Excelsior College Helen Bopp Another Soldier getting the shaft from EXCELSIOR College Internet, Internet

I have recently resolved the situation with Excelsior College.  I would like to add a retraction to my posting. 

I mentioned in my post "Helen Bopp" was responsible for my withdraw/ situation.  I went back and reviewed my email chains and phone calls.  I have concluded that Helen Bopp had nothing to do with my particular situation.  I apologize for any grief I may have caused her or her family.

From the Author of the Post:  I have been communicating with Exclesior College and I have the two following updates.

1.  The issue has been resolved to my satisfaction;  I realize the problem I found myself in was 100% my fault.  My only concern was the totality of the situation.  850.00 in todays economy is a really big deal and would affect most people.  Me and my family are most people.  The thing that upset me the most was that I have been a student with Excelsior/ Regents college for years.  When problems like this came up before they were dealt with compassion, decency and mutual respect. 

2.  I have went back and reviewed my string of emails, and have concluded that Helen Bopp was not the person that made the decision to drop me from my class.  She was caught in the middle of this situation.  I am sorry I mentioned her name.  I would like to retract that part of my initial statement.  Helen Bopp had nothing to do with my situation.  I apologize if I caused her or her family any undue stress.

First of all, thank you for your service :-)  As a veteran and one who has extensive experience in higher education (in a military environment), I can appreciate your struggle to complete your degree while on active duty.

That being said, the fact that you are a soldier is really irrelevant in this case. Every college I've worked for would have done essentially the same thing. If you drop a course after the official add/drop date, you have to pay for it. Period. The exception would be (at my school) if you had to drop for a sudden deployment or other military reason.  In that case your TA would have been paid. Based on what you said, I'm assuming that the TA was paid to Excelsior and now the army is asking you to pay it back.

Although Helen may have been less than helpful to you, her advice was sound. If you ARE proficient in math, a CLEP would have been the way to go. I believe the military offers them for free for service members, allowing you to save your TA dollars for the other courses. And no, Helen doesn't know you and your wife are on a fixed income.

Please don't give up on your education, and I hope you're feeling better soon!