1. What is Penn Foster?


2. What type of courses do you have?


3. How do the courses work?


4. When can I start? Are the courses only offered at certain times of the year?


5. How long do the courses take?


6. How do I enroll in a course?


7. How do I enroll in or start an apprenticeship?


8. How do I take the test in the back of the book for the courses?


9. What if I fail a test?


10. What do I do if I have questions or problems with my course?


11. Who keeps my records and how can I get them?


12. How much do the courses cost?


13. How do I make payments?


14. Are there discounts?

What is Penn Foster?

Penn Foster is the oldest and largest distance learning school in America. The company is over 118 years old and has a library consisting of over 3000 courses.

What type of courses do you have?

The Penn Foster library consists of over 3,000 courses, covering multiple delivery options: independent, print-based study units, video, computer based CDs and multimedia packaged programs. These courses are in the fields of: apprenticeships, industrial trades, safety, law, tax, financial services, higher education (High School/Associate/Bachelor Degrees), reference information, corporate training, course assessment, scientific research and healthcare, as well as certificate courses.

How do the courses work?

The courses are received in book form in the mail or downloaded through the Internet. The courses are then read and studied, any extra activities should be completed and once the student is comfortable all test should be taken. Once they are taken and the course completed successfully, the student will receive an overall grade average and Certificate or Diploma as warranted.

When can I start? Are the courses only offered at certain times of the year?

You can start almost immediately after enrollment and enrollment can be done at anytime. There is no waiting for a certain semester or a course to come around; they are always open and ready to start.

How long do the courses take?

The courses are designed for self-study and incorporate a programmed learning approach. Each section is reinforced with self-check quizzes. The student's mastery of each study unit is substantiated with a Penn Foster graded exam. Since the courses are designed for self-study, completion will depend upon the efforts of the student. However, most courses will be completed much quicker than in a traditional setting. The student will not have to worry about being slowed down by others or taking more time when it is needed on certain subjects.

How do I enroll in a course?

Enrollment can be done right over the phone or by a letter in the mail to:

Toll Free: 800-778-9774

Penn Foster
301 Rosin Drive
Chestertown, MD 21620
Attn: Chris Whitehair

*Make all checks/payments addressed to - Penn Foster

How do I enroll in or start an apprenticeship?

If an apprenticeship is already established in your State you can enroll like any other course. If you would like to start an apprenticeship I will need to contact your States Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) and with your help an apprenticeship more than likely can be established.

How do I take the test for the courses in the back of the books?

There are four (4) options to taking the test:

1. Test can be taken online, using the Internet and logging into the students account.
2. Students can use the telephone, by dialing an 800# and use the keypad to answer the questions.
3. The test can be faxed in for grading.
4. The test can be sent through the mail.

With these four options, the courses can be taken from just about anywhere at anytime.

*If this is an In-House program instructors will be provided with an answer key or they can be submitted to Penn Foster for grading.

What if I fail a test?

If you fail a test you must wait five (5) days and then attempt to pass the test. All failed test must be retaken at least one (1) time, regardless of the student's grade point average.

What do I do if I have questions or problems with my course?

All nontechnical questions (Billing, shipments, setting up courses, time, orders etc.) about the courses should be directed to Christopher Whitehair.

The students will be given an 800# Hotline for any technical question that they may have within the courses themselves.

Who keeps my records and how can I get them?

Penn Foster keeps and stores all records of courses that are taken. They can be retrieved at any time and a copy will be sent by Email, Fax or Mail

How much do the courses cost? How do I make payments?

The courses can be purchased at the base price of single individual courses, just the ones you want, or you can purchase an entire Block (a combination of like courses), or an entire outline of courses, such as, an apprenticeship which would contain individual courses and Blocks. They can be purchased in full or with a down payment and monthly payments following. After the initial down payment is made the student will receive a monthly bill until it is paid in full.

Are there discounts?

Some courses are allowed to have discounts applied to them. Please call to question which ones.

Part of the criteria, of the three (3) type of discounts are:

1. Number of students enrolling at one time.
2. Length of the outline
3. How much of a down payment is made and/or if it is paid in full.