Ashford University

2 months ago

Chad Whiteside clc28rc ((at)) sbcglobal dot net

I have been attending class at Ashford for just over a year and one half, graduating with my B.A. in Organizational Management Feb, 2010. Let me first say that college, whether online or at a brick and mortar campus requires dedication. Essentially, you get out what you put into class. Those who have complained about Ashford's online program in my opinion were too lazy to research all of the costs and requirements prior to enrollment. The technology fee is in black and white, and is applied within the first semester. This is not unique to Ashford, all online programs have a technology fee which is for the use of and to maintain technologies used for online classroom. Secondly, the requirements for the FAFSA are enforced by our government, who provide these loans, not Ashford. Any complaints of this nature are unfounded in my opinion. As for the learning experience, I will state again, you get out what you put into class. If you want to learn, this is a fantastic college. If you want a free pass, this is not the college for you! There are plenty of diploma mills out there, go find one of these if a piece of paper is all you are looking for. Classes in the online format are fast paced, require much reading and writing papers in a short time. Typically a three to five page paper is due in week two, a draft of your reflective paper is due in week three, with the final paper due at the end of week five. Along with this, discussion board topics are due weekly, as well as weekly exams. Ashford in my opinion has provided a quality education at a fair price. I plan on enrolling in the MAOM upon completion of my BAOM.

2 months ago

sincere

Ashford University is a ripoff! They're profiting on students finicial aid and don't give a damn about anything else.

2 months ago

Thia, persuing B.A. in Social Science online NewMerciesIC ((at)) aim dot com

I am in the 4th week of my second course at Ashford, and thankfully, for me it's been good so far. I was able to transfer about 50 credits from my prior two colleges, even though it's been a few years since I had earned them. My enrollment adviser (Adrienne)was great and got the ball rolling for me to begin classes within about 2 wks from the day we first spoke. I'm 30 plus, and a busy wife and at-home mom of 3, so it would have been impossible for me to attend my local state college to finish my degree. But Ashford is convenient to my time and is making it possible for my dream of earning my B.A. to come true. That said, as far as administration problems, I don't know if AU has a high employee turnover or what, which may be causing some of the communication issues I've read about here. I can relate to having to wait for my excess Student aid money. I was told it would be issued after completing week 6. Now going into my 9th week, I still haven't received the refund yet, although the school received and applied my Student Aid money at least 2 weeks ago. I attempted to send a second email to my financial adviser two days ago and it came back undeliverable due to being marked "spam." This is the only still-unresolved issue I've had w/ the school. Other than that, my instructors have been very knowledgeable and well qualified. I've put forth a lot of effort, and so far am earning very good grades. I'm looking forward to graduate in late 2011, if not before. My advise to anyone considering AU, just do your homework first. Know the policies and guidelines before signing up. The continuous, rigorous 5 wk courses aren't for everyone, but if you're willing to work hard, this MAY be the school for you!

3 months ago

Liz Scott

I'm not sure what the correlation between the UDP and Ashford University. Ashford is recognized by the department of education and is regionally accredited. I am receiving an great education from this university and I will be very proud of my degree. I was just wondering why this web page cited diploma mill information from wikipedia under the Ashford University Summary. If you search wikipedia for a list of unaccredited institutions (or diploma mills), you will not find Ashford University. Ashford is an awesome school with a fantastic curriculum.

4 months ago

Mike Blackstone

If you are even thinking of signing the contract, you better look again. I got an A in my first class (a joke really). I was 3 weeks and another A into my second class when I got the "tuition Increase" email. My degree went from $57,000 to over $70,000 and I was only in my second class of 4 years. I was not wiling to gamble on the actual final cost by then and dropped out. They are billing me directly for a "Technology Fee", even though I had a student loan. They gave me 15 days via email to pay or go to collections. The student loan won't allow payment of this fee, which should speak for itself. It is illegal and wrong. My new goal is to make sure not another veteran signs up for Ashford, and that not a single lender will give a student loan for Ashford. It's University Of Nevada Reno for me. Do yourself a favor and go to a real school.

