TESU "Residency Waiver Fee" now "Edison Accelerate Fee" that saves you money!

[Ares]

It looks like TESU rebranded their $3354 "Residency Waiver Fee" as an $3354 "Edison Accelerate Fee". 

It now provides you with financial savings? WTF is this...

At Thomas Edison State University, we know that highly motivated students like you have already achieved great success in your educational journey. For those who bring a significant number of credits from prior college experiences, Edison Accelerate* provides a streamlined, cost-effective pathway to graduation.

For $3,354, Edison Accelerate allows students with substantial prior credits to reduce their Credit Hour Residency Requirement to just 6 required course credits (SOS-1100: Critical Information Literacy and Capstone). Instead of enrolling in additional credit hours, you pay this one-time fee, saving both time and money while leveraging your past academic achievements.

This program is designed for students who are ready to finish what they’ve started. By choosing Edison Accelerate, you’ll benefit from our expert team’s personalized evaluation of your prior credits.

Edison Accelerate provides you with more than just financial savings—it recognizes your hard work and determination. If you’re ready to take the next step toward achieving your academic goals, learn more about Edison Accelerate by contacting the Office of Admissions. Accelerate today!

*Beyond the Credit Hour Residency Requirement, Edison Accelerate does not waive any degree policies or requirements.

Are they serious?

[Mlevone12]

I just learned about Edison Accelerate on TESU's website as well. I sent an email to the Office of Admissions to inquire about the specifics, so I look forward to receiving more info about it soon.

[LevelUP]

It seems like TESU is hopping on the euphemism trend.

Here are some more suggestions for TESU

1. Flexible Enrollment Advantage Fee
   
2. Customized Learning Benefit Fee
   
3. Academic Freedom Investment
   
4. Pathway Flexibility Advantage Fee
   
5. Independent Study Opportunity Fee
   

Lolz.

[Jonathan Whatley]

For a student asking their employer to cover it, an "acceleration fee" could be an easier sell than a "waiver fee."

[bjcheung77]

I just learned about Edison Accelerate on TESU's website as well. I sent an email to the Office of Admissions to inquire about the specifics, so I look forward to receiving more info about it soon.

It's just a name change, nothing else should have changed for the residency waiver fee, I don't think the dollar amount changed either.

[davewill]

If you don't cram 15 units, including the corner/capstone into a single term, the "acceleration fee" is quite a bit cheaper than taking the courses and paying regular tuition, so their wording makes sense.

$8340 for 15 units regular tuition vs
$6690 ($3354 for the acceleration fee + $3336 for the corner and capstone) vs.
$4428 for the flat rate term.

[Mlevone12]

I just learned about Edison Accelerate on TESU's website as well. I sent an email to the Office of Admissions to inquire about the specifics, so I look forward to receiving more info about it soon.

It's just a name change, nothing else should have changed for the residency waiver fee, I don't think the dollar amount changed either.

I noticed TESU mentioned that only 6 RA credits are required instead of 15 RA credits. Were those guidelines the same for the residency waiver fee as well?

[bjcheung77]

TESU previously instituted a 16 credit residency requirement, it was recently dropped to 15 credits. For those who don't want to take more than the 6 credits, you need the residency waiver fee. This fee was for those who didn't want to complete the 16 credits at TESU, it's been at least 5 years now, as I've had threads created to maximize the transfer credits and also find creative ways to get more for the same price.

You may want to visit the TESU WIKI here: https://degreeforum.miraheze.org/wiki/Th...University
Courses vs Residency Waiver #1: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...ng-Courses
16 Credits vs Residency Waiver #2: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...Waiver-Fee
ACTFL/Foreign Credits: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...r-to-Big-3
Transfer Policy: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...-Explained

[Ares]

If you don't cram 15 units, including the corner/capstone into a single term, the "acceleration fee" is quite a bit cheaper than taking the courses and paying regular tuition, so their wording makes sense.

$8340 for 15 units regular tuition vs
$6690 ($3354 for the acceleration fee + $3336 for the corner and capstone) vs.
$4428 for the flat rate term.

Yes of course but the residency fee did not exist 10 years ago and now they are trying to sell a fee they added on to increase their income as "saving you money".

I just learned about Edison Accelerate on TESU's website as well. I sent an email to the Office of Admissions to inquire about the specifics, so I look forward to receiving more info about it soon.

It's just a name change, nothing else should have changed for the residency waiver fee, I don't think the dollar amount changed either.

I noticed TESU mentioned that only 6 RA credits are required instead of 15 RA credits. Were those guidelines the same for the residency waiver fee as well?

Everything is the same except they renamed the fee. Before the name change you could transfer 114 credits, but by doing so since you did not take 15 credits with them, they charged you a "residency fee" of $3354 in addition to the tuition cost for the 6 remaining credits. They just renamed the fee but it works the same.

Ten years ago the residency fee did not exist and if you transferred 114 credits you just paid the tuition rate for the 6 remaining credits. 

I just find it hilarious they are now spinning a $3K fee they added on 10 years ago making completing a degree with them more expensive as now "saving you money".

On the bright side this may be signaling they are not going the Excelsior route of requiring that you take 15 credits with them.

[Avidreader]

I wonder if they will eventually ditch the waiver fee altogether thanks to the success of UMPI's Yourpace program and now the buzz from UoPeople's new RA status.

They can still stand out thanks to the degrees they offer that the other 2 universities don't such as Foreign language and Hard sciences degrees.