Never take the teach out students. Life time of debt for weasels. Learn about school discharge and history of this sham at IAmAi on Facebook or the debt collective.org.
Get a real education from a reputable school and be able to utilize your federal funds towards a quality school.
Do Not Comply or be weaseled again.
@XZgfdVz-oec (You sound reasonable but you're a liar)
"One CC in Los Angeles with a 'good' reputation has an average student debt around $3000 - but a loan default rate north of 40%. What does that tell you?" (nothing)
I'll tell you what that tells me. It tells me that any CC is the place where most students should go to get their academic feet wet. If they don't like it and drop, so be it. But unlike your stealth dysinfomercial for for-profit scam schools, they don't subsequently and relentlessly get bombarded by a cadre of so -called for-profit academic advisors exhorting them to (come back) to run up the loan bill ad nauseum.
You sir are a predatory creep. Leave these students alone they've already paid the price of trusting the likes of you. A disreputable confabulator at best.
*Students go to a Community College or a State School not one that was formerly called Joanne's School of Typing and Stenography, now Ai, founded in 1492 or some such deceptive nonsense.
*If you can't get in right away, bide your time, save your money and be patient. It's better than getting financially raped by a sub species of vipers at scam schools like EDMC/DCEH that have repeatedly shown they DO NOT have your best interests at heart nor deserve your trust.
And keep in mind that 'reputable' isn't just any school that is not for-profit. Many community colleges offer near-worthless degrees in the applied arts. This is especially true for Associate degrees. Multiple studies have shown over the years that a 2-year degree has almost no effect on job salaries.
Also, even though debt is low, default rates on student loans are very high. One CC in Los Angeles with a 'good' reputation has an average student debt around $3000 - but a loan default rate north of 40%. What does that tell you?
Also, consider that it is common for 'reputable' art schools (something like Calarts or Art Center in Los Angeles) cost more than Ai ~$70,000/year - From the site:
"...The annual list price to attend California Institute of the Arts on a full time basis for 2017/2018 is $68,993 for all students regardless of their residency. This fee is comprised of $46,830 for tuition, $11,757 room and board, $2,590 for books and supplies and $616 for other fees..."
Obviously, you'll need financial aid again!
Finally, confirm that the 'reputable' school isn't outdated. One of the virtues of Ai was that nearly all instructors actually worked in their industry. In contrast, any community colleges have outdated design programs with little relevance to real-world job skills.
For example, web designers typically need to know Ux, coding, and Graphic design. At Ai, this was taught together. At many community colleges, you're required to be in Computer Science to learn any 'code', and then you can't take 'design' classes. And, if you go for design, you can't take 'computer science' courses.
Completely irrelevant to the real world. The Design and Computer Science departments are clawing their little turf, and refuse to admit that students need 'hybrid' skills. 20 years behind the times. So, students exit without marketable skills.
This is less of a problem at schools like Calarts, but you pay for it.
Finally, consider that these 'reputable' schools are willing to offer majors 'intersectional studies', without any possible job prospects - they justify this as 'enrichment'. Nobody's looking at their long-term 'gainful employment'. From one study a few years ago, around 16% of CC students get their degree in 4 years, though after 20 years you might see 40% completion. Clearly, not a 'fast track to success'.
Of course, there are lots of great schools out there - but buyer beware, check programs against job skills on sites like indeed.com. It's unlikely that any Associate degree is going to work. "Not being Ai" is a bad reason to go to a school.
Everything in this thread is 100% true. Take it from a former employee at AU online (Pittsburgh office)
Good advice. Check out your local state or junior colleges. Many Gen Ed classes are now offered online at a fraction of the cost you would have paid. Even though you may feel like you have wasted a few years, You have learned life lessons and skills that will benefit you in a higher education endeavor ( and life in general). These schools closing, it is really a gift. I know it doesn’t feel like it now, but you have an opportunity to graduate with a more respected degree at a much lower cost now. Take this gift and run with it. Don’t look back.
Let’s be real. The majority of these students were lucky to graduate high school— online is their only option.
What is sad, more than AU & Ai closing, is online students are all talking about going to similar schools instead of looking into local, brick and mortar, real, respectable colleges. They want the easy flexible online version. Higher education just isn’t what it use to be.
Teach out is a last ditch attempt to scam you again