5 months ago

nikki

I am hearing from others hear how Ashford is a top notch school. In some ways yes but when you are given wrong information at the time of enrollment then everything changes. I am not employeed so when I decided to go back to school to obtain a degree because where I live most jobs had gone out of business. So when I called and told the enrollment advisor at Ashford that I was not working and needed help with purchasing books I was told by the enrollement advisor not to worry because my finacial aid would come in time for me to purchase the books and for future classes. Well after I had signed up with Ashford it took 4 months before I had recieved any of my finacial aid. Even though I had maintain a A and B average without a book. I still wanted to give Ashford a chance. Stupid me. When it came time to recieve financial aid again, Ashford emailed me the week before I was to recieve my finacial aid to tell me that they had started a new thing that no one could recieve financial aid untile after 14 weeks of succesfully completing 2 classes. The thing about this that up set me was the fact that Ashford waited at the last minute to send me an email about holding finacial aid when I depended on it to help puchases their expensive books. So when I called to inquire about the matter my financial advisor told me it was to help me out. When I asked how it would help me out by holding my money that I have to pay back and still have to be responsible for books when it was well documented that I needed help purchasing books and other materials due to non employement. So after screaming and threatening to take my money some where else and to let my financial aid advisor know that if anyone ask me if Ashford is a good school to go to? I would simply say no and that Ashford dosen't care about the student only the money. She decided to send my money on time. Now things are starting up again with the financial aid and I am not sure if I want to continue my education with Ashford. One finacial aid advisor is telling one thing and another finacial aid is telling me something else. The only thing I want others to know is to be careful before enrolling with this school and get everything in writing. If you can't get in writing, it might be best to look into other schools. Yes their classes are challenging and are very good. But if you can not afford the textbooks it might not be the school for you.

8 months ago

faithful_1 scottdeveda ((at)) gmail dot com

Ashford's online course is not a joke! You have to be prepared to read a lot and display storng critical thinking skill if you're a student. I have taken 3 courses at Univ. of Phoenix and hated the group work. I received 59 credits from Nova Southeastern Univ and all of my credits were accepted applied towards my Social Science degree. I'm learning a lot, but it requires plenty of discipline and competent academic writing skill. This is not an online course for people attempting to get FREE financial aid money after dropping a class in two weeks. And it's not for adults that make excuses for not turning in assignments or those with low expectations. You have to be a self-starter and willing to be accountable for the effort you put forth. I'm very pleased so far and I have 3 children from 2yrs to 15 and a husband who is also in college full-time, and we both work full-time. People just need to grow up and buckle down and get it done! If that's not you don't enroll or you'll be whining too!

10 months ago

Mark hd dot man70 ((at)) hotmail dot com

Ashford is a fine school and has the proper accreditation. It is not going to lose its accreditation! I have taken ten classes with Ashford and have had little to know problem with them, any problem I did have with the college was resolved quickly. My friend was taking classes at Ashford and transferred to another college to get an Associates Degree. The other college accepted all of his Ashford credits. The only reason he transfer out of Ashford is because Ashford only has one online AA degree plan. Ashford is primarily geared toward undergraduate and graduate degrees. Before going to Ashford I attended and received my AA degree from Central Texas College. I had more problems with that college than I have ever had with Ashford. When I would call that college to get something done, the staff was either off for a holiday or the offices where done for the day. No matter what college you go to you are going to have a problem or two with it. I am in the Military and Ashford has been a good college to go to. Sometimes I can’t submit an assignment on time due to my military duties and the instructors have worked with me every time. They don’t give me extra month to submit my assignment but usually give me an extra couple of days or so. The other thing that I like is that the instructors are not one sided, they understand you have your point of view in discussion assignments and respect it.

10 months ago

Perez mspenny75 ((at)) hotmail dot com

Where can I verify that they are about to lose their accreditation? What is your resources? I would like to investigate this for myself. FASFA would not be approving money to an unaccredited school. "MATT MERYK - Hold on everyone! Do you know what Ashford University really is? It is a money laundering organization and it is owned and opersted by organized crime! Ashford University claims to have 18,000 on line students. This is crazy. Add it up. One book per student, every 5 weeks and they use an outside service to distribute these? Ashford uses false names for students and instructors. Ashford is about to be unaccredited and what will your degree be worth then?"

