Looking for a way to get your high school diploma or a college degree online? You’ll want to read this.
Today, the FTC announced a case against several companies that sold fake high school diplomas online. The companies claimed you could become a high school graduate and earn an “official” diploma by paying $200 to $300 in fees and taking their online multiple-choice test. They also promised you could use these online diplomas the same way you would use a traditional diploma or a GED®: to apply for jobs, enroll in college, and “receive the recognition you aspire for in life.”
However, the FTC charged that getting a diploma from Jefferson High School Online or Enterprise High School Online was not the same as earning a traditional high school diploma or a GED® certificate. According to the FTC’s complaint, people who used these diplomas to try to get into college, apply for jobs, or enlist in the military were turned down because their diplomas were not valid; neither Jefferson nor Enterprise was a legitimate or accredited online school, and the diplomas they offered were worthless.
While many online schools provide legitimate degrees to students, others are selling sham degrees. Diploma mills exist solely to make money, not to provide an education. And many bogus degree programs have well-designed websites, familiar sounding names, and fake testimonials to seem legitimate.
How can you tell if you’re dealing with a diploma mill? Ads might say that the program:
- charges you a flat fee for the degree
- offers a degree in a few months, weeks, or even just days
- requires little or no course work, and no interaction with teachers
- offers a degree for your “work or life experience” alone
Before you pay for a credential, do a little homework that goes beyond the organization’s own website. Search for reviews of an online high school or college and for the organization’s name on the Better Business Bureau site. You might find some valuable insights from others. If you’re looking specifically for an online college degree program, check the Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to see whether the school is accredited.
For more details, check out our article on diploma mills, as well as information provided by the Department of Education. And if you think you’ve dealt with a diploma mill, we want to hear about it at ftc.gov/complaint.
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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.
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In reply to WELL WHICH SCHL. DID NOT MAK by MEGA JARHEAD007
According to the FTC’s complaint, Jefferson High School Online and Enterprise High School Online are two of the names used by these dishonest companies. The FTC's press release has more details.
In reply to So what happens to the people by Patti629
In reply to i need my diploma soon what by wonderful5
Hello, If you’re looking specifically for an online college degree program, check the Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs to see whether the school is accredited.
In reply to i need my diploma soon what by wonderful5
In reply to is Pacific high acredited? by lisa135
You can report your problem with a school to your state attorney general's office or local consumer protection agency, and file a complaint at www.ftc.gov/complaint. If you took a federal student loan, and are having a problem with a lender, contact the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman at 1-877-557-2575.
In reply to is Pacific high acredited? by lisa135
In reply to is Pacific high acredited? by lisa135
In reply to Is New Learning Resources of by anwynweiss
In reply to I signed up for enterprise by danny_0416
In reply to I signed up for enterprise by danny_0416
Hello, If you'd like the FTC to look into a company's practices, please file a complaint at ftc.gov/complaint. We use your complaints to investigate companies and bring lawsuits. Unfortunately, we can't address complaints if they are submitted through blog comments.
In reply to Are there any online high by siezlist
Hello, you could try searching for reviews of an online high school or college and for the organization’s name on the Better Business Bureau site. You might find some valuable insights from others.
In reply to Are there any online high by siezlist
In reply to Are there any online high by siezlist
In reply to Is Pacific High School fake ? by la-la-land
In reply to Are you people serious? If by peony
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In reply to I want to know if the Pacific by corissalove
If your problem is with a school, you can contact your state attorney general's office or local consumer protection agency, and file a complaint at www.ftc.gov/complaint. If you took a federal student loan, and are having a problem with a lender, contact the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman at 1-877-557-2575.
In reply to I'm interested in getting my by freemea
Before you pay to get a degree, check more than the organization’s own website. Search for reviews of an online high school or college and for the organization’s name on the Better Business Bureau site. Read more about diploma mills, or companies that take your money for a degree that isn't legitimate.
In reply to Is West Madison Falls High by kellil
In reply to paid over $300 for diploma by tamara
You can report this to your state and local consumer protection agencies. Check with your local school district to see if they have classes to earn a high school degree.
In reply to I got my high school diploma by Jane
You can report this to your state and local consumer protection agencies. Check with your local school district to see if they have classes to earn a high school degree.
In reply to I got my high school diploma by Jane
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In reply to Does anyone know if James by Karen22
Before you sign up for a school, check it out. A school that does these things might not be legitimate:
To check on an online school, check with your state attorney general's office to make sure the school is operating legally in your state. Ask if anyone has filed a complaint about the school.
In reply to Does anyone know if James by Karen22
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