Independent/Student-Athlete Frequently Asked Questions

Independent/Student-Athlete Frequently Asked Questions

Step 1: Review the Course Catalog
Learn more about the objectives for each course and review what will be expected from each student. These are college courses and require college work. Please always verify with your current or prospective institution and the university you select to ensure our courses are right for you.

All demo courses will contain current course information in the "Syllabus" tab for those who need quick access to decide on enrolling in a course or to check if this course aligns with their distinctive programs.
  1. Demo Courses & Syllabi
The courses are self-paced, and students who enroll in a course have a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of six months to complete the course.
Step 2: Choose a College or University Partner
TEL Education allows students to enroll into self-paced courses (all year-round) through our regionally accredited university partners. Review the different regionally accredited university partners on the Universities page. Check out the course offerings. Choose the university that fits your academic goals, whether that’s a school you want to enroll in full-time or one that aligns with your outlook.
Step 3: Purchase and Register
Choose from our on-demand, regionally accredited universities. Click "Learn More" to view course equivalencies, or "Purchase Courses" to enroll via the university’s purchasing site. After selecting the course and the university, add the course to your cart.

The courses are $75 per credit hour, $225 for a three-hour course, and $300 for a four- to five-hour course. The course price is all-inclusive.

**Students CANNOT take more than four courses per semester.**
(Fall, Spring, Summer)

Choose a Credit-Granting Partner to See the Courses Available:

Briar Cliff University

Learn More | Purchase Courses

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McMurry University

Learn More | Purchase Courses

Disclaimer: McMurry University only accepts current high school students through the TEL Education program. College and adult students are not eligible to enroll at McMurry University and should select Briar Cliff University instead.
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Oklahoma Christian University

Learn More | Purchase Courses

Disclaimer: Oklahoma Christian University only accepts current high school students through the TEL Education program. College and adult students are not eligible to enroll at Oklahoma Christian University and should select Briar Cliff University instead.

Once you have received your purchase confirmation email and submitted the course registration form at checkout, a welcome letter will be sent to your student email either from telindependents@tel-education.org or wordpress@shop-tel.org (depending on the purchasing site). 

Note: The purchaser's account is NOT for accessing courses. Courses are accessed through the TEL Canvas platform. You will receive two email confirmations: one after purchase and another after registration.
  1. Order Confirmation Letter—This is sent to the purchaser’s email. The next step is to fill out the registration form linked above the course order number. Your student won't be enrolled if the registration form isn't completed.
  2. Welcome Letter—After submitting the registration form, your student will receive a welcome letter within 24-48 hours. Ensure correct spelling of email addresses to avoid missing notifications. This letter includes your course dates, introductory information, TEL’s Policies, and Canvas login guidance. (Please check your spam folder if you do not see it in your primary inbox.)
Step 4: Complete the Course
Each course contains 60 to 70 lessons and combines written material, videos, and quizzes to help students understand the material. The mastery assignments for each course are designed to help students do more than repeat the material. They help students analyze, break it down, and apply it to other situations.

Course Timeframes: Students will not receive credit for completed courses faster than the time frames below. (The weeks are counted consecutively, not concurrently)
  • One Course =  Two consecutive weeks (14 days) from the enrollment date. The final exam can be taken 14 days from the enrollment date or after.
    • If you buy/add another (1) course within 7 days of your original purchase, it will count as two courses. You cannot complete either course in less than 4 weeks.
    • If you add/buy two (2) more courses within seven (7)  days of your original purchase, they will count as three (3) courses. You cannot complete any of the three courses in less than six weeks (42 days). 

  • Two Courses = Four consecutive weeks (28 days) from the enrollment date. Both final exams can be taken 28 days from the enrollment date or after.

  • Three Courses = Six consecutive weeks (42 days) from the enrollment date. ALL final exams can be taken 42 days from the enrollment date or after.

  • Four Courses = Eight consecutive weeks (56 days) from the enrollment date. ALL final exams can be taken 56 days from the enrollment date or after.
Expect at least 2 weeks of active participation per course:
  1. Most courses require approximately 150 hours.
  2. ≈20 hours on major assignments.
  3. The remainder of the time will be spent on readings and videos, discussions, practice exercises, quizzes, midterm & final exam preparation.
Add/Drop Date:
You have 7 days from the date of purchase to drop a course and receive a full refund. Due to the length of time given, extensions are not available.

Withdrawal Date: You may withdraw from a course & receive a “W” on your official transcript within 8-30 days of purchase. However, if a student completes more than 75% of the course, a “W” will not be granted.

Maximum Load: No more than four (4) courses per semester (Fall, Spring, Summer).

Payments: TEL Education does not offer payment plans or accept financial aid, Pell Grants, the GI Bill, or scholarships.

Enrollment Verification Letter: This will be provided upon request. The student must request it via email at telindependents@tel-education.org or support@tel-education.org.

