The College Network

Read The College Network's response to customer complaints.

kristina of garden grove, CA June 9, 2009

I have been looking to further my career in nursing for a while but work fulltime and wasnt able to take classes at my local college. So i looked online and found the college network. the next day after leaving my information on their website i got a call and an appointment scheduled for someone to come to my house and present this to me. the day of my appointment father son duo clyde and tyler g. come to my house 3 hours late and clyde states his office is right around the corner and he needs to finish some paperwork so his son (who is "training") pitched the courses to me. i was presented the paper work to sign i was told that it was just to run a credit check and to get a price for what my classes were going to cost.

the next thing i know im signing away 14,000 and writing a check for 200 for a reason that still to this day i have no idea what it was for. i was told i had 90 days to cancel if i changed my mind and that i will recieve my coursework some time in april. i signed the "contract" in march. i asked the son tyler if i wanted to take classes at a local college if i can still do that and he said yea "i did the same thing.

i signed up for some classes and i just went there" Shortly after signing everything his father came back and asked if i decided to go with the program and the son replied back yes before i could. i was told that i was going to get a packet in the mail to sign for my loans and that i needed to get approved and that my information for online would be sent as well. I waited 3 weeks and didnt recieve anything in the mail so i called the network and talked to their support team who helped me log online to my courses. i opened up the history one and started there.

i began to notice typos incorrect information etc and that the course work was overall confusing. i finished chapter 1 and the questions at the end of the chapter confused me more then reading it. I called TCN a few days after and asked if i could take the harder classes at a local college and they said "yes we can credit you for those classes". I even asked how i go about doing that if i have to fax over my transcripts and the lady said "when you enroll just let us know what classes and we will credit the account". At the same time i had to move out of my house, i got a new car, and im still paying off my other school loans.

So i called TCN and asked if i could drop the other courses because i dont think i will be able to complete the course and that i will like a refund. The gentlemen i was talking to said whether you choose to use it now or down the road or not use it at all im still required to pay the money. I transferred me to Kim who listened to my question and stated she will call me back because her computer is down.

about 3 hours later she called me back and stated that she doesnt know why i was told 90 days when i only have 3 days to cancel and that the other lady who told me that i COULD get a refund was wrong in telling me that and began to be rude so i hung up on her. i called back again and requested to speak to another manager and was told she was out for the day and to try tomorrow.

i am angry that i am being forced to pay for something that from day one i was lied to about and that i will not use. so basically i am being forced to pay over 14,000 or destroy my credit for one horribly written chapter about the cival war.

Kathy of Moreno Valley, CA June 4, 2009

I am an LVN and I want to pursue my RN. In October 2008 a friend of mine and I went to the Ontario convention center for an orientation about the College Network. During this orientation the representative, R. Quintero had us fill out paperwork to sign up for the program. My friend and I were told that if at anytime we decided that this was not the program for us, we would be able to cancel at anytime. We signed up and received our first module.

In January 2009, due to my busy schedule I decided to postpone school. At this point I hadn't even cracked a book open and The College Network had not obtained my transcripts from my previous school. I called to cancel the program and I was told that I could not cancel and I was responsible for the remainder of the loan. I asked to speak to a supervisor and I was told it was no use that I was responsible for the remainder of the loan. The customer service rep on the other end went as far as to tell me to take out a second on my house to pay for the load. He also instructed me to contact R. Quintero which I did. I stated to him that he had originally told me that I could cancel the program at anytime. Of course he denied ever saying that stating "I never said that, that was never said, you have to cancel in 3 days."

So now I'm stuck paying 201.76 dollars a month for something I don't even use. I called in May 2009 to see if I could get my payment deffered, however I was told they do not do deferments and that I needed to speak to someone in the billing department, however, the billing rep was conviently unavailable, and I never received a returned phone call like I was told. I'm frusterated. Where do I go from here? Any suggestions?

David of south hill , VA May 31, 2009

their sales pitch is a great one. i am not a person that gives my money away, yet when this guy sat down beside me i had no problem signing up. paid for it with cash money. they have great ideas, but beware of the small print. there are multiple issues that there is not much time spent on during the sales pitch. what i mean is...when you go to the supporting colleges, you know the ones that give you the exams from clep, dantes,...etc. they charge you 20 cash money, just to sit in their chair. also each exam has a different cost anywhere from 80-205 dollars,(plus the sitting fee) this is a rip off, just got done taking one for the second time, it is a religious exam, the reason i have to have it is b/c the college is a catholic school.

