign up with Peace Officers Association of Georgia (POAG) to get a discount on my enrollment fee. I went to the website to join but I can't get the Associate Membership form. I've emailed them so I'll see how long that's gonna take. It's only $25 bucks which isn't bad.

You don't need any special form from POAG, and it is only $20 if you have paypal. I joined them 10 minutes before I submitted my EC enrollment form. (You must fax the EC enrollment form, since the online form does not know about discounts). Just write POAG in the membership area, write in $150, and put your visa card number on the form, then fax it. Be bold about it, let them tell them you can't have it.

If they have any questions about it, ask them to contact POAG, since they have some sort of partnership. I am sure that POAG will vouch that you are a new associate member. You get a really nice dime-store laminated card, with your name typed on it, in a few days time, along with a really nice 10 cent sticker for your car. My dillemma is whether to put the POAG sticker on my corvette or my minivan.


Like has been mentioned before, unless you plan on taking 3 or more EC courses online, it is really a payment deferral method. You will probably have to make the the difference when you graduate. Pay later is always better for me!

[mlwilliamsiv]

Thanks Peace123 and Malcs for your help...AGAIN!!!

I was basically using the POAG discount for a "deferral" method that I could use to just pay a one-time fee of $150 as opposed to paying $150 per month for 6 months on the regular payment plan.

The kicker is...I have to take Excelsior's Business Strategy course so I figure I might as well add a couple more in there to receive financial aid. I know that taking 12 credits will be a crapload of money, however, it won't make a difference if my student aid covers the bulk of it.

Plus...for some reason...I'd rather take a course than take an ECE exam. I believe taking a course gives me a little more room for error than an exam. However, if I go the regular fee route... I will bite the bullet and take the ECE HRM exam.

So here is the financial breakdown that I've estimated between the partner discount and the regular fee.

PARTNER DISCOUNT

$3,000 4 classes (12 credits x $250 p.c.h)
400 (Estimated textbook fees - $100 per book)
150 Enrollment Fee
150 Grad Fee
Total = $3,700

REGULAR FEE

$1,800 2 classes (Bus. Strategy & Production/Ops. Management)
200 (Estimated textbook fees - $100 per book)
235 1 exam (ECE Human Resource Management)
895 Enrollment Fee
495 Graduation Fee
Total = $3,625

So I think looking at the above projections...the partner discount route would be the best option---although I don't really want to take online classes!!!

And as far as POAG goes---Malcs---unless you are/were a police officer...I don't know how you filled out the form online. They had some required fields on there that do not apply to me. I emailed POAG earlier and got a response from Marion Conley. She said that if I emailed my address that she would send an Associate Card to me. I hope she means an application because I didn't pay yet! It said on the website that the Associate membership fee was $25 and Paypal only gave an option for $20, which is the Active Membership dues fee. That's why I didn't pay online. I just wish they had a contact number so I could speak with somebody.

Any-hoo...thanks again guys for your help.

P.S: PEACE123----How did you get that partner scholarship you mentioned? Did you have to do something to get it or you just qualified for it automatically under your FAFSA Financial Aid?

I have a scholarship I'm trying to apply for through my Local Union but I have to be enrolled first!!! The deadline is May 15 so I still have some time. The winner will be announced in June.

Does anybody know of a website(s) where people like us can go to apply for scholarships and grants?

From a loyal degree seeker,

Marshall

[peace123]

PEACE123----How did you get that partner scholarship you mentioned? Did you have to do something to get it or you just qualified for it automatically under your FAFSA Financial Aid?[/SIZE][/FONT]

I have a scholarship I'm trying to apply for through my Local Union but I have to be enrolled first!!! The deadline is May 15 so I still have some time. The winner will be announced in June.

Does anybody know of a website(s) where people like us can go to apply for scholarships and grants?

From a loyal degree seeker,

Marshall

https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_Coll...ip_Program

The above link gives info on the Partner Scholarship Program.

Marshall, All I know is that I got a call out of the blue one day from Excelsior's Fin. Aid office and was told I was granted a partner scholarship( that covered one course) because I was enrolled under a partnership program ( POAG) and I had previously completed some online courses with Excelsior while enrolled under the partnership agreement. The only stipulation was I could not already be getting the class payed for by my employer or be able to be reimbursed for it by my employer.

[mlwilliamsiv]

Thanks again Peace.

I'm definitely gonna look into that...I need all the help I can get!

-Marshall

[dharmachic]

Does anybody know of a website(s) where people like us can go to apply for scholarships and grants?

Hey Marshall,

For info on scholarships for adult and non-traditional students, check out Ben Kaplan's site: ScholarshipCoach.com -- Adult and Non-Traditional Student Scholarships That Totally Rock!. I just found this online, and haven't personally checked it out. But I did happen to pick up his book at the library called "The Scholarship Scouting Report" and it included the winning essays and tips for scholarships that gave out the most generous awards, and were not based upon financial need, region, or race. It's worth checking out.

Helen

[mlwilliamsiv]

Thanks Helen for the link!

I've also signed up with Fastweb.com.

-Marshall

[malcs]

And as far as POAG goes---Malcs---unless you are/were a police officer...I don't know how you filled out the form online. They had some required fields on there that do not apply to me. I emailed POAG earlier and got a response from Marion Conley. She said that if I emailed my address that she would send an Associate Card to me. I hope she means an application because I didn't pay yet! It said on the website that the Associate membership fee was $25 and Paypal only gave an option for $20, which is the Active Membership dues fee. That's why I didn't pay online. I just wish they had a contact number so I could speak with somebody.[/FONT]

If you use the $20 Paypal option, just answer zero for years of police service. I did that and the sent me the assoc. membership card. I will get stuck paying up in the next few weeks when I graduate anyway, so no real discount for me, just a pay-at-the-end plan. That paypal option was kind of unclear on the POAG web site. Anyway, those POAG boys and girls are using our money for their various activities, and we are getting a benefit as well.