What does Caveat do?
Caveat is an independent college preparation company for high school students. We help students plan high school, build a college list they can afford, apply well, pay less, earn college credit when it fits, and arrive ready, with one plan that ties it together. Families can start with a plan or pay for just the piece they need. See every service and price.
Do you work with families outside Arizona?
Yes. Everything is online. Every Caveat service is offered in every state at the same price, and students anywhere can take the same online college courses. Arizona's public universities publish how they count each course; elsewhere each college decides for itself, so we check the colleges on your student's list before they enroll.
Is this tutoring?
No. Caveat doesn't teach subjects. We help with planning, pacing and follow-through, and point students to their teachers and school resources for help with the material itself.
Do you do the work for my student?
No. We plan, set the weekly pace, check in and give feedback. Your student does every assignment, exam, essay and application, and we never log in as a student.
Can you guarantee admission, credit or scholarships?
No one honestly can. We work from each college's published policies and numbers and tell you where every figure came from.
Are you part of ASU?
No. Caveat Academic Services is independent and not affiliated with Arizona State University or any college. When a student takes an ASU course, ASU teaches, grades and issues the credit; we help the student plan, stay on pace and finish.
Is this real college credit?
Yes. Most Caveat students take Arizona State University's online courses, taught by ASU faculty; the credit, once added, appears on an official ASU transcript. We also support community college dual enrollment, other universities' online courses, and AP or CLEP self-study.
What if my student gets a bad grade?
For ASU's online courses, they don't have to keep it. Students add a course to their transcript only if they're happy with the grade; if not, they owe ASU nothing more. An on-demand course can't be retaken in the same school year.
Will other colleges accept the credit?
Many do, but each college decides for itself. We check your student's target colleges before they enroll and never guarantee transfer.
Does it count for high school credit?
Homeschool parents can award high school credit themselves. Public and charter students should check their school's policy with a counselor.
Does taking courses in high school make my student a transfer student?
Usually not: at ASU, students who earn college credit in high school still apply as first-year students. Other colleges have their own rules, and we check them for your student's list.
Do you write or edit essays?
No. We ask questions and name what to change; the student writes and revises every word. That keeps the essay the student's own, which is what colleges ask for.
When should we start on college applications?
Spring of junior year is ideal for the college list and testing plan, and the summer before senior year for essays. Starting later works too; the timeline adjusts.
We homeschool. Can you help?
Yes: transcripts, course descriptions, the counselor letter and a four-year plan colleges understand. See the homeschool services.
Do you fill out the FAFSA for us?
The family fills in its own forms. We explain each section on a call and never ask for passwords or Social Security numbers.
What grade does my student need to be in?
We work with students from 8th grade through the first semester of college. For college courses, ASU has no minimum age or grade; strong reading, writing and time-management skills matter more than grade level.
How much time does a college course take?
About 135 hours for a 3-credit course, roughly 9 hours a week over 16 weeks.
What computer does my student need?
A PC or Mac with reliable internet. Some online courses don't work on Chromebooks, and iPads and phones aren't supported for coursework.
Can we try anything before a call?
Yes, free tools with no email needed: what to do grade by grade, which credit route fits, a free practice college week, a transfer lookup and more. See all free tools.
What is Spotter?
Spotter is the private app for Caveat families: the plan, weekly pace, Friday reports, deadlines, messages and documents in one place. It works on any phone today from the home screen, and App Store and Google Play versions are on the way. Get Spotter on your phone.
What does it cost?
Each service is priced on its own. A written plan is $200, admissions and paying-for-college services start at $50, and weekly support for a college course is $300 or $450 per course. Single services start at $25. Every price is on one page.
Can we pay with Arizona ESA funds?
Yes. Caveat Academic Services is an approved ClassWallet vendor, so Arizona ESA families can pay for Caveat services through ClassWallet Direct Pay. ESA rules also allow funds for tuition and fees at Arizona public universities, including ASU courses taken in high school. Confirm the details for your student's account with the ESA program, and ask us how the payment process works.
How do we pay if we're not using ESA?
Online by credit or debit card through a secure payment link, with a receipt by email. The Semester of College and Premium Year bundles can be split into two payments. Course fees are paid directly to the course provider. See how to pay.
Can we use a 529 plan?
ASU says its online course fees may qualify as a 529 expense. Our fees probably don't. Check with your plan administrator or tax advisor.
No questions match that search. Ask us directly during a free call.
Questions parents ask
Straight answers about college credit, admissions, costs and how we work.
Search below or pick a topic. Don't see your question? Ask us during a free consultation.
