I was a military member (E-5), when I inquired about the Pacific Western University (PWU) program. PWU sent me an application, which I completed and returned with the refundable registration fee. I advised PWU I would have to make payments first, before I could get into a program because I was going through considerable military training (OJT) and career military courses for my duties, as a Weapons and Munitions Specialist.
After considerable time had passed and 4 additional payments to PWU, I was notified by PWU of being placed on academic suspension, and that a re-activation fee would be required in the future. I called them in disbelief of additional fees and said that with my shortage of funds and military obligations currently, I would like a refund of all the monies paid, knowing that the initial application fee would be non-refundable.
I never submitted a Degree Program Warrant and was never admitted to candidacy nor received any correspondence courses.in summary, I gave them money to PWU to hold till I had the balance paid in full and until my military training requirements were completed. PWU said there would be no refund per the guidance in the University official catalog, which I knew nothing of, nor had ever received.
In my last written correspondence to PWU, the PWU quoted back to me the Refunds Guidance in accordance with the California State Education Code for students who withdraw after enrollment in an academic program. I was not even in a program and I had not been accepted nor had I completed the requirements. Also, I was a Florida resident stationed in Florida.
If I had been from California and officially enrolled, accepted, approved or what ever, tuition refunds are only allowed during the first 6 months. I would have still been Ripped OFF. My God, it took me a year just to accumulative $1093.00 towards the full tuition. PWU would have taken my money after the fact, because in the first 6 months, I had only paid the PWU the application fee only.
I have given up until now because of this web site. Lawyers are expensive and the dollar value was too small for any litigation. At least this message can be put out there on the WWW and make ME feel better.
If Pacific Western University resolves this issue within 90days, this message will go away, but if not, then I will amend this Ripped OFF report with more details to include names and dates and other information. I am sure there records will reflect the same unless shredded.
I wonder how many others have been Ripped Off by PWU and did nothing because of the dollar amount involved.
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