The College Network

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2014

I would cancel the contract if I were you.

The College Network is not a real college. Rather, it is a third-party publishing company that sells materials to help people prepare for exams. If you want to complete Excelsior's program, you can do so without spending tens of thousands of dollars on the College Network. Just enroll at Excelsior.edu directly. Bypass the middleman.

Many people have attempted before to get out of their contracts without success.

The College Network is funded, in reality, by a private loan that lacks the same protections (collection tactics, interest rates, wage garnishment, deferment, forbearance) that come with a government student loan. As I previously mentioned, the College Network is a publishing company, not a school of higher learning, so govt. student loan protections are not applicable when dealing with their loans.

If you were to stop enrolling in courses at a real college, you simply stop paying tuition. Since the College Network isn't a legitimate college, however, you do not pay for courses as you go, like you would at a real school, so you've gotta keep paying them even if you have not taken one single class or passed one single test with them.

Their payment structure is similar to purchasing a set of living room furniture over time with monthly payments. You sign the contract with an agreement to buy all the modules, so you're agreeing to pay for all the modules whether you use them or not. If you change your mind and no longer want to use the modules, too bad (you still must pay). Likewise, if you financed a bunch of living room furniture with an agreement to repay and later changed your mind or developed buyer's remorse, you still must make monthly payments on the furniture since you're bound by a contract.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jan 25, 2014

Hey all! I'm new to this forum just decided to join today! The reason I'm seeking advice/input from my fellow LPN's and RN's is because I was approached by the College Network. I'm graduating from LPN school this June and I want to go right back for my RN. TCN approached me and told me about their online program and how they try and get you in with Excelsior College (I live in NY so EC is recognized here). What I want to know is if this is a huge mistake and if I should cancel my contract (I signed up yesterday) with TCN and just go back to a regular college for my RN. Has anyone had any experience with this? Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys![/quote']
They are not affiliated with Excelsior and cannot help you get admitted. Excelsior specifically cautions against using 3rd party companies and their expensive study guides. You will be taking out a private loan to finance their expensive study guides with no guarantee that the material is consistent with the requirements of excelsior. You cannot cancel the loan if you don't start or complete the program. They are not a student loan and therefore federal protections regarding collection practices and interest rates do not apply. Have an attorney review the contract to protect your interests.
Search the forum and online to see what others have gone through

BrillyD · Jan 25, 2014

Yes - You should cancel your contract! Send it certified mail with signature immediately!!! If you don't cancel within 3 days you are stuck. You can enroll and go through Excelsior College directly and save several THOUSAND dollars! I've read that alot of the TCN study guides don't cover the stuff on the exams very well. You can get study guides way cheaper, even the TCN ones on ebay or amazon with no contract!

Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2014

Yup, many horror stories with the CN. If you can get out of it, do it.

I have a friend of mine that went with them (even after I told him not to) and he regrets it severely. He does not like their study material and the way they structure their stuff. He failed his 2nd nursing exam (don't remember which one, maybe Fundamentals?) after doing their whole thing.

I let him use my study guide I used (I went through DLSI, not endorsing them, that is just who I used, many have gripes about them too) and he liked it much better. He has quit using the CN materials (but still has to pay for it).

As said above, you don't need CN to get into Excelsior, you can do it on your own.

mariacristina · Jan 25, 2014

Hey everyone!

Thanks so much for your advice! I have been searching the internet for people who have experience with TCN and I haven't seen one happy customer! It just isn't sitting right with me and my gut is telling me to cancel so that is what I plan on doing. I already e-mailed customer service, I plan on calling them during their business hours tomorrow and mailing a cancellation letter via certified mail on Monday morning. I think that my gut is right and I need to get away from TCN. A traditional LPN-RN program may take a little longer and a little more effort/time, but it will be worth it. Thanks again for your help! I'll keep you posted on how canceling goes!

Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN · Jan 26, 2014

If you are good with doing online schooling on your own then I would cancel. College Network is a 3rd party and is not associated with Excelsior. I am directly signed up with Excelsior. College Network will charge you about 10,000 just to take practice tests and give you the same study materials that Excelsior has so dont do it.

Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN · Jan 26, 2014

Oh and by the way, that $10,000 and $12,000 does not include the fees and tuition forExcelsior.

mariacristina · Jan 27, 2014

Just wanted to update you all and tell you that I called TCN today and canceled my membership with them! Not worth it!

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jan 27, 2014

Just wanted to update you all and tell you that I called TCN today and canceled my membership with them! Not worth it!

Follow up in writing via certified mail return receipt requested. Telephone call is not sufficient in many states. Include names, dates, times, screen shots of phone logs as evidence you called to cancel by deadline.

mariacristina · Jan 27, 2014

Ok I'll definitely do that today! I got a confirmation email saying my account was canceled!