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The 10 Best Online CFP Programs

July 2, 2021 • FA Staff

A new resource allows prospective CFP professionals to assess online options for attaining the mark.

TheBestSchools, a website for those searching for the right college, has CFP online programs according to the quality of their programs, types of courses offered, faculty, awards and school reputation for effectively providing online degree programs.

Here, in ascending order, are the website's rundown on the top 10 best online CFP programs:

10. Rice University Houston

The Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University offers an online CFP certificate program consisting of seven courses in the principles of financial planning, including risk management; investment planning; and tax planning. The online graduate certificate program culminates in a capstone project. 

9. University of Missouri Columbia, Mo.

The university’s Personal Financial Planning Department offers an online graduate certificate program in family pinancial planning that prepares students to take the CFP exam. Registered with the CFP Board of Standards, the online program curriculum includes courses in risk management and employee benefits. 

8. University of Florida Gainesville, Fla.

The university’s Department of Family, Youth, and Community Services offers an online professional development program in personal and family planning, which is CFP Board-registered and prepares students to take the CFP exam. The non-credit graduate certificate online program consists of six courses and a capstone project. 

7. California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, Calif.

The School of Management at California Lutheran University offers a financial planning online certificate program registered with the CFP Board of Standards, which prepares students for CFP certification. Consisting of eight courses and a capstone project, the USDLA award-winning online graduate certificate finance planning program can be completed in an average time of 18 months. 

6. DePaul University Chicago

DePaul University’s Financial Planning Education Center offers an online e-financial planning certificate program registered with the CFP Board of Standards., which prepares students for CFP certification. Students can complete the rigorous six-course graduate certificate program in 18 months.

5. University of California – Irvine Irvine, Calif.

The Division of Continuing Education at the University of California – Irvine offers an online certified financial planning certificate program registered with the CFP Board of Standards, which prepares students for the CFP exam. Students can complete the eight-course online certificate program in as little time as one year, and course credits can be transferred toward an MBA in financial planning at California Lutheran University. 

4. University of California Los Angeles Extension Los Angeles

The University of California Los Angeles Extension offers an online personal financial planning certificate program. Registered with the CFP Board of Standards, the nine-course certificate program, which includes a capstone project, prepares students for the CFP exam. The university also provides networking opportunities to students through its corporate partnerships, and outreach program affiliations and centers. 

3. Kansas State University Manhattan, Kan.

The Institute of Personal Financial Planning offers an online graduate certificate in personal financial planning. The certificate program, registered with the CFP Board of Standards, is designed to prepare students for the CFP exam in as little as 14 months. The six-course program focuses on financial planning for families. Upon completion, students can transfer the program’s 18 credit hours toward a related master’s degree program at the university. 

2. Boston University Boston

The Center for Professional Education offers an online financial planning certificate program that prepares students with a bachelor's degree to take the CFP exam. Registered with the CFP Board of Standards, the seven-course online graduate certificate program includes a capstone project. The online program can be completed in nine to 12 months. 

1. The College for Financial Planning – A Kaplan Company Centennial, Colo.

The full report can be viewed here .

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Top-Ranked Online CFP ® Program

Self-paced and fully online program Complete in less than one year

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Enroll and Save $2,570 including a FREE CFP ® Exam Review and $500 toward your exam fee!

Premium package — best value.

Save $2,570 vs. purchase of 7 individual courses, books, and exam review

Finish in as fast as 9–12 months 21-month Online Access 7 Courses Books Included Free Exam Review Included* $500 Reimbursement toward CFP ® exam fee!

$6,295 $4,995

Core Package

Save $1,270 vs. purchase of 7 individual courses and books

Finish in as fast as 9–12 months 21-month Online Access 7 Courses Books Included

*The CFP ® Exam review class is not a BU course and is provided by an independent vendor.

Individual Courses

Does not include books or exam review

Learn more about your path to CFP® certification with BU.

Watch a replay of our program overview webinar with Program Director Phuong Luong, CFP ® .

Experience World-Class Education at Boston University

The Financial Planning program is an interactive, multimedia educational experience that meets the educational requirements to sit for the CFP ® certification exam and can open doors to exciting career opportunities.

Flexibility Meets Lifestyle with BU’s CFP ® Program

Time is money, so learn at your own pace with Boston University’s online Financial Planning Program. With rolling enrollment, you can start any time of the year with 24/7 access to course content, including instructional webinars and videos. Study on your own schedule and at your own pace, with expert guidance from Boston University’s esteemed instructors, each of whom is a CFP ® professional. Plus, with a facilitator available via email and dedicated to your success, you’ll have the support you need every step of the way.

Our Graduates Excel on the CFP ® Exam

Over the last 10 years, 86% of the BU students that sat for the CFP ® Exam passed the exam! With an industry-leading pass rate, over 350 graduates annually, and an acclaimed 40-year-old program, we’re invested in your success.

Not All CFP ® Programs Are Created Equal

What makes boston university’s financial planning certificate program the right choice for me.

We know you need a program that fits into your busy lifestyle, so our financial planning program lets you study on your schedule. You’ll have the flexibility to learn at your own pace with 24/7 access to a range of top-notch instructional materials, including webinars and videos on topics ranging from investments and securities to tax and retirement planning. Once you’ve completed our certificate program, you’ll be ready to make your next big career move in the financial planning industry.

How does Boston University’s CFP ® exam pass rate compare to other programs?

Over the last 10 years, 86% of the BU students that sat for the CFP ® Exam passed the exam! Our program ranks well above the national average and our competitors. BU’s industry-leading instructors, who are also practicing CFP ® professionals, are here to help so that you can take the exam with confidence.

What are the different options for enrolling in the program?

Our Premium Package offers the best value with an average of 15% or $2,570 in savings compared to purchasing the 7 individual courses, books, and CFP ® exam review separately. It includes 21-month online access to 7 courses along with books and a free CFP ® exam review for $4,995. This package includes all the resources you need to reach your goals while affording you the flexibility to complete the program in 9, 12, 18, or 21 months.

The Core Package offers $1,270 in savings compared to purchasing 7 individual courses and the required books separately. For $4,995, you’ll receive 7 courses that you can access online for 21 months as well as the books you’ll need for each course.

