Private loans for private schools
Date: Wed, 12/19/2007 - 21:57
Private loans for private schools
I am kind of an insider on this. I have taught in community college as well as at a private (unaccredited) business school in Fort Myers, Florida. I can tell you that this well-advertised private business "college" in Fort Myers does its best to lure students into the door, promising them the moon and the stars for employment after they graduate. But, when the student does indeed graduate, they often find that their diploma is pretty much worthless, and they have $25,000 in private student loans to contend with. I felt ashamed of the place, and went to teach exclusively at the local community college and the public school system.
So, I guess my question is, for those of you who attended a private tech school or business college, did you feel that it helped you employment-wise? Was the end result worth the loans you took out to pay for the tuition you were charged?
IMHO, some people spend more time checking under the used car th
IMHO, some people spend more time checking under the used car than investigating a school that is "suppose" to provide an education for life. A lot of private schools are proprietary, or FOR PROFIT. Their bottom line is $$$ and how much they can make. Students accept their glossy ads and TV spots as fact without bothering to check under the hood. Look at University of Phoenix....the "degrees" from this school are not worth the paper they are written on. I have seen employment ads where it clearly states "UofP, Devry and ITT" need not apply. Private schools for the most part are short cuts. There are very reputable private instituations but they seem few and far between.
To me post secondary education needs all the basics, not just "job requirements". Learning automechanics is fine and dandy, but you also need to be able to write, do math, how to run a business..you get the picture.
I agree with you - online degrees from private institutions are
I agree with you - online degrees from private institutions are especially of dubious quality, and employers know it. It is FAR better to attend the local community college or university. The quality is better, the tuition is cheaper, financial aid is more affordable, and many of them offer online classes / degrees to boot. Some excellent public institutions offer complete bachelor's and masters degrees online, such as Hays State University (in Kansas).
Something else many people may not understand is the issue of accreditation. Many private tech schools and business colleges , if you ask about accreditation, will respond that they are accredited. Your next question needs to be "By WHOM?" Many private tech schools and business colleges are 'accredited' by flim-flam 'accreditation' agencies. To be eligible to receive federally-subsidized loans, an institution must have what is called "Regional Accreditation". In Florida, it was SACS - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This is the gold standard the fed government looks for in determining whether or not an institution is eligible for receiving federally-subsidized financial aid such as PELL and Stafford Loans. So, if when you ask the recruitment officer of your local business college, "Are you accredited by SACS (or one of the other regional accreditation agencies)?" and they respond, "Well, no, but..." don't walk out... run!
I am a prodcut of the Canadian educational system and when I imm
I am a prodcut of the Canadian educational system and when I immigrated to the US, I have to laugh at 2 year programs being called "degrees". Not to put down the community college system, but a 2 year program anywhere else in the world is a "certificate", not a degree.
I love the fact that you can go to a commnunity college and get those general education credits out of the way and get well rounded basics. We have community college here that partners with a university in there education program. If you maintain certain standards and grades for the first two years, all of your credits transfer to the University. 3 of one of my daughters teachers used this program and it is highly recommended. Live at home for the first two years with little to no student loan debt! Another friend of mine did the community college route for the first two years and then transfered his credits to one of the local pricey private colleges. Combining his AP courses and his community college courses, he made it out of school with less than $15000 in student loan debt with a very marketable degree.