Kaplan

Rossana of Chula Vista, CA November 1, 2009

I sent an e-mail to Kaplan University on May 21, 2009 to notify them of my intent to quit the case management program. I received an email from Kaplan Finance on June 7, 2009 stating I have to pay the full amount since according to enrollment agreement, I went over the 60 day due date to quit and not get penalized. I wrote back via email that I was not aware of this enrollment agreement as I did not sign such agreement.

Marcia P. of Kaplan sent me the agreement form that she claimed I signed electronically. I wrote her back claiming I did not sign/receive such agreement electronically. I did not receive any agreement through the regular mail either. I wrote Kaplan via email pleading to grant my request to quit the program and not be charged of the full amount.

Presently, Kaplan sent this bill to a collection agency: Pinnacle Financial Group. I just received the bill today. Please assist me in handling this issue with Kaplan. I feel very stressed by this. Kaplan University called me at work almost every day in the past regarding above issue. I felt harassed Kaplan had to bother me at work. They left messages at my home phone.

I wrote them via email to consider my request (quit case management program) and not be penalized. Kaplan kept insisting I pay. Kaplan failed to provide adequate information regarding enrollment agreement. It appears the electronic signature was bogus. It was not clear to me when the 60 day due date was up. Since Kaplan was not clear and adequate in providing withdrawal policy information, it is only right they waive this bill.

Barbara of Winooski, VT October 7, 2009

I was really enjoying doing my online classes at Kaplan U-until my computer crashed. On May 11, 2009 I asked for and received via email a form for an expenses loan so that I could get a new computer. Ha! After waiting for a couple of weeks, I contacted my financial aid advisor to find the status of this loan. I had to leave messages and received no response from her. In late June or early July I finally talked to a different advisor that stated that she saw my form but it hadn't been submitted yet. She supposedly submitted it at that time. The end of July and my term came -and still no response, yet I was being harassed to sign up for new classes. So I contacted the manager of financial aid-a Lizeth(?) via phone as my computer was gone! Her message clearly stated that she would respond as soon as possible, but to get faster service to email her. It is now 10/07/09 and I have yet to hear from her!

I no longer attend Kaplan, but I've received more correspondence from them since leaving than I ever did as a student. They keep harassing me for more money-even though I withdrew in July! Apparently they've overcharged me and they're supposed to return those funds to VSAC-an organization here in Vermont that gets the loans for students and pays the colleges themselves. I'm attending another school and I'm afraid that Kaplan's actions may impact on my ability to continue my education. I've threatened to contact an attorney (which I really can't afford) and then I'll get calls on my machine all day long from Kaplan. But when I redial those same numbers -I get the biggest runaround ever! I'm so frustrated with Kaplan and feel that it's a huge ripoff in the name of education! I'm now concerned about how valid the credits that I 'earned' there really are! I DO NOT recommend Kaplan University to anyone at this time! It seems like a good way to get an education, but its a business for profit-unlike traditional colleges which do seem to focus a little bit more on providing a good education for less profit!!

Carolyn of Clinton, SC September 18, 2009

I was done with my studies in Nov of 2008. I graduated in Feb of 2009. According to the graduation requirements, no student can graduate with an outstanding debt owed to the school. Even if the student makes arrangements, their credentials will be withheld. I received my B.S. in Criminal Justice and nothing was withheld. On Sept 18 2009 I noticed on my credit report a collection account from Kaplan for 1015. I called Kaplan to ask about this as I had no iodea that I owed money since I was able to graduate.

Charita of Miramar, FL July 30, 2009

Due to an error on the University's financial aid department it caused a large outstanding balance on my account before I finished school on December 23, 2008. Numerous times I have been told that it was their fault.I have an eye witness to this on January 30, 2009 Cody Gammon explained that it was their error and I have emails corresponding back and forth with him. Therefore, when I graduated on January 31, 2009 my degree and transcripts were held and will be held until that balance is paid off. I have worked months trying to get the matter resolved with no success. Speaking to numerous people in their department until they decided to discard half of the balance.

That is still not good enough because I still cannot afford that and once again they were incompetent in the job they are paid to do yet they are trying to penalize me for that incompetency. Now I am being harassed by this department and stressed to the max which is not good for either of my illnesses both that can be triggered to high levels of stress. I have explained that I am disabled over and over. That I am on a fixed income and should not be asked to pay such a large amount AND have my transcripts held when I was not at fault the Institution was. The attitudes and condescending tones over the past few weeks have been unprofessional. I feel like I am being giving the run around and taking advantage of.That they are trying to bully or intimated me into paying them! All I want is to finish school and get my degree but Kaplan is causing a road block for me at my new school because of holding my degree and transcripts. I have worked hard to obtain that degree at Kaplan graduating on the Alpha Beta Kappa National and Golden Key International Honour society! I've been on the Dean's List and honor roll multiple times. I spent majority of my school year sick and I still made it! So, to have this done to me is more than insulting and degrading!