You can also purchase courses individually at full price. This option provides you with 3 months of access to a selected course and may be the right choice for individuals who need more time to progress through the program.

Gain a Competitive Edge in a Growing Profession

Invest in yourself and your future with Boston University’s Financial Planning program. With a curriculum that covers everything from investment planning to estate planning, you’ll gain the skills and credentials you need to navigate the constantly evolving landscape of financial planning. Over the next decade, the finance industry is projected to experience significant growth, so make a career move that pays off and get started today.

“ The BU program did an excellent job of providing me with the foundational knowledge I needed to pass the exam, even with limited professional experience. I’m now on my way to fulfilling the hour requirement. The BU Financial Planning program had resources and opportunities for me at every stage of the educational process. I feel tremendously grateful for the well-rounded educational experience I had at BU! ” Abraham Kirby-Galen, Single Point Partners

“ The Boston University program is convenient for working professionals. I was able to access the program from any computer and take the reading with me on the go. Also, the quizzes and tests were very helpful in solidifying the information I had learned. ” Rebecca Clark, CFP ® , The Vanguard Group

“ Boston University’s Financial Planning Program online was a great program for preparing for the CFP ® Exam. I learned all the needed topics covered on the exam, but what I found most beneficial was that you can work at your own pace on your own computer. ” William H. Bender II, CFP ® , Merrill Lynch

Invest in Your Career with Boston University

To learn more, contact an Enrollment Advisor at +1-617-502-8822 or complete the form below.

Boston University respects your right to privacy. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information, check out our Privacy Policy . Consent is needed to contact you, but is not a requirement to register or enroll.

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Boston University does not certify individuals to use CFP ® , CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP ®  (with plaque design) in the U.S. CFP ®  certification is granted solely by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience, and examination requirements.

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How To Choose The Best CFP Exam Review Program (For You)

November 29, 2021 07:08 am 2 Comments CATEGORY: Personal/Career Development

Executive Summary

The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation is one of the most respected credentials for financial advisors and the process to earn it is rigorous. Candidates must fulfill education, experience, and ethics requirements, in addition to passing the comprehensive CFP Exam, a 170-question, multiple-choice test taken across two 3-hour sessions in one day. Material on the CFP Exam is categorized into the CFP Board’s eight principal knowledge topics, which range from retirement savings and income planning to investment planning, professional conduct, and regulation. With a general recommendation that exam takers study for at least 150 hours before the exam, the cost in time and money of failing can be high. Furthermore, given that the exam covers a broad range of financial planning topics, having an organized and disciplined study routine is a necessity to pass the exam.

Accordingly, CFP exam review courses can be a good option to help exam takers not only review the material that will be on the test but also develop strategies for preparing for and taking the exam. The core of most CFP exam review programs is based on instructor-led review sessions that typically come with extensive pre-study materials, which can include condensed reviews of the principal knowledge topics and practice questions, as well as questions and mock exams to help exam-takers gauge their progress and practice in similar conditions as the actual exam. While the core elements of most CFP exam review programs are similar, they differ in their method of delivery, level of personalization, and cost. Instructor-led sessions for some programs can be held synchronously, either in person or livestreamed virtually, while others are held asynchronously, with recorded lectures available to view on demand. Some programs also offer more personalized instruction, from one-on-one video coaching to email access to instructors. Certain programs also offer students some form of exam-pass guarantee, which can range from being able to retake the program for free, to receiving a refund of the program cost.

With more than twenty different CFP exam review options to choose from, exam takers can methodically approach selecting a program by first deciding whether to take a synchronous or asynchronous program. While synchronous programs can be good for exam takers who want (or need) the structure of set schedules, asynchronous programs can be useful for those with unpredictable schedules and the discipline to complete the program on their own. Individuals can then consider other important factors (e.g., group size, guarantees, and cost) that are most important to them based on their preferred learning style and budget. As an alternative, exam takers with very tight budgets can choose a self-study approach using printed review materials and practice questions without the lecture component.

Ultimately, the key point is that while there is no single ‘best’ CFP exam review program that will be suitable for all test takers, those taking the exam can consider their individual situation to narrow the field of available programs. And while there is no guarantee that an individual will pass the CFP exam after taking a review program, these programs can greatly improve the quality and efficiency of the strategy the exam taker chooses when preparing for the exam. Which is important, because passing the CFP exam requires a high level of commitment and hard work – and finding the right method to review and prepare can make a big difference in helping prospective test takers pass the exam!

Author: Adam Van Deusen, CFP

Adam is a Financial Planning Nerd at Kitces.com . He previously worked at a financial planning firm in Bethesda, Maryland, and as a journalist covering the banking and insurance industries. Outside of work, he serves as a volunteer financial planner and class instructor for local and national non-profits.

Read more of Adam’s articles here .

The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation is one of the most respected credentials for financial advisors, and research has shown that advisors with the designation earn more income and bring in more revenue for their firms than those without it. The benefits of attaining the CFP designation are not just monetary, though, as there are psychological benefits as well. Advisors report that some of the top benefits of holding the designation are enhanced credibility, self-confidence with clients, and technical expertise.

Requirements To Earn CFP Certification

For those pursuing the CFP designation, a range of requirements must be met. These include fulfilling the “Four E’s” of meeting CFP Board’s standard for financial planning: completing a CFP Board Registered Program in financial planning and earning an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university (Education); having sufficient professional work history related to the financial planning process, which typically consists of 6,000 hours, equivalent to approximately 3 years of full-time work (Experience); fulfilling an Ethics requirement;  and passing the CFP Exam , a rigorous 170-question, multiple-choice test taken across two 3-hour sessions over one day.

The CFP exam is scored on a pass/fail basis, and in the July 2021 exam administration , 62% of all test takers passed; those taking the exam for the first time had a pass rate of 65%, and those who had taken the exam previously had a pass rate of 52%.

The CFP exam has been in its current form as a six-hour, 170-question, computer-based test since November 2014. Before that, the exam was 285 questions, paper-based, and given over ten hours. The changes not only reduced the time commitment to take the exam from two days to one, but also allowed for faster reporting of exam results ; while those who took the exam before the 2014 changes had to wait five weeks for their results, exam-takers today now receive preliminary results immediately after completing the test !

