American Intercontinental University (AIU)
Dishonest business practices/fraudulent practices/ripoff

I contacted AIU online in July in regards to earning a degree through their University. Soon after that I was contacted by a gentleman by the name of Rick. I was given a degree plan and an amount for this plan.

I was also given the opportunity to take challange exams as an adult learner so I could complete certain lower level requirements that enabled me to be placed further ahead in my degree program. I applied and was approved for my Stafford Student Loan.

I received an e-mail from Jessica E. On July 16 stating my degree plan was complete, but was tentative until they had all my transcripts. Later that day I got an e-mail from the Chief Operating Officer Nick Fluge letting me know that I did not have any items missing from my permanent file.

I was scheduled and took three (3) challenge exams and passed all three. Which was suppose to place me further along in my degree plan.

Around the end of August about 1 wk before classes were scheduled to start I was contacted again by Jessica, this time by phone, letting me know they had reviewed my transcripts and I was still lacking some credits and would need an additional (2) classes in order to obtain a degree.

I asked her how much more was this going to cost and she said she would have someone from financial aid contact me back. A gentleman by the name of Chris called me back and said it would cost an additional $2000.00 on top of what my Stafford Loan would already pay. Because I was unable to obtain financing elsewhere AIU would finance this for me on an extended payment plan for $146.13/mth.

I asked him several times if this was everything I needed in order to graduate and receive my degree in Feb. 2005. He assured me that I would not need anything additional and with these 2 extra classes I would receive my degree in Febuary.

I agreed and took 4 classes over a 10 week period. I did not receive any calls or e-mails during this time other than from my professors regarding my classes. We took a fall break and I logged on November 20th to begin my other classes only to find 3 more classes on top of the other 2 classes they had originally placed on me.

I got an e-mail the same day stating if anything had changed in my degree plan to contact financial aid. I called and left a message for my financial advisor to contact me back. I got a call from Dianna C. She told me they did not have one of my transcripts and I needed these 3 classes. I told her that in the beginning I knew I needed 2 more classes and made payment arrangements for this.

She told me there was nothing she could do and it would cost an additional $5000.00 for these classes. I was told we can add this to your original agreement for payments of $400.00/mth. WHAT!

I was told that if I did not agree to this I could not finish my degree. I was given the option to take CLEP exams at a cost of $85.00/exam but she did not know where there was a facility for me to take these or how many exams I would need to take.
I withdrew from AIU on Nov. 20th 2004.

I contacted the Dean, the assistant Dean and still did not get any resolution to this. They have since turned me over to a collection agency for 893.76 they say I still owe.

I have been in contact with this collection agency and I am in the process of disputing these charges. I have contacted Wacovia (the holder of my Student loan) I am currently making payments to them until this is resolved.

Here is my suggestion to everyone in this similiar circumstance.

1) Contact the BBB of IL and file a complaint, they will take this to AIU to try to resolve. AIU will of course dispute and the case will be closed but at least there is a complaint on file with them regarding this company.

2) Call the FTC at 1-877-382-4357 and file a complaint. (They will not be able to do anything, but they will keep up with the number of complaints and look for a pattern) If enough complaints are filed with similiar circumstances they will investigate.

3) Call the State Licencing Agency of IL 1-217-782-2551 and file a complaint againt AIU. They can give you important information on who you might contact to resolve this.

4) Consumer Fraud Division in Chigago IL 1-312-603-8700

5) Call the Attorney General of consumer affairs and file a complaint.

I am looking into filing a lawsuit against AIU and would be interested in any input from anyone out there that may be interested in pursuing this further.

Company: American Intercontinental University (AIU)
Country: USA
State: Illinois
City: Hoffman Estates
Address: 5550 Prairie Stone Parkway Suite 400
Phone: 8777013800

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