I enrolled at UOP in early April to pursue BS in Business Management. I was allowed to enter class under the auspices of prior credits and degrees, which determined the amount of financial funding I was eligible to receive. I received a statement for the financial advisor of the amount that would be granted and the maximum amount annual out-of-pocket I should expect to pay direct to UOP. I was lead to believe that financing had been established and I was ready to proceed to class.
At the beginning of my fourth on-line class, August, I received notice of matriculation of transfer credits. UOP explained I would not receive over 1/2 of my prior educational credits nor the prior technical degree, as it was not essential to my degree path. This revelation of lack of credits affected the original amount of financial availability. This caused an unexpected reduction in the financial distribution previously stated.
I immediately received a bill from UOP in the amount of 2600.00 at the end of August. I contacted and asked the financial advisor (this was the third advisor replacement within three months) if further funding was to be distributed and I was told yes but only in the amount of 3300 until March. I then realized that I would be responsible to pay any class taken before March would be paid out-of-pocket which could be potentially 11,250.00.
I decided to delay enrollment of fifth class for I had no means to come up with that amount.
I feel that I was duped into enrolling in class before financing was finalized. I had no idea this would happen. I knew I would have some out-of-pocket expenses but not at this high amount.
I explained to UOP financial that I would pay the amount not covered by loan. I set up an agreed payment plan with advisors.
Soon after, about one week, I was advised that my account was sent to collections for being in default. How could it be in default when we had agreed to a payment plan and the initial billing was only sent within 30 days?
When I contacted the university advisor, she told me UOP would not accept the payment plan and demanded the 2600.00 payment immediately, or else I would be contacted by national reporting agencies.
I feel that UOP's encouraging me to enter class without the benefit of confirmed financial backing, and then expect me to pull dollars out of the air on demand is simply the most open act of unethical behavior I have ever experienced. I was led to believe original loan expectation was a done deal. If I had known to begin with, I would have withdrawn sooner, or better, never enrolled at UOP.
I have no complaints with the quality of lecture or instructor guidance. I valued the content and presentation of the courses. I learned a great deal with the courses. I was always the leader in the projects and was appreciated by all my classmates. I only wish I had performed research on UOP prior to selecting them to complete my degree.
I feel stupid that I was un-informed, or that I allowed myself to believe all was OK.
Further, I planned to attend another university but I cannot complete enrollment process due to UOP holding my transcripts until the unexpected fees are paid in full. This episode has cost me more than unexpected expenses but has forced me to further delay my educational desires.
I hope they realize the harm they do to unsuspecting students. I believe the negative notices posted here would diminish if they took hold and reevaluated their ethics policies.
Shame on you, UOP for leading me to expect I could continue my education; a dream I thought I could finally accomplish. My transcripts are being held hostage all because of an error made that I had no control or ability to foresee.
I will learn to do better research in the future. I advise anyone if they are about to enroll at UOP to make sure you know exactly what your financial needs will cover. Do not be assured that communication given by UOP staff is accurate. Please have all details in writting prior to accepting admission to any class. I learned the hard way.
Terry
Oceanside, California
U.S.A.
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