The test covers a broad range of financial planning topics, making an organized and disciplined study routine a necessity to pass the exam . The material is categorized into the CFP Board’s eight principal knowledge topics : retirement savings and income planning (approximately 18% of the exam questions); investment planning (17%); general principles of financial planning (15%); tax planning (14%); risk management and insurance planning (11%); estate planning (10%); professional conduct and regulation (8%); and psychology of financial planning (7%).

Following its 2021 Practice Analysis Study , CFP Board updated its list of principal knowledge topics, adding a new domain, The Psychology of Financial Planning, and consolidating the Education Planning category within the general financial planning principles category. The updated topics will begin to appear on the exam beginning with the March 2022 administration.

While some students might feel comfortable studying for the exam without outside assistance, a range of CFP exam review programs are also available. Many of these review programs offer participants an efficient, structured process to study for the exam, but the best program for a given individual will differ based on their budget, learning preferences, and study habits.

What CFP Exam Review Programs Provide

Those who are planning to take the CFP exam come with a variety of experiences and degrees of preparation. Some may be scheduled to take the exam coming right out of an undergraduate financial planning program, while others may take it soon after completing an adult education financial planning certificate program. Still others might have worked in the financial planning industry for several years between completing the education requirements and taking the exam.

In all of these cases, it is likely that prospective exam takers will benefit from reviewing the topics covered by the exam and familiarizing themselves with the specific types of questions they will face. CFP exam review programs can help fill these gaps through a combination of in-person or virtual instruction, written materials, and practice tests, offering participants useful strategies for approaching the different types of questions found on the exam in a variety of synchronous and asynchronous formats.

This can potentially lead to improved success on the CFP Exam, as some of the review programs (e.g., Dalton Education and Zahn Associates ) claim that those who complete their programs pass the exam at a higher rate than the general pool of test-takers (although the type of person who completes a review program might differ from the full population of exam takers).

Instructor-Led CFP Exam Review Sessions

The core of most CFP exam review programs is based on instructor-led review sessions that typically provide a condensed review of the full range of topics on the exam, and also offer participants the opportunity to ask clarifying questions.

These sessions are typically taught by CFP professionals with extensive experience preparing students for the exam, not just by offering a review of subject matter material but also by helping students to study more efficiently by familiarizing them with the types of questions expected to appear on the exam.

Review programs also typically come with extensive pre-study materials, which can include condensed reviews of the principal knowledge topics and practice questions to help exam takers gauge their strengths and weaknesses among the range of subjects on the exam.

The programs expect students to spend between 100 and 140 hours working through these materials in advance of attending (or watching) the sessions, so that they are prepared for the intensity of the instructor-led sessions.

CFP Exam Test-Taking Strategies

While reviewing the principal knowledge topics is an essential part of preparing for the exam, it is also important for students to have a strategy for taking the test as efficiently as possible.

First-time CFP exam takers should be familiar with the different types of question formats, and the strict time constraints of the CFP exam.

The CFP exam includes standalone, short-scenario, and case-study questions (CFP Board provides ten free sample questions so prospective test takers can get an idea of the different types of questions that appear on the exam).

CFP Board offers descriptions of each type of question , as follows:

Stand-alone Questions : Stand-alone questions are typically 2-3 sentences long, with 4 answer options to select from. Short Scenario Questions : Scenario-based questions are associated with multiple exam questions – typically 3 questions per scenario. You will see the scenario on the left side of the screen, with one question at a time shown on the right side of the screen. Case Study Questions: Case study questions are like scenario-based questions but longer, with the case study scenario covering several pages, and typically 8-12 questions per case study.

The time it takes to solve each type of question varies significantly, but each question is worth the same amount.

The exam’s case studies – which require test takers to review information about a hypothetical client and answer related questions – can prove to be both challenging and time-consuming, making preparation for these question types particularly important. Review programs offer exam takers not only practice case studies to work on, but also strategies on how to approach them within the broader exam structure so that test takers can use their limited time more efficiently.

Other exam strategies include how best to answer questions when the exam taker is unsure of the answer (because there is no penalty for guessing ), as well as how best to create a mental framework for studying and taking the exam. The review programs also often include guidance on approaching exam questions that require the use of a financial calculator .

CFP Exam Practice Questions And Mock Exams

CFP exam review programs often provide thousands of practice questions, as well as mock exams. The practice questions introduce participants to the style of exam questions (which can vary significantly from the types of questions exam takers might actually receive from their real-life clients!), and come with explanations to show why a certain answer was correct. The practice questions can help exam takers identify their strengths and weaknesses in certain subject areas, as they gauge their progress preparing for the exam, while at the same time familiarizing students with the formats in which exam questions will be asked.

Mock exams are particularly useful because they allow exam takers to practice questions on the full range of topics under the same time constraints they will face on the actual exam. Some exam takers using the mock exams will find that they run out of time well before finishing, while others will have significant time left over; in both cases, students can adjust their approach to the exam as needed.

In the end, review courses help students learn how to maximize their time when they take the actual exam, thereby reducing the risk of running out of time to answer all the questions!

How The CFP Exam Review Programs Differ

While pre-class study material, instructor-led sessions, and practice questions are common features of most comprehensive CFP exam review programs, the programs can vary across a few areas, such as whether they are synchronous or asynchronous, the amount of personalized feedback offered, and cost. Exam takers should consider the factors that are most important and impactful to them in each of these aspects when selecting a program.

Synchronous Vs Asynchronous CFP Exam Review Instruction

Individuals preparing for the CFP exam live throughout the United States (and the world!) and have a range of scheduling constraints and time available to study for the exam. With that in mind, the CFP exam review programs offer a range of options to fit the availability and schedules of the full range of exam takers.

Synchronous (Live) Instruction

Traditionally, CFP exam review classes have been held as real-time, in-person "synchronous” sessions, and several companies continue to offer this option through live review classes that are usually held over the course of four consecutive days, with a total of about 35 hours of instruction. Locations for the classes vary by company; for example, Barrister Higher Learning’s program is offered in Philadelphia, Brett Danko’s classes are taught in cities in the Northeastern United States, and Zahn Associates’ live sessions are available in cities throughout the country.

