I wanted to attend college to study for my Criminal Justice Degree, so i contacted the University of Pheonix they took ALL of my information and said i would have to attend the WIU (Western International University)/ or Axia College,
On October 29th I recieved a Call regarding that i would be starting Nov 1st. All the information on how to log on was sent to my email address... Everything was going fine, until the following morning.
PART I The sign up process.
As I was due to start my classes and as far as I knew they already did, I recieved a call from Kevin Hamilton, the admission counselor who guided me through the whole process. He said that my financial counselor did not receive the previously sent (faxed) paperwork that needed to be signed and filled out. He proceeded to transfer me to my then financial counselor Cheri Clark. She was not there so I left a message stating that I was going to be sending her the information as an attachment to an email. I did so and figured all was going well as I didn't receive a call or email stating that there were any further problems or concerns.
I continued on with my classes figuring this was the start of a great opportunity for me... Little did I know.
PART 2: Federal Financial Aid and Loans
As described to me, but not in so descriptive context, that I was signing up for the regular federal financial aid forms as well as a seperate loan company who would pick up any remainder of the balance. I had filled everything out with the guidance of both Kevin Hamilton and Cheri Clark. As far as I knew it was filled in correctly and truthfully. A few weeks went by (Week 3 of November) when I gave a call to Cheri Clark (financial aid counselor) to find out the status of my paperwork. I was never able to directly get a hold of her and left several voice messages as well as emails. Not one came with a response from her. I called Kevin who finally was able to three way a conversation with Cheri and I found out that at that time she was no longer handling my paperwork. I did not receive word about this prior to my call nor did it seem they were going to inform me at all. Cheri looked into the system to find out who was assigned my information and how the status was going. As far as they could make out there was a counselor there named Sharon who did not even submit any paperwork as of yet. I was transferred to her extension, without being given her last name or extension number, and I had to proceed and leave yet another message.
Within the second week of December I received a New Jersey State Grant paper stating that I was ineligible for NJ State Grants due to the fact that the college was not in NJ. I figured since I was getting at least these forms of communication in the mail that the paperwork must be going through. I called Kevin to let him know of this letter and he said not to worry about that as it was only procedure to take every evenue of financial aid that was available. I then went along with the classes thinking that things were going well.
Within the first or second week of January I called again having no prior letters, emails or even phone calls from Axia. I located Kevin and asked him what was happening with my financial aid paperwork. I then was informed that Sharon was no longer my financial aid counselor (whom I never actually talked to) but now there was a new counselor by the name of Deborah Taylor. I was three wayed in to talking to Deborah and Kevin stating that nothing has seemed to go through. Deborah checked the status of the forms and said there was a problem coming back from the office asking for me to verify in a letter, signed and dated, about a certain amount of money that I made the previous year. That information was at hand right at the beginning of the process, however I was only notified of this problem nearly three months later. (At this time I just started my second batch of classes) From my understanding Axia's policy states that I should not have continued past this point without proper finacial aid filings. Yet they advised me continue as I was a grade A student.
PART 3: TAX Problems
As I was advised to do by Deborah Taylor I typed up a letter stating the amount of money in question. I faxed it over to her that same day. Two more weeks went by coming to about the beginning of February and I had not received a word regarding any problems, delays or issues regarding my paperwork. Yet again I call Deborah directly and ask the status. She proceeds to inform me about the same incident regarding the amount of money that was in question before. I told her I already wrote the letter and sent it to her two weeks ago, in which she confirmed after a few moments of searching her paperwork and fax department. Deborah then advised me to give it another week for that to go through.
As advised another week went by (this is now the fourth week after sending the original faxed letter), I called Deborah for a status once again. Notice that I am the one having to call and not receiving a single call back from Axia. Deborah informs me that they did receive the letter and have noted it with out any problem, but there is still a hold on the financial aid, because of the previous problems, the government decided to inspect the full application. Deborah again advises me to give it another week to see if it goes through or if something further comes up. (near mid march coming up to third set of classes, one set over the recommended amount according to Axia policy, without a completed federal form)
The reason for this tax problem is that I filled my taxes out in April. I got married in November and had not nor did I want to claim as married on my tax, which you can do. Those tax forms were sent directly to Axia via fax, so even at the beginning they saw that I filed as single and the information given upon sign up was incorrect on Axia's part. This making the application null and void as this was also misrepresentated.
PART 4: Faculty Advice and Communication Issues.
After a few more weeks and phone calls to Axia (never receiving an actual call from them) their tax advice was to call H & R Block along with Jackson Hewlitt to ask for advice on my tax situation. They suggested that my tax filing was correct and that I shouldn't submit or change any details regarding my 2005 tax forms. On calling back Deborah, she "insisted" that I should so that I can complete the forms I filled in. I declined as that would be illegal and misrepresented. She still insisted that I think about doing this a number of times until she suggested me editing my Federal Financial Aid Form online.in doing this it completely changed my status, stating that I was a dependant and wanting my mother's income and tax information. If I was advised correctly at the beginning (October 29th) and Axia knew my tax status (because at this period in time they had my w2's) thus pointing me in the wrong direction. If axia knew of my tax status before completing any forms why did they not point out any possible errors during the first week, rather waiting some 6 Months, 5 full classes.
Due to my situation both Deborah and Kevin suggested that I remove myself from classes and possibly wait until the 2007 semester. So I could refill the federal financial aid forms from scratch, as it would have been a new schooling year. The end of April I ended my classes, not finished full term of last class.
PART 5: Collections (Internal)
It wasn't until the end of May that I received a letter from Deborah stating that I was not participating in class and that I have been removed from classes as of the date specified. (Some one month after my actual departure) There was no further communication between Axia or WIU until June 26 requesting "Failure to contact this office with suitable arrangements within 14 days from the date of this letter will result in your account being turned over to our collection agency with instructions to proceed as necessary. Failure to pay, will result in your account information being reported to the credit bureaus. Signed K.J. Austin of Corporate Collection Center"
On the bottom of the letter was a phone number 1-866-311-1829. I called this number more then 7 times during the 14 day period all resulting in the standard voicemail and I left messages time and time again, resulting in me saying "this is my fifth... Sixth... Seventh call, etc. With still no reply from you"
Part 6: Collections (External)
July 13 I received a phone call from the external collections department Beth Torres at 1-800-731-7766 (Search: Valentine & Kebartas). I explained the situation and the representative was very rude, not helpful and didn't want to hear anything of the issue. Not very understanding of the situation at hand. I then asked for the supervisor and explained the situation once again, resulting in the same responses and ended with her saying "why don't you get yourself an attorney?" I replied "I decline to work with your company" and she said "I will report this back to Axia" then proceeded to hang up.
Part 7: Followups* See / Other Problems / Future Posts
Credit Reporting Problems /
Collection Agency's: Valentine & Kebartas
http://usacomplaints.com/view.Asp? Id=199025
*More
I would like to know if any attorney would consider a class action law suite against both Axia / WIU / PUO / Valentine & Kebartas considering the amount of problems and issues recorded on this site and others and other people that are having the same problem / issues that do not know about this site... To stop this happening to new students in the following months...
Note to Rebuttal's:
Please note I have been back and forth with external and internal loan advisors regarding the complete payment I am not intersted in any loans. Please no Solicitations on Loan Application this is not the way to go...
I am also surprised of the amount of problems you are having since October 31st, Please can anyone get me a reason why so many Students have had problems regarding your college application process, FA and Loan Process...
Gabrielle
Hammonton, New Jersey
U.S.A.
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