I wish I had read this website before enrolling in this preposterous so-called university. I truly feel blessed that my situation is a little better but I am sure that I'm not quite out of the woods yet.
Early this year, I decided to pursue my bachelors degree and with my schedule, online classes will be the most logical and convenient means to my goal. I researched a handful of universities specializing in my particular field of interest and I requested additional information on University of Phoenix.
My admissions counselor was nice at first, she sure made everything sounds so easy and that everything is entirely in the hands of the student, with complete control of your own time, etc. However, the moment I said "Let me think it over" was when she started becoming more aggressive in her approach. She would literally call me almost everyday, sometimes "just to say hi" or "see if you have any questions" and it was becoming rather a harassment than assistance.
After some thinking, I decided to give it a shot but still have plenty of concerns. My number one concern is my financial situation. I told my counselor specifically that I DO NOT want student loans — I only want federal financial aid grant, like what was given to me when I studied for my Associates degree. She promised me that I will qualify for financial aid. She said that I have nothing to worry about and even to quote what she said, "If you don't qualify for the pell grant, you will only pay $500 out of pocket for the remainder of the year" and that is exactly what she told me. At the time, I didn't think it made very much sense but she found a way to explain it to me through a web of confusing lies that I eventually became entangled in the whole thing.
It wasn't until I filled out the FAFSA paperwork (with her constant promise that I will NOT have to pay out of pocket or be signed up for loans) that I found out, I was given a Stafford Loan. That's not what I wanted and I very specifically told her that I DO NOT want student loans of ANY kind. I do not care to put myself in a situation where I owe large amounts of money upon graduation. I can wait another year to go to school, I'm only 21... I have the time.in fact, the first thing I told my counselor is that I was browsing their programs to see what interests me and that I am getting my financial situation together so I can put myself through school again next year. That's when she started practically stalking me on the phone.
To put fuel to the fire, I was then contacted by the financial aid advisor who informed me that I will be required to pay $500 for the remainder of the quarter (not the year, like my counselor said) and then another $5,500 over the remainder three quarters. NO ONE ever said anything about $5,500!! My counselor never mentioned it ONCE. I was very outraged by this unpleasant little detail my counselor had manage to completely leave out, so I called my counselor about it... No answer... Two calls and an email later... Still no response.
I told the financial aid advisor that I want to withdraw.By that time it was day seven of my first week. She told me that she will work with enrollment so that I will not be charged anything for the week I attended. Then I received two things in the mail. One informing me that my financial aid status did not qualify me to defer my tuition and another mail informing me that my $515 is due NOW.
So imagine my anger upon finding out that I am being expected to pay that amount after I was promised that I would not have to. I emailed the financial aid advisor back and I used her words against her, I had her own words, in writing that I will not be charged so fortunately, she is writing off the charges and she promised me that everything is taken care of.
However, I am severely doubtful since all they have given me are EMPTY PROMISES. I have read horror stories online of people being sent to credit collections by this bogus university. I do not want this to happen to me and I am highly concerned that it will. That is why I have to get everything in writing from them, so I can prove my case. I have them all documented in case I (or anyone) ever decide to file a class action lawsuit against this awful university.
I have yet to hear from my admissions counselor, and I do not wish to hear back from her. I wish she was fired so she can't scam another prospective student.
It is very challenging to get ahold of anyone... My admissions counselor used to harass me daily into enrolling and the moment I said "withdrawal", it was as if she disappeared. The customer service from this university is disgusting, even non-existent. Classes are ridiculous, I spent more time online than I did when I took on-campus classes. Convenience? I don't think so! Most of the time, the students are "participating" by being forced to respond to classmates, the class felt ridiculous to me. This is not my first time taking online classes, yet this definitely felt like the most disorganized and unprofessional altogether.
I certainly do hope someone will file a class action lawsuit, this university must be stopped! Personally, I am thinking of referring this case to a consumer investigator on my local news channel and I will write to him about this scam. I will refer him to this website for more evidence.
Thank you all, and if you're interested in helping me write to him also, please let me know and I'll send you his email address so hopefully we can get something done to stop this scam.
Thank you
Christina
Seattle, Washington
U.S.A.
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