In-person live reviews are helpful for exam takers who learn best visually in an environment without distractions (which can be frequent for those self-studying at home!). This can also be a good option for those who may struggle with procrastination, as signing up for a live review program can serve as a commitment to help students stay on track with their course of exam preparation.

Live review programs allow exam takers to ask the instructors questions they had while studying the pre-review material, and those that arise during the review itself. The live sessions build on the pre-review study material and cover the range of principal knowledge topics on the exam. The sessions can also typically be accessed asynchronously (i.e., on the CFP candidate’s own time) after the fact, as they are also usually recorded to let exam takers review the lectures at home after the in-person review, or to give students who were not able to attend in-person a chance to view the recording.

For those exam takers who want to take part in a live review but do not have the flexibility or the budget to travel for in-person sessions, virtual live reviews offer an alternative. These are live-streamed review sessions and cover the same topics found in live reviews. Like the in-person review sessions, the virtual sessions are synchronous in nature – which means they happen at a set pre-scheduled time, and attendees are expected to join in and participate at that time – and thus again can serve as a commitment tool for those who might otherwise procrastinate getting through the pre-review study material. The virtual live sessions also offer the opportunity to ask questions and, like the in-person sessions, are usually recorded for those who want to view the lectures a second time or who are unable to attend any of the live days.

Asynchronous (Pre-Recorded) Instruction

Asynchronous instructor-led review sessions are also available for those who want to access video instruction material at any time (i.e., it is “asynchronous” because the time the instructor presents the material – to a video camera/recorder – is not synchronized with when the student watches the material, whenever they wish to view it on-demand).

This is particularly useful for exam takers who have busy or unpredictable schedules and cannot commit to specific days to attend a live (in-person or virtual) session.

However, one potential downside of watching recorded sessions is that exam takers are not able to ask questions in real time (although some programs offer email access to instructors). More generally, it also requires substantively more self-direction to be able to create one’s own study time independently in an asynchronous format – which may be fine for some CFP candidates, but can be a challenge for others, depending on their natural learning style.

Personalized CFP Exam Instruction

For some exam takers, instructor-led review sessions will be sufficient to clarify difficult concepts and answer their questions. Other exam takers might want more personalized instruction and feedback. Different exam review programs offer a variety of options to communicate with CFP exam experts and get additional instruction.

At the most personalized level, some programs offer one-on-one video sessions with instructors that allow individuals to dig deeper into their specific questions. Other programs offer smaller supplementary group classes that create a more intimate setting for additional review of the material on the exam, allowing students to ask questions in a smaller group setting (which might be particularly useful for those who might be nervous about asking questions in a larger group!). Several programs also offer an email option, or bulletin board access, for students to ask questions and get feedback from instructors.

In addition to more personalized instruction on the exam material and strategies, many programs also offer customized study plans that spell out exactly when exam takers should complete the pre-study work, live review, and practice questions for a given exam date to keep them on track for developing a firm grasp of the material and to feel more confident leading up to the day of the exam. A personalized approach can be particularly useful for those exam takers who might otherwise procrastinate or who study best with a structure to follow. Since the exam covers such a wide range of material, it is not a test that should be crammed for!

Differences in Cost For CFP Exam Prep Programs

The differences in the style of instruction and personalization lead CFP exam review programs to be available at a wide range of price points. While asynchronous instructor-led review programs are available for as low as $595 (and standalone written exam preparation materials and practice questions can be purchased for much less), premium offerings that include live instructor-led sessions and significant instructor access can cost more than $2,000 (although there are a number of scholarships available – not only for CFP exam review programs, but also for the exam itself – that can help defray the cost!).

Because registration for the CFP exam alone costs between $825 and $1,025 (depending on how close to the exam dates the test taker registers), some exam takers might question the value of review programs that cost just as much – or even more! – than the exam itself. While each person’s study needs are different, failing the exam can prove to be expensive in both the dollar cost in needing to sign up for the exam again, as well as the time cost of studying (not to mention the emotional distress one might experience, especially after investing so much time to prepare). With a general recommendation that exam takers study for at least 150 hours before the exam , the cost of failing would be at least $3,750 for someone who values their time at $25 per hour… and this does not even include the cost of the exam itself!

CFP Exam Review “Pass Guarantees”

Another differentiating feature between exam review programs is the various offers available for students who enroll in review programs but who don’t pass the actual CFP exam.

Notably, though, not all ‘guarantee-to-pass’ offers are the same; they can, in fact, range from the option to retake the review program at no cost if the student does not pass the CFP exam on their first attempt (e.g., Barrister , Boston Institute of Finance/Danko’s Signature Exam Prep , College For Financial Planning/Kaplan’s Premium Review , and Wiley ) with no provision to return money already paid, to a full refund of the cost of the review program (e.g., Dalton’s Guarantee to Pass Review ).

These guarantees do come at a cost, though, as programs that offer them are generally more expensive than those that do not. And for those ready to invest their time and energy into a CFP Exam Review program in the first place, ostensibly they’re committed enough to study and pass that the risk of not passing is diminished already. Though, on the other hand, some test-takers prefer CFP Exam Prep providers that have some ‘skin in the game’ themselves (as the provider shares in the financial risk if the CFP Candidate does not pass!).

How To Choose The Right CFP Exam Review Program For You

With more than 20 different options available, the number of CFP exam review programs to choose from can seem overwhelming, which often leads to haphazard internet searches or scanning forums like Reddit’s r/CFP for tips on who used (and passed with) which program. But exam takers can take a methodical approach to determine which of the differentiators among the programs are most important for them in particular, and then narrow down the field of possibilities among the available review programs.

At the same time, ‘à la carte’ study materials are also available for exam takers who are extremely budget-conscious, and for those who want to mix and match review questions from different exam review providers. Prospective exam takers can use the flow chart below to help them decide which review program(s) are most appropriate for their individual situation.

The first step is to decide whether to take a synchronous or asynchronous program. Factors to consider in this decision include whether the exam taker wants the structure and commitment of an in-person (or live virtual) session, or if they need the flexibility that asynchronous options provide. After all, if the reality is that the CFP candidate needs in-person instruction and a classroom setting to really focus and learn, a more-expensive synchronous in-person program that results in passing is still better than a less-expensive, self-directed program that is doomed to fail one’s personal study habits (or struggles thereof).

