In march of i began the enrollment process with AIU by filing for financial aid. The process, as i was told, would take a little longer, since i had to file for independant status, since i am less than 24 years old, but still qualify to be independant. So there was a moment of stagnation during the process - and in this moment - my advisors decided it was best for me, since first day of school was near - to finish the enrollment process and login to the online university so that i would not fall behind when the financial aid results came back.
I made it extremely clear that i could not afford any tuition costs - and that i'd have to call it quits if financial aid failed to produce 100% coverage. I was ushered into the enrollment process by three different people - all of which were very adament about me getting enrolled - and constantly reassured me that i had nothing to worry about. They said, basicallly, if financial aid doesn't come through like you need, then we just call it quits and you can go along your way.
I was, in a nutshell, under the impression that i was enrolled in a "trial-run" class. I didn't have any books - it was all communication with the professor and the other students.
After we finally recieved the student aid report from the FAFSA application - it was decided by both parties (myself and my advisors at AIU) that i could not afford to go to the school - therefor - no harm no foul - i'll just go along my way, we gave it our best shot.
- or so i thought -
Not once - ever - was i told that by completing the enrollment "process" that i would be solely responsible for any charges that accrued during my "trial-run" class. Since i denied my financial aid awards that i had available (because they just weren't enough) i'm not competely "responsible" in thier opinion for $2445.50.
Furthermore - In the entire year that it took for me to find out about this "bill" - i was never contanct by AIU about it - not once. No phonecalls, no emails, no invoices in the mail. Nothing. Feb. 09th, i recieved a phone call from "General Revenue Services" claiming that i owed AIU the total of $2445.50, that they were calling to "create a resolution for the debt". A debt that i do not owe.
After i explained the situation to the gentleman on the phone - i immediately called the AIU university and spoke to two different people - both of which seemed clueless - and promised to have someone call me back within the next business day. & I never recieved a phone call & and waited an entire week before my next call.in that call - i was informed that "this is a lesson well learned for you - you should not sign paperwork unless you're sure of what you're signing. You cannot go attend a normal university and just decide you don't wish you pay any longer, and expect that to happen" Along with some other bogus claims which completely avoided my questions.
After this rude reply, i decided to contact someone a little higher up in the AIU "Hierarchy" whom happened to be William Bates (ext. 15027). After an informative message that i left on his machine - i have yet to recieve a return phone call.
AIU is completely avoiding this situation where they embezzled money from me. Dishonesty, embezzlement, and entrapment should be the call signs for AIU. Based on the reports i've read thus far - i'm not the only one who's now got a huge gap on their credit record because of AIU.
I would never have agreed to enroll if i would've known i'd get stuck with the bill if financial aid failed to go through all the way. Why would i agree to pay 2445.50 for ONE class, and then decide to drop out of it one month later? Nothing adds up - nothing makes sense.
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