Upon interview for admission, Q.E., (my admin rep) lied about the school's accreditations to my direct inquiries. I had also explained that I was unable to pay for childcare to attend the school, to which she responded "Don't worry: enroll your child into a daycare program on Monday and tell them you'll be able to pay by Wednesday - you've qualified for financial aid surplus". According to my intake w / financial aid: $3,502 in surplus over & above the pell grant, unsubstantiated & substantiated stafford loans required to pay for the tuition costs, which somehow I'm only entitled to receive $2,822 of because SBI keeps the rest after tuition costs for what they deem as "MISCELLANEOUS" costs. Oh, but wait... They don't inform you you aren't entitled to touch your monies until you've completed 720 hours of school & externship before they will release YOUR funds to you, with various excuses as to how it didn't matter that it was your loan, it is THEIR responsibility to account for your money, not yours.
At that time, believing that 2 days wouldn't present adequate time, I spoke with the director of the financial aid who said it WOULD NOT be possible to have the funds released. More believable? Possibly, until my financial aid rep told me to ignore what he said, there were ways around it. $800 indebted to a daycare I find out this was all a big scam: Were I to drop out to take care of my child in case her preschool dismissed her for lack of funds, SBI would still receive financing for my time spent there, and would also receive tuition costs again when I would re-enroll, need that be my case. I fought tooth & toenail to stay in school & maintain the 4.0 gpa I had struggled to earn up to that point (and am graduating with). Upon taking my conflict to the higher-ups in the administration, with the concern that the admin rep said what lies she had to to receive commission, I was told that they don't receive a commission. That is until one of the program directors slipped and stated that the admin reps receive a 'bonus' when the students they enroll graduate. A 'bonus' by any other name is a commission. Potato, potatoe.
Regarding my education: I found myself skipping class to study all day at home where I wasn't distracted by an instructor who is more interested in where the next party was going to be held, which of the male students were or weren't circumcised, and who has the newest rims & candy paint (my real education from the school). When I asked questions pertaining to the education I was paying for, I was disregarded as a needy student who 'overthinks' and a disruption to her teaching techniques. Really? Upon taking my complaint to the overloaded director of the dental program, the instructor stated to him that I should have realized I already had an A and I should stop overthinking. If I didn't there would be noone to educated & impose upon the instructor to do their job.
Once into the externship program, I came to realize most of the techniques taught were antiquated & nonsense. I fought to get thru the program with a 4.0 gpa to find out that the practices taught were barely, if ever, utilized in the real world practice, and despite my desire to learn & fully comprehend my dreams of being a licensed "Expanded Functions Dental Assistant", I have but endebted myself for no reason. During my externship I have realized I know almost nothing my feild of choice requires & have gained nothing but debt & frustration from my SBI education.
I frequently say to those who ask how I liked the school to run far & run fast from there if you want to learn. Spend your money on a school that is fully accredited by the American Dental Association if you want an education that will take you places & help you acheive your goals. SBI was a terrible experience I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
If there is an attorney that would care to take my case & several other students from my campus, I'd be happy to round up several other attendees.
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