From there, exam takers can narrow down their choices by the specific features that are most important to them (e.g., location for live classes, the availability of one-on-one guidance, and whether the program comes with a Pass Guarantee).

A more detailed discussion of these factors follows in the sections below.

Click to download PDF

Choosing Between Synchronous Vs Asynchronous Lecture Formats

The first main choice for prospective CFP exam takers is whether they want to pursue a synchronous or asynchronous CFP exam prep offering. For individuals who want (or need) the structure of a live session and who have flexibility in their schedule, an in-person session can be a good choice.

Example 1: Polly Procrastinator knows that if she is not forced to attend review sessions on certain dates, she will put off studying until it is too late. She has plenty of vacation days to take off, and lives in a major city. She decides that a synchronous in-person exam review program would work best for her, and thus narrows her choices down to Barrister Higher Learning , Brett Danko , or Zahn Associates .

For those with less flexibility in their schedule or ability to travel, a livestreamed virtual review session might be more appropriate. This allows the exam taker to get the benefits of a live session (including the ability to ask questions and to attend a structured class schedule) without the logistical rigidity of physically being in the right place at the right time for the in-person program.

Example 2: Pete Parent has child-care responsibilities and cannot take off four consecutive days to attend an in-person review class in another city. He believes that a synchronous virtual review class would be his best choice, so that he can ask questions during the lectures, but still be able to watch recordings of the sessions later if he needs to miss one of the days. Based on this, Pete narrows down his options to Boston Institute of Finance/Brett Danko , Brett Danko’s Virtual Live Review , College For Financial Planning/Kaplan , Dalton , Florida Atlantic University , JR Financial Group , Wiley , and Zahn Associates .

For exam takers who want maximum flexibility in when and where they view the instructor-led sessions, an asynchronous option (where CFP exam materials are simply available to study on-demand) could be the best choice. Taking an asynchronous review requires personal organization and discipline from the exam taker, though, as they will not be bound to finish pre-study material or view the lessons by any particular time.

They also will not be able to ask questions during the review sessions, so they should be confident in their ability to find answers on their own.

Example 3: Confident Crystal has strong study habits but is unsure of what her schedule will look like in the months leading up to the CFP exam. She also wants the option to watch video lectures in smaller one-hour chunks that she can manage around her busy schedule. Crystal decides that an asynchronous option with instructor lectures is for her and chooses to sign up for Wiley’s Silver course .

Notably, the simple reality that some test-takers need to find a live-instruction synchronous program, while others may need to pursue an asynchronous self-study program based on their personal availability, is why it’s important to start with this factor first. And in practice, simply choosing between synchronous and asynchronous, and in-person versus virtual programming, can already winnow down more than half of the available CFP exam prep providers.

Other Important Features: Group Size, Guarantees, And Cost

Once the prospective CFP exam taker has made the decision to take a synchronous or asynchronous program, they can then consider other important features to help them choose the best CFP exam review program for their needs. As while some exam takers might prioritize the option to have additional live review sessions in smaller groups, others might find a guarantee to pass the exam to be important in their selection of a review program.

Cost will also be an important consideration, as the review programs generally increase in cost with more personal interaction with instructors and better guarantees. Though again, if the reality is that a prospective CFP candidate cannot manage a self-study process on their own, a more expensive live in-person program is better than a cheaper one that results in a failure instead of a pass!

Example 4: Nervous Nathan has signed up to take the CFP exam and, previously having failed the CFP exam once before, wants to do all he can to pass this time around. He believes that he would benefit most from a synchronous livestreamed review program with significant opportunities to ask the instructor questions and one-on-one guidance available. Additionally, while the initial cost of the program is not a concern for him, he is nonetheless worried about not passing again, and wants the option to retake the review course for free if he fails the exam again this time. Thus, Nathan considers synchronous programs that allow students to retake the course for free if they don’t pass, including Boston Institute of Finance/Brett Danko’s Signature Review , College for Financial Planning/Kaplan’s Premium Review , or Dalton’s Guarantee to Pass Review .

The No-Lecture Alternative

While the core part of most CFP exam review programs is the instructor-led live or recorded sessions, some exam takers might be most interested in taking a self-study approach using printed review materials and practice questions without the lecture component. This could be because they learn best by reading or repeatedly solving practice questions . Other exam takers might be especially budget-conscious, and choose these resources simply because they can be significantly less expensive than taking an all-in-one program (and if a more in-depth program simply isn’t economically feasible, ‘some’ CFP exam preparation materials that are affordable may be better than none at all).

In practice, some comprehensive CFP exam review programs offer stripped-down alternatives that include review textbooks, question banks, mock exams, and study plans, but without the lecture component. For example, the Essential Review package from College for Financial Planning/Kaplan and the CFP Self-Study Course from Wiley Efficient Learning are less expensive than the company’s full programs that include instructor-led review sessions.

Exam takers can also choose to purchase review materials and practice questions separately. This could be useful for an exam taker who knows exactly what they will need to study (e.g., someone who may need to get stronger on tax or estate planning in particular) and who has the discipline to follow through. These resources could also be useful for exam takers who are already in a comprehensive program, but want to review with even more questions from another source. For example, Dalton , Wiley , and Zahn Associates offer written study materials à la carte, and Boston Institute of Finance and Pocket Prep , among others, have question banks for purchase.

Example 5: Bonnie Bookworm learns best by reading material and applying it through questions and is confident in her knowledge of the exam material. She decides to purchase Wiley’s CFP Study Guide , as well as question sets and mock exams from multiple sources (such as CFPQuestions.com or PocketPrep ). This will allow her to refresh herself on the topics on the exam and review weaker areas using the practice questions.

Notably, CFP Board provides an extensive list of free exam preparation resources . These include an exam preparation checklist , a toolkit to help you map out a study strategy, an online forum for discussions with other exam takers, and an exam candidate handbook that has all of the logistical details exam takers should be aware of in advance of test day. The forum is particularly helpful for learning about the experiences of those who have previously taken different exam review programs and the exam itself.