so the exam has cost me 200 for nothing so far. i have lost so much of my spare time b/c i have study many hours over this. also, they did not tell me this during the sale pitch, but you have to wait 180 days to re-take the exam when it is failed. so yes i have to study all over again, and it didnt even help:( i wanted to try this b/c i have a full time job and a family to care for. yes it did sound good, study at your own pace and then take the exam. but the fees seem to be adding up and for me there is driving involved, so far three exams, each with a 1.5 hour drive to facility that host the exam site.

when you study and put your spare time into something it is frustrating to fail at it. this company does not spell out all of the cost for you. nor do they spend alot of time on the issue that they are not a college. yet, once you are in it, it does not take long to figure out that they offer courses required for a four year college. i guess what i am saying is when this is finished, (if that ever happens) i could have called regis university and sign up for the required elective classes and been better off. this network needs to let ppl know they are not a official college. i am upset with process, all i would like to do is warn folks about this pathway.

Jaime of North Augusta, SC June 1, 2009

I am a flight Paramedic in the Augusta, Ga area. The college network has pretty much stolen my money. I was going to do the Paramedic to RN class before Georgia banned it. In total we are 5 people here in the same situation. We are putting together a group in order to sue the college network. Please if you are thinkink of doing anything with them, don't. 3,100.00

Tenisha of bourbonnais, IL May 26, 2009

I had just had my son and was at home on maternity leave. I decided to finish my BSN at home. A man came out to my home within a few days of me inquiring about their program. I was told that the program was a home study program. I knew nothing about having to take clep tests. When I figured out what the program was really about, I called TCN to speak to the man that signed me up. He did even work there anymore. They also told me that I didn't have to pay my student while I was paying for the modules. I never used the modules because I wanted a real at home or online degree, not prep for clep tests. I can't afford to pay monthly for these modules.

I'd like to be apart of a class action law suit if I could. Since that's not happening I'd be happy to know I saved someone from waisting their time and money. The College Network is a scam, they're awful. I already had my credit ruined from losing my job and home. They are still direct debitting my account which I'm stopping. Then I'll just have to see what I'm going to do after that. I'm extermely disappointed in how that company operates and takes advantage of vulnerable people especially women. No one can afford to be taken for a ride with their money in this economy. I pray we will all be free of them soon someday and that they get exactly what they deserve for cheating so many people.

Eve of Long Beach, CA May 10, 2009

I am an LVN graduate and thinking to pursue my career to RN, I searched online and at the BRN site and was redirected to The College Network site. Filled up the information and few days later got a call and set for an appointment. On March 14, 2009, a sales rep Clyde and Tyler Gebauer (father & son) from college network came to my house, thinking that only information will be explained and did not expect to sign any documents. I was told that I have to sign the contract and in any case I will change my mind I have until April 20, 2009 or has 90 days to cancel and that no money involved. I was asked to apply for a student loan but I declined and gave my credit card, and again I asked if ever I changed my mind I will not be charged and answered “Yes”. Few days later my credit card was charged.

In their letter of cancellation, it says you can call or mail the letter with a returned signature. I signed the original dated March 28, 2009 and mailed to 3815 River Crossing Parkway Ste 260, Indianapolis Indiana 46240. Few days later, I received the returned signature dated April 2, 2009.

On April 24, 2009, I got a letter from TCN with a Las Vegas address saying they received my cancellation letter but TCN’s portion of the contract has been fulfilled. I maybe required to pay the remaining balance as per contract. As per Bernard Schrader letter, learning materials has been delivered. At this time I have not received any books or reading materials and never been online to access the program. I have not used any of their services whatsoever.

Me and my husband were stressed out on how to solve and not waste the amount in this present economy for the services I never used. I would like that the contract would be “Null and Void”.

I hope people will do more research before putting themselves into trouble.

Charidy of Delaware, OH April 27, 2009

I had a represenative from College Network come during work to talk to one of my coworkers, and convinced me somehow to sign the contract. A mistake on my part, but only being able to talk during a break I thought it sounded like a good deal. I have not ever opened but the first module, and never took one test. When I contacted the company to see what I needed to do to get out of the contract, the represenative stated I was obligated regardless. I cannot afford this program, and have tried to pay what little I can afford only to still be penalized with my credit. I don't feel I should have to pay for something i have never used, it seems ridiculous!!!! Need to know what steps to take next....

Sarah of Myrtle Beach, SC April 6, 2009

I joined the College Network in March 2008. At the time I was in the process of moving. I asked that the material be sent to my NJ address. It was sent to SC. When 3 weeks had passed and I hadn't received anything I called and confirmed the material was supposed to be sent to NJ. They appologized and said another packet would be mailed to me. I never received anything. When I finally moved to SC in June o8 the material was on my doorstep.