11 months ago

Linda luckylady2105 ((at)) aol dot com

I am currently an Ashford student and it is a ripoff and a very bad school.I have read the posts and I wonder how many posts are from Ashford staff ? I mean this is the type of school that make you have red flags flying everywhere. In 2006 when I first started it seemed like the perfect school everything was nice. Then in 2007 things was not adding up so I did some research on my own and made phone calls. From the first part of this year (2008) until now I have had the headache of my life. Ashford is a nightmare when it comes to being an online student with financial aid. They have taken my living expense money and I called and asked to speak to the Dean and was told that they had many Deans but none for online students. They would never send my excess funds within the 14 days time frame. The Instructors are a joke, you might have three out of your whole program that sounds real with morals. Iwas talking with a financial aid counselor in Iowa who said I did not get a Pell grant and there was no one else I could talk with. I called San Diego just after I hung up the telephone with her and she answered the phone in San Diego, now I know we have fast technology on travel but this was crazy. I asked her did she had jets under her feet to get there that fast. She hung up the phone.. I am know talking to The Department of Education so that they can do an audit of Ashford. A new technique is coming in to swindle more money out of students. The so called 30-70 disbursement plan. You will have to attend 7 weeks to get 30% of your funds and 14 more weeks to get the 70% of your funds. I called my lenders and they said they never heard of funds being disbursed like that. I called FASA and they told me that was illegal because they only disburse twice a year and that was how the school was suppose to disburse funds. If anyone say that you can get in touch with Ashford and they will call you back the same day- they are lying. I called for a week staying on the phone and I did not recieve a phone call yet. I always had to get a number off the internet to talk to the President of Ashford and present my issues.. Something is seriously wrong with this school and if I did not have so much time, money and energy involved I would quit. The work assignments are easy and you will pass them, until Ashford wants more money and tell the imitation instructor to fail you, so you can pay for a retake. I am in Organizational Management so why would I need a class in Introduction to Film. Someone please explain that one to me. Please look some where else for a school you can trust. Ashford gives online schools a bad name.

about 1 year ago

MATT MERYK MYTEBYTE ((at)) NETZERO dot NET

Hold on everyone! Do you know what Ashford University really is? It is a money laundering organization and it is owned and opersted by organized crime! Ashford University claims to have 18,000 on line students. This is crazy. Add it up. One book per student, every 5 weeks and they use an outside service to distribute these? Ashford uses false names for students and instructors. Ashford is about to be unaccredited and what will your degree be worth then?

about 1 year ago

Corey bankscorey ((at)) yahoo dot com

Wow, after reading some of the comments, I am not sure if some people are talking about Ashford. My experience with Ashford has been great. I have attended three colleges, so I know what to expect. My experience with Ashford has been awesome. The personnel including professors, advisors, and other administrators are always available and willing to help. The only problem I did have was when two of my professors were not grading my papers or discussions fast enough. HERE'S MY RECCOMENDATION: If you are disciplined enough read and also able to write a 5-8 page paper every week Ashford is the place for you. You can even submit your paper to a writing consultant for suggestions, prior to turning it in. Also, to succeed at Ashford, you need to be self-motivated and driven. I have been at AU for a year, and I have had any group assignments.

about 1 year ago

Rich weho5r ((at)) yahoo dot com

I'm in my last class at Ashford and just wanted to add my two cents here. I spent 4 years at a major university here in Los Angeles before having to drop out. First of all, there are always admin and financial aid problems. You just have to know how to stay on top of what you need. I had FAR less of a problem with Financial Aid here at Ashford than I did at the other university. The counselors are helpful, the faculty is helpful but the bottom line is that you really have to work. This is not an easy way out. It's college. Act like an adult, be responsible and you will succeed!

about 1 year ago

Anonymous evergoose79_mo ((at)) yahoo dot com

I just completed my degree with Ashford and it has been overall good. My degree was Organizational Mangement and I found the instructors to be pretty good and I like the fact that the online courses are 5 weeks and you can can see your grades as your progress from week to week. Also, I like the fact that there was a sort of unfirom standard from class to class, for example initial posts were on Thursdays, and final posts, written assignemnts and quizzes were on Tuesdays (which is so much better than Friday because you have the weekend to read through the posts). Their online courses are structured for people that work and have families. Their expectations are clear and you can see the entire course syllabus from the student page before actuallt taking the course. I have found that the online courses at Ashford seem to be more tailored to adults that are working and have families, as opposed to other online formats. The tution I guess is average to other classes that I would have taken, however, I wish that that they had adjusted my rate to the in-state level since I was using the GI Bill to pay tuition. The adminstrative experience at Ashford was a litle rocky, they told me that they would get my transcripts, but they had some problems. I had applied for Financial Aid and the paperwork took awhile from the school's side. However, whenever I e-mailed I got a call that day, I had requested transcripts one time and they actually called to get some clarification. I have encountered different situations at different schools, and Ashford is not any different. However, their Online Structure for Online Bachelor's Degreees is structured and organized compared to some of these more famous schools. You get what you put into it, nobody is going to hold your hand and but they give you their expecation up front, and that is something that I like about any institution.