CFP Board also offers two mock exams , with many of the questions having appeared on previous CFP exams. One mock exam comes free with registration for the CFP exam and the second can be purchased for $249 (as of November 2021). Regardless of whether an exam taker chooses to take a review program, CFP Board-provided resources can offer a helpful framework for approaching the exam.

List Of CFP Exam Review Providers

Below is a list of providers that offer CFP Exam review programs and materials:

Instructor-Led Reviews

Barrister Higher Learning

Boston Institute of Finance/Brett Danko

Brett Danko Educational Center

College For Financial Planning/Kaplan

Dalton Education

Florida Atlantic University

JR Financial Group

Wiley Efficient Learning

Zahn Associates

Written Review Materials And Question Banks

CFPQuestions.com

Ultimately, there is no single best CFP exam review program that will be suitable for all exam takers. Given the wide range of programs available, it is up to the individual to consider their preferred learning styles, schedule, and budget and choose a study option accordingly.

While there is no guarantee that an exam taker will pass the CFP exam after taking a review program, the structure, body of knowledge, and practice that these programs provide can improve the quality and efficiency of the strategy the exam taker chooses when preparing for the exam. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to pass the CFP exam itself, no matter what path is taken to get there!

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The Top 15 Online Certificate Programs for the CFP Exam

John Kador , Katie Tschida | May 05, 2021

All of the accredited online certificate programs ranked by WealthManagement.com are quality programs focused on preparing candidates for the CFP examination.

The top-ranked certificate programs generally display a mix of the following: a high number of completions reported to the CFP Board; high retention, graduation and pass-fail rates; and a high ratio of faculty who have earned CFP credentials. In addition, given that the CFP Board makes adherence to ethics one of the core requirements for the CFP examination (see Requirements for Attaining CFP Certification ), we gave extra points to programs that offer students a dedicated ethics course. To be fair, programs that do not offer a dedicated ethics course incorporate ethics into the individual classes. Finally, since we believe students who have gone through a program are often the best judge of quality, we awarded extra points to schools that give students online access to evaluations from former students.

Related: The 15 Top-Ranked Instructor-Led Online Certificate Programs for the CFP Exam

Here are the top 15 programs in financial planning delivered by colleges and universities for programs enrolling students in an online, instructor-led educational format. This list is necessarily limited to the programs that submitted responses to the WealthManagement.com questionnaire by the deadline.

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What is a certified financial planner (CFP)?

Erin Gobler

Hannah Alberstadt

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• A certified financial planner has met rigorous education requirements.
• CFPs can help with a variety of financial needs.
• Some CFPs bill their services by the hour, others by AUM fees.

As you consider hiring a professional to help you manage your money, the most challenging step can be finding the right person. 

A simple internet search is bound to yield hundreds of results. If you’re struggling to narrow down your list, consider looking for financial professionals who are certified financial planners. They meet education and experience requirements and are held to ethical standards that help ensure you receive the best service.

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What is a CFP?

A certified financial planner, or CFP, is a financial professional who has met the rigorous education, training and ethical standards set by the CFP Board. Their job is to provide comprehensive financial planning services to clients.

“CFPs are well versed in various aspects of financial management, including investments, retirement planning, tax strategies, estate planning and insurance,” said Brian Seymour II, a certified financial planner and the founder and CEO of Prosperitage Wealth.

The CFP designation is considered by many to be the gold standard for financial professionals. One of the most important characteristics of CFPs is that they are held to the fiduciary standard, meaning they must act in their clients’ best interests and avoid or disclose conflicts of interest.

Other financial professionals may be held to a lower or no standard. One example is the suitability standard, which requires only that they provide advice that is suitable based on their clients’ financial situations and objectives.

What does a certified financial planner do?

CFPs can help with a variety of financial needs. Their services generally fall into two categories: financial advice and financial planning.

• Financial advice. This could be on a single topic, such as your investment portfolio’s asset allocation or your debt repayment plan.
• Financial planning. This involves analyzing your current financial situation, developing personalized strategies, and offering guidance on investments, budgeting, risk management and more.

CFPs and financial planning

Your relationship with a CFP for financial planning is often a long-term one. A CFP can help you create and implement a financial plan, manage certain areas of your finances, and update the financial plan as your life changes.

“CFPs tend to be far less transactional, with the emphasis on holistic financial planning to secure the client’s long-term financial well-being,” Seymour said.

CFPs are trained to help in many areas, including:

• Cash flow and debt management.
• Retirement savings and income planning.
• Risk management and insurance planning.
• Investment planning.
• Tax and estate planning.

How much does a CFP cost?

There are several fee structures a CFP might use, which will impact your overall costs. They include the following:

• Assets under management. You pay a percentage based on the amount of your assets the CFP manages.
• Hourly rates. You pay a flat fee by the hour.
• Retainer fees. You pay a certain amount on an ongoing basis, often monthly or quarterly, for as long as you feel you need the CFP’s services.
• Fixed fees. You pay by service.

“Some CFPs bill their services by the hour, with ranges from $100 to $1,000 per hour or more, depending on the project and the CFP’s experience and expertise,” said Glen Goland, a certified financial planner and senior investment advisor with Arnerich Massena. “Many CFPs include planning costs in an overall AUM fee rather than billing clients by the hour or by the planning project.”

An AUM fee might be more common for planners who provide ongoing management of clients’ investment portfolios. Fees usually range from 0.59% to 1.18% of assets under management, depending on the amount invested, according to AdvisoryHQ. Of course, as your portfolio grows, so will your costs.

Some financial planners may earn money from commissions. A CFP, for example, might earn a commission as compensation for buying or selling an asset like a stock . However, because CFPs are fiduciaries , they must recommend the products that are best for you, regardless of commissions. Fiduciary duty means CFPs are legally required to put your interests ahead of their own at all times when providing financial advice.

How to become a CFP

Remember that there’s no regulation of the term financial planner. Anyone can call themselves a financial planner. However, CFPs must meet rigorous education, experience and ethical standards, giving clients peace of mind.

