A friend with little money was accepted by the University of Phoenix

[Anonymous]

I know there is controversy, in general, with commercial schools and people with little money getting overextended, in part because they may not realize employers might value their degrees less than if they were from a more traditional school. On the other hand, higher education is changing, and what really matters is what you can do.

I guess I don't know what my question is. I'm concerned. A good friend on hard times is going to invest in a University of Phoenix degree. I wonder if I should share my concerns or if it is none of my business, and I should encourage her. (I could be wrong.)

[Anonymous]

WTF?

[Anonymous]

I don't know anyone who considers this a real degree. If this was my friend, I'd encourage this person to look at other online degree programs.

[Anonymous]

Places like the University of Phoenix are part of the student loan-generating complex.

[Anonymous]

Your friend is going to end up with lots of loans and no degree. Tell your friend to get to a community college and then the closest state school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is going to end up with lots of loans and no degree. Tell your friend to get to a community college and then the closest state school.

I would try to say this to your friend as gently as possible. Also your friend should:

1) calculate the net cost of attendance for however many years the degree will take (it can be really powerful to see that big number)
2) calculate future loan payments based on the above (here's a calculator: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action )
3) Do some informational interviews with professionals in friend's intended field of study to learn more about possible paths to that career and how a UofP degree would be viewed

If you do have the conversation, I would try to keep it very practical and non-judgmental.

[Anonymous]

Agree with all of the PP's. Your friend should really be encouraged to stay away from a places like university of Phoenix. Have them read the news articles about the investigations happening.

At the same time you should consider helping your friend to find alternatives to getting a degree from there (i.e. community college, scholarship opportunities at local universities, etc.) This assistance to your friend would, hopefully, help ease the pain of hearing not so great information and thoughts on a plan.

I think it's great that your friend wants to further career opportunities with a degree, but you're right to be worried.

[Anonymous]

Isn't everyone accepted at the University of Phoenix? Someone who has fallen on hard times is the kind of person these schools prey on. Unless she works at a place that pays more automatically for a degree, some places do, and the increased pay will trump the costs, don't do it.

[Anonymous]

She could try University of Maryland University College. It seems like a good online school.

[Anonymous]

I saw at Starbucks that they are offering tuition benefits so their employees can finish up at Arizona State University. That sounds more credible than University of Phoenx.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She could try University of Maryland University College. It seems like a good online school.

Very good and reputable program.

[Anonymous]

The best savings for anyone, no matter age or income level, is to go to community college. Good cc grades will get you into a good 4 year program and may get a scholarship. CC's are the best value out there in education right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is going to end up with lots of loans and no degree. Tell your friend to get to a community college and then the closest state school.

I would try to say this to your friend as gently as possible. Also your friend should:

1) calculate the net cost of attendance for however many years the degree will take (it can be really powerful to see that big number)
2) calculate future loan payments based on the above (here's a calculator: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action )
3) Do some informational interviews with professionals in friend's intended field of study to learn more about possible paths to that career and how a UofP degree would be viewed

If you do have the conversation, I would try to keep it very practical and non-judgmental.

Absolutely. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She could try University of Maryland University College. It seems like a good online school.

Very good and reputable program.

+1. I was thinking the same think and might come out cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She could try University of Maryland University College. It seems like a good online school.

Very good and reputable program.

+1. I was thinking the same think and might come out cheaper.

Plus you can utilize the alumni network.