In my personal opinion (based on experience with CTU Online), I feel this institution apparently likes to misuse Financial Aid funds and misreport student attendance for that purpose. Based on my experience CTU did wrongfully obtain Title IV Funds after I withdrew from their school and stopped attending classes for quite some time. These experiences began when I decided to try to finish a degree online and my real problems occurred after they received several Student Loan dispersements, which did include several Federal Pell Grants (under Title IV). Like many, here I became dissatisfied with the quality of the institution because of the trouble I had receiving assistance from an Academic Advisor and other personnel whom simply refuses to abide by federal law. After I was denied what I felt was a simple accommodation (leave of absence due to health reasons), I was forced to withdrawal from all classes since we could not reach an amicable resolution concerning my personal situation as cancer surgery was involved. What is interesting to me is at this point shortly after my communication I could no longer access online courses so CTU knew I was not in current attendance.
Less than a few weeks later CTU continued to file Financial Aid (including Titile IV funds) as if I was still attending classes which in my opinion puts them in direct violation of 34CFR 668.22. Simply from what I can ascertain CTU Online continued to charge student aid for almost two months past a notice of intent to withdrawal and after that only refunded a very small portion of the tuition back to the government. From what I have found out from my lender, CTU did obtain an additional $4,000.00 plus after my withdrawal and refunded only 17% back to the fed. This was done at the beginning of a new payment period while their records reflected that I had not attended for over 40 days (due to withdrawal), as I could no longer access online classes. This is interesting to me since I had already withdrawn from classes and yet after almost 40 days, they were once more filing for Title IV funds and other subsidized loans as if I was still in attendance. I do not believe this is a legal practice for any educational intuition receiving federal aid. 90 days after my last date of attendance CTU finally refunded only a portion of the funds obtained from the Fed on my behalf, which amounted to less than $700.00 of the additional $4000.00 obtained after my withdrawal. I have since called and talked to CTU and as before and I feel there is no possible resolution other than future litigation since I will not pay for classes I could not attend or access online.
Certainly, it is good that CTU says they are an accredited member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools so similarly they should also know what the ramifications are for institutions that may engage in such activity. If anyone has had a similar experience then it is your legal right to contact the Office of Inspector General HOTLINE (OIG) and file a complaint since CTU receives Title IV funds on behalf of their students.
OIG Hotline: http://www2. Ed. Gov/about/offices/list/oig/hotline.html
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