Since TEL Education is not your Institution, TEL does not have to fill out 1098-T Forms. However, TEL can only provide students with an enrollment verification letter as proof of enrollment in the TEL course and the amount paid for each course. 
Step 5: Request a Transcript
To ensure you receive course credit, you cannot finish faster than these timeframes:

Minimums:
  1. 1 course: 14 days from enrollment
    1. ​The final exam will unlock 14 days from the date of enrollment or after.
  2. 2 courses: 28 days from enrollment
    1. Both final exams must be taken 28 days from the date of enrollment or after.
  3. 3 courses: 42 days from enrollment
    1. ​All three final exams must be taken 42 days from the date of enrollment or after.
  4. 4 courses: 56 days from enrollment
    1. ​All three final exams must be taken 56 days from the date of enrollment or after.
Maximum = Course End Date: Six months (180 days) from purchase date.

All final grades are reported to your chosen university partner after your course end date (six months from your enrollment date). Upon enrollment and registration submission, the course start date is initiated by the Welcome/Login Credentials letter sent to the student’s email.

If you complete your course before the scheduled end date and need your grades sent early, please follow the five (5) steps outlined below in the Official Transcript Ordering Process. All communication regarding final grades will come from telindependents@tel-education.org. To ensure you receive these updates, please add this email to your contacts to prevent messages from going to your spam folder.
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Official Transcript Ordering Process: 
(**This process could take up to 10 business days**)
  1. Once you have completed your course(s), submit the Final Grade Request Form. This notifies our academic team to conduct a final review of your completed course(s).
  2. Final Grade Processing – After the review, our academic team will process your final grade(s) and send them to your designated university partner.
  3. Confirmation Email – You will receive an email from telindependents@tel-education.org once your grade(s) have been sent to the designated university for transcription.
  4. University Processing—The university processes your final grade(s) in its system and finalizes your official transcript.
  5. Order Your Transcript – Follow the university’s transcript request process to request and pay for your official transcript. Official transcripts can be sent to an address of your choosing.

Important Reminders:

  • TEL does not provide unofficial transcripts.
  • TEL is not your university that issues your official transcript upon successful completion.
  • Please allow the University’s Registrar up to 10 days to process your official transcript.
  • Instructors are not involved in the grade finalization process.

Ordering Your Official Transcript

Since TEL Education is only a course provider and not your college or university, TEL reports all finalized grades to your credit-granting university 1-2 weeks after the official course ends, unless you have submitted the Final Grade Request Form for early release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Grading Timeline for Mastery Assignments?

  • All graded assignments should be returned to you in five to seven business days. 
  • Timelines may be longer during peak times, such as the beginning and end of semesters. 

Q: What if student have questions on assignments or other course material?

We encourage student to contact their course instructor for from the Canvas Inbox for course content and assignment related questions.

Q: When are the upcoming enrollment dates for self-paced courses?

  • Our Partner, Briar Cliff University, is accepting student-athletes, adult learners, and high school and homeschool students who wish to register for self-paced courses. 
  • The Fall 2025 registration period is Open from August 1st until January 12th, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST for Briar Cliff University. 
    • Whereas the Spring 2026 registration window begins on January 13th.

  • Additional University Partners accepting high school-level students:

    Q: How do I know the semester term of my courses in my official transcript?

    • The semester term is determined when the student enrolls in the course, not when they complete it.

    Q: Does TEL offer payment plans?

    • TEL Education does not offer payment plans or accept financial aid, Pell Grants, the GI Bill, or scholarships.

    Q: Why does my card get declined?

    • As a cardholder, you may need to contact your bank to verify and authorize this transaction and the amount. The bank likely enforces this restriction because this is your first purchase on our site.

    Q: If I dropped a course/s, does it count towards my current term enrollment?

    • No, it does not count towards the current enrollment term.

    Q: If I withdraw from a course/s, does it count towards my current term enrollment?

    • Yes, it does count towards the current enrollment term.

    Q: How long does a course refund take?

    •  Expect approved refunds to appear in your bank account within 5-10 business days.

    Q: When can I drop, add, or switch a course?

    • To switch a course, you must request it via email telindependents@tel-education.org. You must provide the course order number of the original course you would like to switch.

    Q: When can I withdraw from the course?

    • You may withdraw from a course & receive a “W” on your official transcript within 8-30 days of purchase. However, if a student completes more than 75% of the course, a “W” will not be granted. Withdrawal Request Form

    Q: Can I switch credit-granting university, and what is the process?

    Q: I want to raise my grade and retake the course. What is the process?

    • To be eligible to retake/repeat a TEL course, you must fill out the Course Retake Form and wait for approval before purchasing the course.
    • If you wish to retake a course you completed at your previous school, you do not need to fill out the form. This form is only required if you have taken the TEL course previously.

    Q: Does TEL have to fill out 1098-T Forms?

    Since TEL Education is not your Institution, TEL does not have to fill out 1098-T Forms. However, TEL can only provide students with an enrollment verification letter as proof of enrollment in the TEL course and the amount paid for each course. 
    Support & Hours of Operation
    Hours of Operation: 8 AM–5 PM CST, Monday–Friday

     

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