Maybe you’re considering becoming a CFP or wondering what requirements your CFP has met to earn the title. Here are four steps to obtain the CFP certification:

• Education. CFPs must earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a CFP Board registered program. You can achieve both requirements simultaneously, but many CFPs complete their financial planning coursework after earning their bachelor’s degree.
• Exam. To become a CFP, you must pass a difficult exam that tests your ability to apply your financial planning knowledge to real-world situations.
• Experience. Before you can call yourself a CFP, you must fulfill the experience requirement by completing 6,000 hours of professional experience related to financial planning or 4,000 hours in an apprenticeship that meets additional requirements. 
• Ethics. To become a CFP, you must agree to abide by the standards outlined in the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. Violations constitute grounds for sanction, including censure, suspension or revocation of the right to use the certification marks.

Should you become a CFP?

CFP is a highly sought-after designation in the financial planning field. It not only boosts your credibility but also could increase your earning potential.

However, becoming a CFP is a lot of work. It requires years of education and experience, and CFPs must pass a challenging exam and commit to rigorous ethical standards. And since the designation is not required to work as a financial planner, some professionals may skip it.

It can be helpful to gain industry experience before deciding whether to become a CFP.

When deciding whether to become a CFP, consider your career path. While many large brokerage and planning firms do not require their employees to have a CFP designation, some companies do. If you’re considering branching out and starting your own firm, a CFP can offer the credibility you need to attract clients and grow your business.

“Before I decided to join the industry, I set up meetings with current advisors. These meetings were about 30 minutes, and these advisors told me what their day-to-day jobs look like,” said Kendall Meade, a certified financial planner at SoFi.

CFP alternatives

CFP isn’t the only designation among financial professionals. There are hundreds. Some common CFP alternatives include the following:

• Chartered financial analyst.
• Certified public accountant.
• Chartered financial consultant.
• Registered investment advisor.
• Investment adviser representative.
• Certified financial fiduciary.
• Retirement income certified professional.

Many CFP alternatives specialize in specific areas. For example, while some chartered financial analysts, certified public accountants and investment advisor representatives may provide comprehensive financial planning, others focus on particular services, such as investment or tax management.

It’s also common for professionals to hold multiple certifications. For example, a financial planner might be both a CFP and CFA.

Ultimately, the best way to differentiate the various professional designations and determine which one is right for you is to consider your primary financial need. A CFP is a great option if you want someone to help you create a comprehensive financial plan, while a CPA is likely a good choice if you want someone to help you minimize your tax burden.

CFP vs. CFA

Chartered financial analyst, or CFA, is another popular designation for financial professionals. It is given by the CFA Institute to individuals who have completed the CFA program and work experience requirements.

In some ways, CFPs and CFAs are similar. Both professionals can help their clients reach their financial goals through investments . However, CFAs have a more niche approach.

“A chartered financial analyst spends his or her time focused almost entirely on investment-related questions, analyzing individual companies or investment products,” Goland said.

CFPs, on the other hand, take a more holistic view. They offer comprehensive financial planning services and can help you with your investments and other aspects of your finances.

When to choose a CFP

When you’re ready to hire a financial professional, consider your circumstances, the services you need and your comfort level in managing your finances.

The first question to ask yourself is whether you need to work with a professional at all. You might want to if you experience a major life event, your finances are complex or you don’t feel comfortable managing your finances alone.

If you decide working with a professional is the right choice, there’s no downside to choosing a CFP. A CFP can examine all aspects of your finances and help you create a plan to reach your goals. The standards they’re held to can help ensure you receive a high level of service from someone who is required to put your interests ahead of their own.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Erin is a personal finance expert and journalist who has been writing online for nearly a decade. Her passion for teaching others about personal finance came from her own experience of learning to manage her money in a better way. Erin’s work has appeared in major financial publications, including Fox Business, Time, Credit Karma, and more.

Hannah Alberstadt is the deputy editor of investing and retirement at USA TODAY Blueprint. She was most recently a copy editor at The Hill and previously worked in the online legal and financial content spaces, including at Student Loan Hero and LendingTree. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in English literature, as well as a J.D. Hannah devotes most of her free time to cat rescue.

Farran Powell is the lead editor of investing at USA TODAY Blueprint. She was previously the assistant managing editor of investing at U.S. News and World Report. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including TheStreet, Mansion Global, CNN, CNN Money, DNAInfo, Yahoo! Finance, MSN Money and the New York Daily News. She holds a BSc from the London School of Economics and an MA from the University of Texas at Austin. You can follow her on Twitter at @farranpowell.

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Cheapest CFP courses option

I was wondering if anyone has advice on the cheapest courses option? I live in NYC and 95% sure will have to do long-distance/online courses. I looked at The American College (b/c after you only need to complete 1 more class to receive ChFC designation as well) but it was like $800ish per course. Which to me is insane but not sure if that was standard.

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We use Cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on Our Service and store certain information. Tracking technologies used are beacons, tags, and scripts to collect and track information and to improve and analyze Our Service. The technologies We use may include:

Cookies or Browser Cookies. A cookie is a small file placed on Your Device. You can instruct Your browser to refuse all Cookies or to indicate when a Cookie is being sent. However, if You do not accept Cookies, You may not be able to use some parts of our Service. Unless you have adjusted Your browser setting so that it will refuse Cookies, our Service may use Cookies.

Web Beacons. Certain sections of our Service and our emails may contain small electronic files known as web beacons (also referred to as clear gifs, pixel tags, and single-pixel gifs) that permit the Company, for example, to count users who have visited those pages or opened an email and for other related website statistics (for example, recording the popularity of a certain section and verifying system and server integrity).

Cookies can be "Persistent" or "Session" Cookies. Persistent Cookies remain on Your personal computer or mobile device when You go offline, while Session Cookies are deleted as soon as You close Your web browser. Learn more about cookies on the Privacy Policies website article.

We use both Session and Persistent Cookies for the purposes set out below:

Necessary / Essential Cookies

Type: Session Cookies

Administered by: Us

Purpose: These Cookies are essential to provide You with services available through the Website and to enable You to use some of its features. They help to authenticate users and prevent fraudulent use of user accounts. Without these Cookies, the services that You have asked for cannot be provided, and We only use these Cookies to provide You with those services.

