I was also rushed, rushed, rushed to start now, now, now, pay later. Well today, September 16, 2010 after 11 weeks of busting my ass to do everything asked for financial aid, doing all the work for classes and earning 2 As and a B for the first term, and doing well in the second term, I found out that my financial aid would be in the form of $14, 000 worth of student loans that MIGHT get me through 8 classes. I made $12, 000 last year. I have no job, what would make them think I wanted a $14, 000 loan? I started the financial aid process back in May, with the intention of seeing what I qualified for, and going from there. After being repeatedly reassured, that I WOULD qualify for financial aid, I was informed today that thus far I owe over $2, 000. I can't decide whether to cut my losses and run or take a deep breath and jump in so today I am looking over the reviews online.

I already have had more bad experiences than good, and serious issues with communication with 3 out of 5 instructors. In reading the reviews, it seems like Florida Tech is very solicitous until the loan is signed, and once you are hooked, you are dinner. I am thinking for $460 per credit hour, I should not have to teach myself. When professors don't answer emails, or explain why you are wrong when you ask, then you aren't learning. I have found mistakes on tests and emailed the professors citing the wrong answer on tests on MULTIPLE occasions using the test question and number, and a reference to the book. Two professors admitted it was wrong, the other two never answered me, and it happened in each class more than once THAT I NOTICED.

The B I received was from one of the instructors that did not return email. After I was finished all of the work plus 8 extra credit papers, I received a 88.9, that is 1.1 point from an A. She gave me the A, then, after the course, I complained about the emails that weren't answered, and, she changed my grade to a B.

My second complaint is about the test I failed last week. I emailed my teacher on Sunday saying I obviously was missing something. I had no idea what I was doing wrong. She called me on Tuesday to tell me she wouldn't be able to help me until Wednesday. That help came in the form of an email to the whole class this morning saying she was having foot surgery and would be unavailable until the weekend. My personal feedback on my failed homework and exams consisted of, "I have reviews your work. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me."

I don't think that I want to owe so much money for a school that having a good experience at is like playing the lottery. If I had financial aid, maybe I would stay, but if I am paying, I am taking my money elsewhere.