Q. How does Distance Learning Work?
A. Courses are delivered in various methods such as the Web, two-way interactive video conferencing; video taped lectures on CD-ROM and printed correspondence. Depending on the course or degree program, students correspond with instructors and peers using email and traditional methods of correspondence.

Q. Is SSU an approved institution?
A. In the State of California, degree-granting authority comes from the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education. Southern States University, established in 1983, is approved under the Education Code of the State of California to offer the degree programs, of Masters of Science in Financial Planning (MS) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and award the appropriate degrees to students who have met the graduation requirements of the University. SSU is also approved to offer the Certificate in Tax & Financial Planning (CTFP)

Q. What makes us different from the CFP Program?
A. The “T” in CTFP stands for tax. Our program teaches the student how to become a licensed Tax Preparer and the CFP program does not, it just teaches tax theory.
Completion of the CFP coursework does not allow the student to use the CFP after their name; they must then pass an extensive comprehensive exam. After completing the CTFP program at SSU, students earn the Certificate in Tax & Financial Planning.
The CTFP online program includes instructor video taped lectures. The CFP program does not.

Q. How do I receive the CTFP?
A. There are five (5) pathways to completing the Certificate in Tax & Financial Planning Program at SSU. The program consists of six (6) courses with nine (9) sessions each. After completing a course, the student will then take the final exam in that courses scheduled “Exam Week.”

Path 101 – Financial Planner Entrepreneur
There are six courses required for completion of the Certificate in Tax & Financial Planning
Total Program Cost $2,475.00

Path 102 – Advanced Tax Preparer
The student will receive credit by license substitution for FP440A & FP440B
Total Program Cost $1,825.00

Path 103 – Insurance Advisor
The student will receive credit by license substitution for FP450
Total Program Cost $2,150.00

Path 104 – Investment Advisor
The student will receive credit by license substitution for FP420
Total Program Cost $2,150.00

Path 105 – Professional Financial Advisor
The student will receive credit by license substitution for as many as four (4) courses depending on the number of licenses currently held
Total Program Cost $1,175.00

Q. How do the courses work?
A. The courses consist of assigned readings, both online and in textbooks, discussions between student and instructor via video-conferencing and by email and visits to other websites (web field trips) to view additional information related to course assignments. Interactive online exercises will involve working with financial analysis software, graphs and charts, and interactive offline assignments such as case studies and research projects. Once enrolled, the course video lectures on CD's will be shipped out, and you should receive them in a couple of days. You now can order your textbook and retrieve your course materials on the website. All you need to do is go back into SSU’s website and click on the first course you will be taking, FP400 and print out the Course Outline and Syllabus for FP400 – Foundations in Financial Planning and order your textbook by clicking on the http://www.ctfponline.com/ and pressing on the help tab “Publications” remember to order your textbook as soon as possible, as it may take a few days to receive your textbook


Q. How does the student communicate with his/her Instructor?
A. Southern States University is developing the capability to utilize electronic communications (email) as the preferred communication media for its students and faculty and staff. In order to take advantage of this technology, it is recommended that students acquire email access with the capability to send and receive attached files. In order to navigate the World Wide Web, it is recommended that the latest version of one of the following browsers be used: MS Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. The University also provides documents that can be accessed with the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available without cost to all web users. Student’s utilizing this technology are responsible for checking their email and SSU website weekly, and to advise the instructor if any attachment is not readable.

SSU students will actually have more contact with instructors than students in a traditional classroom type environment. Students are encouraged to email the instructor for an individual response as well as take part in a mandatory videoconference during the 4th or 5th class of instruction, which enables the instructor to evaluate the student’s progress in the course. Every student has access to a message board assigned to each course and questions posted on the board are usually answered within a 24-hour period. Students may also fax the instructor with their questions or call our toll-free number.

Q. What is the admissions process?
A. Step # 1 The Admissions Process

The applicant fills out the online application and submits the $75.00 application fee either by filling out the credit card information on the bottom of application or by sending in a check for $75.00 along with the application by regular mail to the Admissions Office at SSU. The Admissions Committee will review your application. Once accepted by the Admissions Committee, you will be sent an email notification by the Registrar of acceptance into the program and further instructions on how to proceed with the enrollment process.

Step # 2 – Enrollment Process

The Enrollment Agreement spells out the tuition for the entire program, the number of courses, the length of time required to complete the courses, other fees and expenses, and different payment options.

After you are fully satisfied that these documents reflect your needs, select your tuition payment method, enclose the indicated payment by credit card or check or money order and sign and return this document to the Admissions Office at SSU. The student will then register for 1, 2, or 3 courses every 9 weeks until all required courses are completed. The student will receive further instructions via email on obtaining course assignments and textbooks.

Q. How fast can I finish the program?
A. There are six (6) courses required for the Certificate in Tax & Financial Planning Program. All students are required to begin the program by taking FP400 – Foundations in Financial Planning course first. You are allowed to take 1 – 3 courses at a time. However, you can only take the final exam for each course in the designated Exam Week. All courses are taught every nine (9) weeks. The student is required to maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average throughout this program. By the use of license substitution, the student completes some courses upon acceptance of the enrollment agreement, thus not having to wait for Exam Week. One week before exam week, you will be sent an email giving you directions on how to obtain the final exam on the website. Once you have taken the final exam, your final grade for this course will be sent to you by email notification within 7 days.

Q. Are international students welcome?
A. Yes, if a student can access the curriculum on the Internet, then they can live anywhere and be enrolled as a SSU student. Students whose primary language is not English must have sufficient command of the English language to benefit from instruction at this University. Therefore, students must be able to communicate effectively in English to complete courses.

Students for whom English is a second language must provide a satisfactory score on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Schedule the TOEFL by contacting the agency that handles TOEFL registration in the applicant’s country. In The U. S. contact the TOEFL/ETS Services, Post Office Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 USA. Or email them at: http://www.toefl.org/

Q. What is The Graduation Process ?
A. Upon completion of all required courses you will be sent an official transcript and diploma.

Q. I already have a license what does the CTFP program do for me?
A. It allows you to add the initials CTFP behind your name communicating to everyone that you are an educated financial professional.