Cookies Policy / Notice Acceptance Cookies

Type: Persistent Cookies

Purpose: These Cookies identify if users have accepted the use of cookies on the Website.

Functionality Cookies

Purpose: These Cookies allow us to remember choices You make when You use the Website, such as remembering your login details or language preference. The purpose of these Cookies is to provide You with a more personal experience and to avoid You having to re-enter your preferences every time You use the Website.

For more information about the cookies we use and your choices regarding cookies, please visit our Cookies Policy or the Cookies section of our Privacy Policy.

Use of Your Personal Data

The Company may use Personal Data for the following purposes:

To provide and maintain our Service , including to monitor the usage of our Service.

To manage Your Account: to manage Your registration as a user of the Service. The Personal Data You provide can give You access to different functionalities of the Service that are available to You as a registered user.

For the performance of a contract: the development, compliance and undertaking of the purchase contract for the products, items or services You have purchased or of any other contract with Us through the Service.

To contact You: To contact You by email, telephone calls, SMS, or other equivalent forms of electronic communication, such as a mobile application's push notifications regarding updates or informative communications related to the functionalities, products or contracted services, including the security updates, when necessary or reasonable for their implementation.

To provide You with news, special offers and general information about other goods, services and events which we offer that are similar to those that you have already purchased or enquired about unless You have opted not to receive such information.

To manage Your requests: To attend and manage Your requests to Us.

For business transfers: We may use Your information to evaluate or conduct a merger, divestiture, restructuring, reorganization, dissolution, or other sale or transfer of some or all of Our assets, whether as a going concern or as part of bankruptcy, liquidation, or similar proceeding, in which Personal Data held by Us about our Service users is among the assets transferred.

For other purposes : We may use Your information for other purposes, such as data analysis, identifying usage trends, determining the effectiveness of our promotional campaigns and to evaluate and improve our Service, products, services, marketing and your experience.

We may share Your personal information in the following situations:

With Service Providers: We may share Your personal information with Service Providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service, to contact You.

For business transfers: We may share or transfer Your personal information in connection with, or during negotiations of, any merger, sale of Company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of Our business to another company.

With Affiliates: We may share Your information with Our affiliates, in which case we will require those affiliates to honor this Privacy Policy. Affiliates include Our parent company and any other subsidiaries, joint venture partners or other companies that We control or that are under common control with Us.

With business partners: We may share Your information with Our business partners to offer You certain products, services or promotions.

With other users: when You share personal information or otherwise interact in the public areas with other users, such information may be viewed by all users and may be publicly distributed outside.

With Your consent : We may disclose Your personal information for any other purpose with Your consent.

Retention of Your Personal Data

The Company will retain Your Personal Data only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. We will retain and use Your Personal Data to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations (for example, if we are required to retain your data to comply with applicable laws), resolve disputes, and enforce our legal agreements and policies.

The Company will also retain Usage Data for internal analysis purposes. Usage Data is generally retained for a shorter period of time, except when this data is used to strengthen the security or to improve the functionality of Our Service, or We are legally obligated to retain this data for longer time periods.

Transfer of Your Personal Data

Your information, including Personal Data, is processed at the Company's operating offices and in any other places where the parties involved in the processing are located. It means that this information may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of Your state, province, country or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ than those from Your jurisdiction.

Your consent to this Privacy Policy followed by Your submission of such information represents Your agreement to that transfer.

The Company will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that Your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and no transfer of Your Personal Data will take place to an organization or a country unless there are adequate controls in place including the security of Your data and other personal information.

Delete Your Personal Data

You have the right to delete or request that We assist in deleting the Personal Data that We have collected about You.

Our Service may give You the ability to delete certain information about You from within the Service.

You may update, amend, or delete Your information at any time by signing in to Your Account, if you have one, and visiting the account settings section that allows you to manage Your personal information. You may also contact Us to request access to, correct, or delete any personal information that You have provided to Us.

Please note, however, that We may need to retain certain information when we have a legal obligation or lawful basis to do so.

Disclosure of Your Personal Data

Business transactions.

If the Company is involved in a merger, acquisition or asset sale, Your Personal Data may be transferred. We will provide notice before Your Personal Data is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy.

Law enforcement

Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to disclose Your Personal Data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g. a court or a government agency).

Other legal requirements

The Company may disclose Your Personal Data in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to:

Comply with a legal obligation

Protect and defend the rights or property of the Company

Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Service

Protect the personal safety of Users of the Service or the public

Protect against legal liability

Security of Your Personal Data

We prioritize the security of your personal data. We implement a variety of security measures, including encryption and access controls, to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction of your personal information, transaction information, and data stored on our site.

The security of Your Personal Data is important to Us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While We strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect Your Personal Data, We cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Children's Privacy

Our Service does not address anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 13. If You are a parent or guardian and You are aware that Your child has provided Us with Personal Data, please contact Us. If We become aware that We have collected Personal Data from anyone under the age of 13 without verification of parental consent, We take steps to remove that information from Our servers.

If We need to rely on consent as a legal basis for processing Your information and Your country requires consent from a parent, We may require Your parent's consent before We collect and use that information.

Links to Other Websites

Our Service may contain links to other websites that are not operated by Us. If You click on a third party link, You will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise You to review the Privacy Policy of every site You visit.

We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update Our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify You of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page.

We will let You know via email and/or a prominent notice on Our Service, prior to the change becoming effective and update the "Last updated" date at the top of this Privacy Policy.

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, You can contact us:

By email: [email protected]

Refund Policy

We are confident that you will be satisfied with your learning experience. However, if you need to cancel your online course enrollment for any reason, we grant refunds within the first 15 days of purchase. The 15 day refund period begins on the date of your initial purchase.

Subsequent enrollments in courses of the same certification are not refundable. Re-enrollments, extensions and continuation packages are not refundable. The first payment of a payment plan is refundable if you are within 15 days, but subsequent payments are not refundable.

Textbooks and other tangible materials are not refundable.

No refunds will be granted after 15 days from the date of original purchase. No exceptions (including medical, financial, etc.) will be made. Refunds are granted to first-time students only.

Please remember, if you are having difficulties we will always endeavor to go above and beyond to help you. We want nothing more than for you to succeed.