I am a former CTU Online student. I love their curriculum, which covers most of the areas in the field I'm interested in; their professors, who are friendly, professional, knowledgable, and very supportive; and their online portal is very user-friendly and efficient. I have a lot positive things to say about them, unfortunately, 1 negative experience pretty much have me written them off permanently.
I have not have any pleasant experience with their Student Finance department. Due to uncontrollable circumstances, in summer of '08, I need to drop out after just taking 2 classes, with the intention of picking up when situation permits again. They came after me for tuition, which was supposedly to be covered by Federal student loan. After countless phone calls, both my credit union and the loan agency told me that the problem is at the college's end. They either sent the wrong information, or completely ignore request for more information. Finally gotten everything resolved, or so I thought.
Fast forward to September 08, an Out-Of-School Student Financing advisor called, saying that I still owed $263.20. I was flabbergasted! When I last spoke to the Student Finance I was told the Fed Student Loan would cover EVERYTHING, and I wouldn't have to pay anything out of my own pocket, except the monthly student loan repayment. And the call couldn't come at a worst time, since my husband just lost his job, and we have a preschooler and a 1 year old to support, with LITERALLY NO INCOME! I should've just put it on a credit card and let it rest. But I hesitated, since our financial situation was so uncertain, and every cent counts, so I asked for 2-payment term to cover the sum. There was a lot of back and forth phone calls and emails again, and I didn't hear any confirmation from the advisor for a while. Till Dec 1st when I got a call and was told if I don't pay up NOW, they'll send me to collection. I was furious, since there were no emails or phone calls accepting the payment terms. But by then, I was already expecting the worst from CTU. So right on the phone, I made the first payment on credit card, even though we had no income for 3 months then and it was Christmas coming. I was told I had till end of Jan 09 to make the rest of the payment.
I called on Jan 31st, a Saturday, and got voicemail instead. I wasn't about to leave my credit card information on a voicemail, so I called first thing Feb 2nd, a MOnday. Lo and Behold! I got a live person, and paid the balance then, confirmed and double confirmed that I was all paid up and everything's right as rain.
On Feb 19th Thur, I got a letter dated Feb 17th from Delta Management Associates, Inc, that CTU just sent me to collection for the FULL AMOUNT of $263.20. A full 2 weeks after I had paid! I called Delta the next day, forwarded the email receipts I got from CTU detailing the amount and date paid. I emailed CTU as well, asking for an explanation and wanted it resolved. Nothing, no reply from CTU, of course. I called Delta again today, Feb 23rd Mon, and was told they got my emails, they understand I'm not owing any money to CTU, but they're still awaiting replies from CTU for confirmation. So my credit report is still reflecting money I didn't owe anymore, and knowing CTU, I'm not confident that they'll do the right thing.
I'm giving CTU till end of this week to resolve this. Otherwise, I'll be filing a formal complaint to both of their accreditation agencies.
It's such a shame - CTU Online really does have an excellent product. The supporting services unfortunately drag it down to the gutter.
Ying
Bellevue, Washington
U.S.A.
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