My entire undergraduate degree was completed online through a different University. I loved it. I never had a single issue. It wasn't until I enrolled at Kaplan did I realize how bad some online educations really are. My mandatory chat sessions were a joke. The first fifteen minutes of the chat session was "how are you's" and random chat. Then it moved on to one professor merely repeating everything that was learned in the reading of that week, followed by answering of two student questions chat session over. The other professor asked the students questions, which was followed by ten to fifteen answers that were all the same. I requested to withdraw from my classes 57 days after enrollment. It was seriously that bad. Now here is my problem:
After several weeks of NO returned phone calls, and no resolution to my issue, I emailed the following letter to several people at Kaplan. I received "Undelivered mail" message, which is ironic considering the fact that the email address I used were the ones provided BY the personal I spoke to:
On January 10, I contacted my financial advisor, Jennifer Vescalseal, concerning my tuition payment towards my federal student loan. Kaplan University received $1,168 from CITIBANK and $1,077 from a Pell grant. When I spoke to CITIBANK on the 10th I was informed I owe them $1,000. Upon speaking to my financial aide advisor, I was informed that I owed $3,200 for tuition minus $800 equaling $2,400 due for tuition. After a brief discussion concerning the Enrollment Agreement and tuition refund, I was told to contact the Business Financial Office. I left a message on January 10 and I am still waiting for a return call.
On January 16, I contacted the accounting department at Kaplan University and spoke to a gentleman by the name of Darin. Ironically, I received an entirely different set of numbers then what my financial aide advisor provided. $3,400 for tuition. $825 credit back. $2,575 for charges that came in, a $95 deposit. Adding in the Pell grant and loan I owe, according to Darin, $2,340. After a roughly 45 minute conversation with Darin, I was referred to Ms. Gill. I am still currently waiting for her return phone call, as I left a message with her on January 16.
First let's address the $800, as I was told by Jennifer that it wasn't a refund and could not be considered as such. Darin provided $825 and referred to it as a "credit back." My first question is, why was $800 taken off the original amount of tuition, no one seems to be able to answer that question. Second, where did it go?
This brings me to my next point.in accordance with Kaplan Universities Enrollment Agreement, notice of withdraw must be made in writing. Please note my notice of withdraw sent on October 1 to Breanna Reader, which puts me at 57 days. Now note the Enrollment Agreement point 3a. Which states "Once the first 30 days of enrollment in the program have passed and up to and including the first 60 days of enrollment in the program, upon withdrawal, Kaplan University is entitled to the $395.00 registration fee and tuition charge as follows: 50% of the tuition minus the registration fee."
According to my accountants calculations: tuition owed to Kaplan University for the three weeks I was enrolled is $1,465 (3,400 times. 5 = $1,700 minus fees totaling $235). $1,465 minus the Pell Grant of $1,077 leaves a total of $388. Which means $780 will be credited back to my student loan with Citibank.
If the above situation is not resolved in a timely manner, this letter and all correspondence concerning this topic will be forwarded to CITIBANK, my lawyer and my accountant. Thank you very much for your time.
1.22.08: Spoke to Ms. Gill, Business Office Associate. She stated my tuition was "3,200." The refund of 825 was 25% off of my original tuition figured from the last time I logged into my account. Which, according to my calculations is 57 days, as I informed my advisor I was withdrawing on October 1,07. Statement of Account has to be requested, unless student owes a balance on account. I asked why I didn't receive a statement of account, as I apparently owe money. So she referred me to Neal, who doesn't come in until 2 P.M., stating I had to request it and that she doesn't make the rules. She was unable to explain why the three people I've spoken to so far has different numbers.
Additionally, at the beginning of my enrollment I asked if my student loan and my Pell grant would cover tuition. Ms. Reader stated "Yes, it will, however you can pay interest rates as you work your way through college." Simple math indicates that my Pell Grant and My Student loan only equals: 2,245, leaving a balance of $955. Who covered that?! No answer from Kaplan University. The situation has yet to be resolved, and I'm postive I'm going to be pushed from one person to the next until all money I supposedly owe gets sent to collections. CITIBANK cannot do anything until they receive a formal letter from Kaplan University. Great.
Kaplan University is a completely disorganized, as indicated by three different people have three different sets of numbers of what I supposedly owe and doesn't match what the Bank states I owe them for my student loan. Kaplan University is a fraud. Attempting to get a refund on tuition is extremely frustrating.
R.
Wichita, Kansas
U.S.A.
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