Zero Tuition for College Students

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Aug. 14 /EMWNews/ -- Andrew Jackson University has

introduced a sponsored tuition program that eliminates tuition, the major

component of costs borne by students. Early response to this zero tuition

program has been overwhelming, prompting the university to limit the number

of applicants to one hundred per month. University president Don Kassner

stated the monthly applicant limit will increase gradually.



    Andrew Jackson University administrators were attempting to keep the

zero tuition program quiet until social network styled strategy and

technology were in place. But online detective work by a potential student

uncovered the beta test of the zero tuition program and posted comments on

an Internet discussion board.



    Participants on the discussion board tried to figure out what "the

catch" was, and some contacted the university directly with probing

questions. Satisfied the sponsored tuition program was legitimate, they

were further surprised to learn that the total cost, excluding books, for

the first semester -- three graduate courses -- topped out at $615. This

caused quite a stir, and prompted questions like "How can you do this?" and

"Are undergraduate courses less expensive?"



    Mr. Kassner explained Andrew Jackson University's zero tuition program

by saying, "Most universities spend a tremendous amount of money to recruit

students. Many spend as much as thirty-five percent of their revenue on

marketing and advertising. They have to keep their tuition high to recover

these costs. We eliminated these costs by structuring relationships with

strategic partners that refer potential students to us. Therefore, we can

operate a quality, degree granting institution without the escalating

tuition and excessive fees deemed necessary by many schools."



    In 1997, educator and management guru Peter Drucker, commenting in

Forbes, said, "Do you realize that the cost of higher education has risen

as fast as the cost of health care? Such totally uncontrollable

expenditures, without any visible improvement in either the content or the

quality of education, means that the system is rapidly becoming untenable."

Andrew Jackson University's innovative strategy of containing costs while

passing the savings on to students would likely meet with Drucker's

approval today.

    About Andrew Jackson University (AJU)



    Founded in 1994 and first accredited in 1998, AJU offers three masters,

three bachelors and five associate degree programs, all online. See

http://www.aju.edu or call 800-429-9300, ext. 1.






    Press Release Contact Information:

    Don Kassner

    President

    Andrew Jackson University

    205-451-2072

    [email protected]

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