The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Whitefield Seminary

Some of y'all know I discovered that "distance learning" just isn't for me, after enrolling in Whitefield Seminary (exclusively a "distance learning" school). I notified them last month of my intent to transfer to RTS Orlando for the classroom experience.

Today in a certified letter from Dr. Talbot (president of the school) advising me that none of the $9,000 in pre-paid tuition will be refunded.

The letter of the law is on his side. I did, in fact, agree to that "no refunds after 4 weeks" policy because I had every intention to make "distance learning" work. Dr. Talbot wrote several pages impugning my motives because of the questions I asked him about the school's association with theonomy/reconstructionism and the fact that my own pastor is a recent graduate (D.Min) of RTS.

Yeah, the letter of the law is on his side. He's got me.

But the spirit of the contract, not to mention the spirit of Christian brotherhood, is not on his side. Despite the agreement I signed, I still feel like I've been wrongly treated. At least some portion of my huge investment could have been refunded with no big loss to the school.

So, those of you considering Whitefield Seminary in Lakeland, take note:

1. - If you have never tried "distance learning" and don't know if you can handle it or not, try it first by taking some little course at some small college that offers one. Make sure it's for you before you commit to something as big and expensive as en entire degree program paid in advance!

2.- Watch out for unaccredited schools with only a post office box for an address!

3.- Don't go to Whitefield. The letter kills (it's killing me anyway). And the spirit - well, let's just say I don't think it's the Holy Spirit.

-Robin

Robin,

Sorry to hear that Whitfield wouldn't even consider refunding a portion of your tuition. What period of time does the $9000 cover, e.g., 1 yr. 2 yrs, etc.? Can I ask how long it has been since you enrolled? In other words, how much time was used compared to the entire period your paid tuition covered?


In His grace,

Pilgrim asked:
I enrolled in September of last year. According to their catalog, the M.Div. normally takes most students about 4 years to complete. They offer a 10% discount on the entire cost if it's all paid up front, which is why I paid it all in advance.

It was foolish of me not to try "distance learning" before paying the whole non-refundable cost, then finding that distance learning is not for me.

A couple of friends of mine are saying I should get a lawyer! But I think it's useless. The legal mumbo jumbo is ironclad. They've got me and that's that. So the little storefront tape warehouse is $9K richer. But I think what they have lost is far more valuable:

-Robin

Robin,

You're probably right about the legal aspects, though I am no lawyer. But it would have been equitable (or perhaps "charitable" is a good term) for them to have refunded one-half your tuition, in my opinion. Do you know if Whitfield would allow you to re-enroll and continue the curriculum you have already paid for, should you change your mind?

Theo

Robin,

9K is a lot of money. I wonder if you could find another student to take the program would the school be willing to let that student to substitute for you. You may have to pay one-eight or one-fourth but that is a whole better.

Or, if they advertised in periodicals such as World Magazine, I wonder if contacting the periodical and explanining the situation might help in providing some monetary relief.

Theo asked:
I have two years in which I can re-enroll without paying the enrollment fee again.

But if "distance learning" didn't work for me in the first enrollment, why would that change? Anyway, it's cool that I have the option, but I've made no plans to reconsider my decision not to go there.

I think I'll check the classifieds again in my last copy of World Magazine, though... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/evilgrin.gif" alt="" />

Sorry about your financial hit, Robin!

Perhaps over the years, however, the lesson learned will wind up saving you far more than $9K, so will be worth it in the long run. ;^)

That's what I always tell myself when stuff like this happens to me, anyway. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/comfort.gif" alt="" />

BTW, I like your Xanga, and wish I knew how you did the neat tabs at the top. I can't do much of anything with mine. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Anne wrote:
Actually I simply chose a "skin" from a list of available skins right at Xanga. They have all kinds. I thought the same thing was true of all the "blogger" sites. Is it not?

And thank you all for the kind words...

-Robin