Summer of I received a call from Ashford University asking if I ever considered higher education. I told the rep yes, and they put me through to a Joshua H., the advisor. When I told him I was interested in becoming an Early Intervention Therapist, (someone who works with disabled children ages 18 months through 3 years old) he stated he wasn't sure what that was (that should have been my first clue to hang up) but he was pretty sure I would need a Bachelors in Health and Human Services.
So I started taking classes and the school sent me emails stating I needed to submit my paperwork for loans (which I didn't want as I have no way to pay them back.) I submitted the paperwork, took classes, and even though I found myself taking classes with people who obviously had already taken college courses and thus putting me at an unfair disadvantage (at least I thought so) and finding it very difficult to reach the instructors when I didn't understand the material (which was often, it was way over my head), I pressed on because I wanted my degree.
Fast-forward 4 months... I find out from someone who is an Early Intervention Therapist that I need a Bachelor's in Special Education, (not Health and Human Services). I called Ashford and they informed me they don't offer that course/degree. So I dropped out. Soon after I started getting emails and letters saying I owed $7000 in loans. I wrote the financial aid dept. A letter stating that Ashford's advisor gave me the wrong information on the courses I needed, and they basically wasted 4 months of my time. Wasn't that an advisor's job... To "advise" students on the courses they need to get the degree they want? They responded with a curt reply telling me to contact Ashford's financial dept. To make payment arrangements, which to this date I still have not done.
I feel cheated and ripped off. I do not have a job, have no credit, I have 2 kids with autism who receive SSI, which is my only income. I own a 25-year old car, rent a house (which Section 8 pays for), use food stamps, and have Medicaid.in short, I am living below the poverty line. So their threats to ruin my credit, attach my wages, or take my vehicle fall on deaf ears. I do not own anything they could put a lien on. Friends and family tell me to ignore it, they can't get blood from a stone. Well I am still angry because up until now I have never had any debt. I wrote and told them the only income I have is my children's SSI and I am not supposed to use that to pay back student loans (and I'm not going to.)
I advise anyone to stay away from these people. They sell you a bunch of lies just to get you in and you end up with nothing but collection notices. If they call you, HANG UP.
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