And you thought Dorothy had it bad trying to find the Great and Powerful OZ? HAH! He lives in Phoenix, in a building with no phone numbers... At least none that are available to the lowly "Admissions Counselors", whose job description must read something to the effect of, "Wanted: High school grads looking for extra income with a title to boot. Come and join the University of Phoenix Online, where all you need to do in order to call yourself an admissions counselor is have the ability to answer a phone and say, "I don't know... I'll have to ask my supervisor.".
The fun just never ends at this educational mockery. Like everyone else, I thought that this would be the answer to my educational situation. Like some of you, I was assured there would be little if any out of pocket expense, since my financial and family situation had me eligible for $4000 in Pell, plus maximum Stafford loan. My first set of Advisors were great red carpet treatment. Then after my first class, (which, I'll be honest, I was delighted, because I was getting college credit for some seriously grade-school material) that all changed. Suddenly I'm dealing with some kid who's probably young enough to be my daughter and about as knowledgeable as a wombat, with the phone manners and personality of same mammal. And these were my Advisors??? I think the only advice I could have gotten is where to get my nails done cheapest in Phoenix.
Like everyone else, I get notified at the 11th hour that I need to pony up some dough in order to continue. I had to advise my advisor that there was plenty of financial aid to tap into. Ohgeewould you look at that. So do they go for the grant money? No wayhit up all the loan money first. Thanks a lot. Going into my third class, I was assured that the financial aid was in order. Then after the class. So sorrywe can't get that money.
Why not? Because. That was my solitary answer. I did over 20 hours of research over three days, calling everyone from a local to a state to the federal level trying to find out why the financial aid was unavailable to U of P, and NO ONE could tell me why they did not access it. Not even them.
The real fun began when you file a grievance. Grievance? What grievance? I didn't see a grievance. My mistake - didn't send it certified. So, (and here's one for you Columbo) try and find get a phone number to call someone who's in charge. GOOD LUCK! You know all about the snowball in h*ll, right? That, my friend is YOU if you try and find the Ivory tower, where sits the powers that be in the Land of UOP. This is a mystery that is suitable for a TV miniseries. I can't help but think that perhaps all of that tuition is paying for a few golf rounds on any given day in the Arizona sun.
Today was the last straw. I FINALLY got a phone number: From the collections agency. (Does anyone think it odd that the UOP has their own corporate collections department?) I was treated to the same sophomoric rudeness that earmarks the scorned children who run this institution, and told that my grievance which they never received would be invalid. I signed papers stating that I was responsible. To which I wondered aloud, who is responsible for procuring the approved financial aid?
My credit will no doubt be headed south, because I will not pay this. And they sit over there and all but laugh. Take the money and runit's that simple. As long as people keep shelling out big bucks for this laughable education, (it's all standard 7th and 8th grade material), they will have the money to run people like me into the ground.
I am putting out a call to anyone who wants to seek a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT against these charlatans who are making a mockery of higher education at our expense.
Sally
Random Lake, Wisconsin
U.S.A.
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