After a lot of aggrivation and reviewing the material provided, I decided that I did not want to take this course with The College Network. I called to cancel and was told that I had signed a contract stating I had 3 days to withdraw from the program and whether I used their services or not that I had to pay them. I feel that the contract is rediculously unfair. They expect you to make a decision before you even receive any material and before you can realize that they are very unprofessional and scam artists.

After doing some research I discovered that the materials provided and the tests that are and additional 205 don't match up. With the economy the way it is I can't afford to be paying for services that have not been rendered. I have been paying a 3rd party loan company 127 a month. Nowhere in the signed contract is there mention of a 3rd party loan. I was under the assumption that my payments were to the College Network. I feel that I am being robbed of my money 7,000, for a course that I am not even taking.

Payments of 127 a month have been being paid along with an inital payment of 500. My husband is currently working 2 jobs so we can make ends meet.

Kim of Virginia Beach, VA March 12, 2009

feeling sad and taken advantage of here in Virginia Beach, I am the victim of a scam artist, I feel so foolish, My husband and I have become the victims unknowningly to a smooth talking salesman, as well as several others I understand by the College Network.

I set up an appointment for a representative to come to my home to tell us about this so called College, he lied to us, and totally misrepresented the College Network telling us this was a federal student loan, and that all credits earned can be transferred to any college not true! we did not receive a cancellation form from Marty the salesman who represented himself as a college counselor, the bank never called us, or checked our credit to see if we could even afford this,

We then called the bank and realized this was not a federal loan as it was told to us, we then called Marty Porush who had us sign under false pretense, my husband explained to him the next day we wanted to cancel so he said no problem and gave us the number to the College Network to cancel, we then had to call College Network with whom we have contacted several times to cancel and to get answers from with no success, even when the circumstances have been explained over and over again, the same week we went to our bank and closed my account and explained to our bank the situation, we had our bank fax and send notice with a Notary stamp that we do not authorize your bank to loan any amount of funds to the College Network, Inc. and that I understand this is not a Federal Student loan program as explained by Marty Porush representing the College Network, and that this Lender is not authorized to give College network 7,000 plus 12% interest under our name, however we now understand that they did,

I have not received anything from the College Network and I have made it clear I cannot afford this program and that I have lost my job. The name of the bank is Southeast Federal Credit Union in Nashville, TN for which we have not heard from as of yet, however we did try to call and then sent to an answering machine, when I did speak to someone they could only say call the College Network, I am going to do all I can so this will not ever happen to anyone else, I hope this will help the others who have fallen victim to this.

I feel so stressed about our already drained finances, worried about losing our home and paying our bills, as well as feeling emotionally drained, I have been worried about this from the start.

Kristen of Bolivia, NC March 8, 2009

In May of 2008 I graduated college and become an LPN. Shortly before graduation I was looking into options on how to pursue an LPN-RN degree. I came across an advertisement online for Excelsior college. I clicked on the link and it took me to The College Network's website. I filled in the info to have a representative contact me and shortly after I had one that came to my home.

She made statements like We are a publishing company that furnishes the materials necessary to get your degree through Excelsior. She also stated Professors at Excelsior write these modules which mimic the material you will see on the tests.

Never once did the representative tell me they had no affiliation with The College Network. The materials that she gave me state they are partners and this information is not true. I also received an email that states they have a collaborative agreement with Excelsior. I did not discover there was no relation until about 3 months after signing my contract. I was on a nursing blog and I came across fellow nurses that were experiencing exactly what I am right now. I signed a contract financing learning modules and exams.

Now that I know there is no affiliation between The College Network and Excelsior, and that I was misinformed, I refuse to pay them any more money. I am one of many consumers that have been misled by The College Network. I have filed complaints with the FTC and the BBB. I have not yet sought legal action because I was hoping it would not have to go that far. I realize now that this is not something I can handle on my own because The College Network feels they are not in the wrong and that I should be paying them.

I will continue to seek out all means possible to ensure that this contract becomes null and void and that no other consumers will have to go through what so many of us already have with The College Network.

As a result, I have had to take a hit financially and it has been a severe setback in obtaing my goals as an RN. The College Network is using deceptive trade practices to seek out individuals who, like myself, are wanting to better themselves. There is a nursing shortage and many individuals go into nursing to give something back to the community. The College Network is taking somthing away from not only the consumers that sign on the dotted line, but also the community in which these RNs desire to serve.

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