about 1 year ago

Denise rusymac2 ((at)) yahoo dot com

I am currently enrolled in my last two online classes at Ashford before receiving my BA. I did have a problem with the scheduling of classes towards the beginning of my program, but it was quickly resolved, and the only problem I have had. I do not find the courses to be difficult as long as you can write at the college level. Online courses involve a lot of writing by their very nature. It is difficult to give exams online since who would know who was really taking it - so every class at Ashford culminates in a research paper. And with weekly written assignments it is very apparent if the student actually wrote the paper. An 8-10 page research paper every 5 weeks can seem tough for some, especially if they have poor writing sills, but it is very doable. I doubled my classes to finish sooner, so I have been doing two such papers, plus the regular coursework, so it can definitely be done. They accepted all of my transfer credits and I have found the vast majority of professors to be outstanding and helpful (especially Professor Norwood - my absolute favorite). Ashford did not have my official transcript evaluation completed when I started classes, but they were very willing to only schedule me in classes that I was sure I did not have in transfer equivalencies. You will pay tuition for classes at any University whether you complete them or not if you do not officially drop out by the drop date. Any fees incurred, such as transcript evaluations, are non-refundable at all universities as well. I have taken online courses at a few community colleges and they always charge a technology fee - it is the fee to use the technology that allows for the class to be online in the first place. Also, the federal government requires cancellation of loan funds if you do not complete 67% of the classes you enrolled in, or a lesser amount if dropping a class takes your status from full to part-time. Ashford does not make the rules regarding federal loans, our government does. I loved that Ashford allowed me to start classes before my financial aid was complete. Some other schools will make you pay out-of-pocket until your aid comes in for at least part of your tuition. Ashford did not - and they even paid for the books for my first class. If you think their tuition is high, compare it to other REGIONALLY ACCREDITED online programs and you will quickly discover that it is not. I have never had any technology issues. There have been one or two instances in the past year where Blackboard (their class hosting software) "went down," but I don't think it was for more than 10 minutes either time. Attending Ashford has been a wonderful experience for me. I highly recommend the University for anyone looking to complete an online degree program.

about 1 year ago

Sherina Watts msrina7 ((at)) yahoo dot com

Ashford University is a terrible school. The people they have working in the financial office have no clue of what they are doing. First they lost all of my paper work but yet I was taking classes with without my student loan. I filled out my work stating I wanted any unused funds returned to me Ashford refuse to give the refund. I called 3 times a day and I don't get a return call or email until a week later. I was told after my 3rd class I could withdraw from the school and any remaining funds will be mailed to me. They never processed my withdrawl. Then I was given paper work to fill out about the remaining money of my loans I didn't understand so I call to get help and to find out I was sent paper work with would cancel out all my loans and I would have had to pay Ashford out of pocket for the 3 classes I took. I would not recommand this school to my worst enemy.

about 1 year ago

Devon Holden dth0183 ((at)) yahoo dot com

I have finished 2 courses at Ashford and will graduate in about a year. As far as the complaints below, I would ignore them. The complaint that it is too hard sounds like it is coming from someone dumb or lazy. I have to put in a lot of time reading the texts, and have to spend time writing. It takes time and effort and if you do not want to put in the work then do not go, but if you do it is wonderful. The administration is helpful, I get calls weekly from staff. While things can come up that need a follow up, this happens at any university and was much worse at University of Arizona which I previously attended. If you are a serious student that works full time this is an excellent choice due to the one course at a time structure.

about 1 year ago

Juice phipsijuice ((at)) hotmail dot com

I recently graduated from Ashofrd University with a BA in Organizational Management and I am now enrolled in Ashford's MAOM program. It sounds like the people who were not satisfied with Ashford, would not make it anywhere. If you can't get the basics down, than college is not for you, period.

over 2 years ago

Belinda Medellin billiemed ((at)) netscape dot net

I just completed my Masters at Ashford University and it was tough but amazing. Did I mention I took advantage of the online program? As a working single mother, there was no doubt that online was the way to go and I did my research. Not only was the recruiter helpful, but the path they led me to made sense. Not only did I obtain my dream career because of my degree path at Ashford, but I learned how to push myself academically. It was harder then my undergrad because I had to be on top of everything. However, the instructors were great, the classes were extremely interactive, and I no problems with financial aid. The only problem was with the bookstore, so I quickly resorted to Halfbooks.com. Yes there were many people that dropped out of the course, but any Graduate program is tough. You just have to want it bad enough to stick with it. Ashford University online is an excellent choice for those who can be committed to success.

over 2 years ago

Dr. Mijanovich Profmijanovich ((at)) myway dot com

On line schooling is not a give me. I have gone back to Ashford University to receive degrees in a different field than my previous field of engineering. I have found Ashford to be a good school, but is demanding. Many think that online schooling is a snap, think again. Many noted magazines have made the comments that on line education is as hard if not harder than in class programs. If individuals can't handle the administration problems which can come up than this is not the type of education for them.

over 2 years ago

jenn jen29aplms ((at)) aol dot com

wow, after reading these comments i am a little worried about any online school offering a degree. i have heard bad and good things about each one i have researched i have spent a month researching , talking to advisors and friends, and i just dont really know about this. my main worry is having trouble on a class or tech problems and no body ever there to help you or answer a question. thanks for listening. lost

over 2 years ago

Lisa ky_lcornett ((at)) hotmail dot com

I recently graduated from Ashford and I absolutely loved my distance learning classes there. I earned my MBA and never had 1 ounce of trouble from the financial aid department, academics, or any of my counselors. I miss class so very much, in fact!! I guess if things do not proceed smoothly from the beginning for some people, they might not be determined enough to continue on with their education at a college that is truly EDUCATION-based, not athletics, not any other extra-curricular activity mattered to them - only that I received the highest quality education with great feedback from my instructors on each and every assignment. I miss it, today and I highly advise anyone to attend Ashford University. It changed my life.

over 2 years ago

Bryce brycewerckman ((at)) yahoo dot com

I will be graduating from Ashford University at the end of the summer. I have taken 11 classes to finish my degree, and I have found this college to be the best at what they do and the most affordable. You have to actually do the work to get credit, and the courses are challenging. The administration still needs to work out a few issues as far as student contact goes, however, my academic advisor has been very helpful and with me every step of the way. Over half of the poeple that started the courses with me have dropped out, but it was obvious from the beginning that several who were admitted could barely read or write. That is a reflection of the high school system in this country, not of Ashford. You have to demonstrate basic competencies in composition, grammar and spelling in everything you do there. If your looking for a degree mill, look elsewhere.

over 2 years ago

Rob sandymorales1 ((at)) yahoo dot com

I was going to take a class online found no help it was too difficult and I got no assistance. So I quit after the very first class, repeatedly emailed and called my counselor. No return call then 2 months later get a call stating I owe $700. This really is a bad school and I don't understand why I should have to pay for a course I never took

over 2 years ago

caprice capricerenea ((at)) comcast dot net

I am very upset with this school. From day one they lead me to believe that everything would be smooth transition. I took two classes and have dropped from the school. Since I took my second class they are stating that I have to pay $500.00 for transcript fees, $250.00 in technology fee (when I was an online student), $175.00 Student Services Fee, and $65.00 in orientation. For a total of two classes they are charging me $3500.00. I am glad I am no longer attending and beware if you are thinking of doing so.

over 2 years ago

jenny jennifer_swart9480 ((at)) yahoo dot com

I really find Ashford to have a helpful administration. They are in constant contact with me and easy to get a hold of. I did not have any issues with them receiving my transcripts and when they reviewed them they accepted more transfer credits. Most other universities are only willing to take up to 64 credits, but Ashford took 90 credits.

over 2 years ago

dorothy dchar90 ((at)) yahoo dot om

this is the worst school I have ever been to. The administration at the school is terrible. They don’t inform you about important matters, I started the school in March. They didn’t inform me until my second class that they didn’t receive all my transcripts. Then they put me in the wrong field that I was majored in. I don’t what kind of people are working in that office but they are not very smart. I have wasted my time and money coming to this school and I will not recommend it for any other person.