The purpose of me going to an online college was not to have to deal with this kind of stress. I want it resolved. They have taken up too much of my life and I cannot take anymore! I've had enough!!!

Jeanine of Ocean Shores, WA July 3, 2009

I started taking classes with Kaplan University 1/2008. I had signed up for a degree plan for an AA in Information Technology. I was informed that I needed to take 2 classes per quarter to qualify for financial aid. I agree to this plan and classes began. I had been charged an entry fee then later was told I need to pay an additional amount, again I sent the amount. Then I had received a call in 8/2008 about owing money and not taking enough credits. I had contacted my financial advisor vie e-mail and he responded with everything had been taken care of.

I would receive phone calls from the school and when I had answered them they sent me to an automated system and a voice mail. Occasionally I would get phone calls saying I owed then I would e-mail my Kaplan Financial Advisor and would receive e-mails stating everything was taken care of. Now, I have been disabled from logging in and was told I have to apply for a secondary loan at a 15% interest rate to cover what should have been included in my degree plan. I have filled a complaint with the school and finally have been able to speak to someone that said they understood but other than that, if I do not give them money out of pocket I can not finish my degree.

mandy of pass christian, MS June 30, 2009

I have been attending Kaplan for two years, my pell grants and student loans pay for it, until now. I have two semesters left before I graduate(clinical II and externship) and I was told a month before starting my clinical II that I had to pay out of pocket 1780.00, which I can't b/c I do not work. I was told I will also have to pay out of pocket next term as well. They said it was b/c I am only taking 5 credits and you need 6 credits to get financial aid. So, I asked to take another class, any class, just so I can meet my financial aid eligibility. They said I could not take any other classes b/c it is not in my degree program. They have wasted two years of life and now I will be debt for a very long time.I do not know how they can get away with this.

S of Charlotte, NC April 11, 2009

S of Charlotte NC (04/11/09)
I am currently gainfully employed full-time making a decent salary with benefits and have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited state university. I curiously explored the option of several online education services thinking I might possibly further my existing education and 15 years of experience with additional certification. I contacted Kaplan along with a few other firms. I received a call today from a Kaplan representative stating they had been trying to reach me for some time. In reality, I believe they left one phone message and today's call just happened to be the second attempt they had made.

The female representative began to explain to me Kaplan's offerings. I had expressed interest in Medical Office Management courses. This representative had a very rude attitude. When trying to inform her of my interests and what type of program I felt would best serve my learning habits and schedules, she interrupted me more than once. I finally said that I was not intersted in speaking with Kaplan any further if this was the type of heavy-handed tactic they used with potential students. The representative then said I was, clearly not Kaplan material. You think? I just laughed and hung up.

After doing further research on complaints against Kaplan, it is evident they have issues. I read more and more financial horror stories. With such poor solicitation representives, I can only imagine how they treat you once you actually sign on the dotted line. As previously mentioned, I have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited state university and more than enough experience to know that Kaplan would not be the route the go. Beware!

Aimee of Elma, WA February 4, 2009

Aimee of Elma WA (02/04/09)
I started with Kaplan 1/2008 in the Legal Studies program. I've encountered problem after problem with them. My tuition was paid each term by VA (Voc Rehab). I experienced discrimination from male instructors; accused of plagiarism by this male instructor (I have the paper I did and the info was not plagiarised- it was info from a US court document- a public document which I cited); I was blocked from classes for not filling out a FAFSA (which is voluntary and I wasn't using FIN AID. Kaplan said that FIN AID chose me to audit my 2007 taxes so that is why I needed to fill one out. If I'm not using FIN AID in 2008 why would I be audited?)When I complained to the OIG and my Voc Rehab counselor called they changed their statement and told him I was in the arrears on tuition by about 12K. This is impossible because VA sends the money each term electronically.

After some arguing the block was removed but I lost a week of school; I was on the Dean's list up until I was four classes from graduating and then they start failing me- can't graduate with F's so they can force you to stay in and pay for more classes if you want that degree which isn't good in a lot of places. The classes don't transfer over to a lot of schools no matter the accreditation. They purposely do not respond to you as this is one of thier many ploys to keep your money or make you pay more money. I've sent complaints to my Senator, Attorney General's office, OIG, and of course various forums on the net.

My complaint was recently picked up and investigated by the Dept. of Ed Financial Aid- the response from Kaplan is a joke especially considering they outright lie stating I never complained about the discrimination and I was never blocked etc. I have various emails from them regarding the blocked account and why; the complaints to the DEan of Legal Studies himself; and also the Chair of Legal Studies. The Dept. of Ed stated that the Accreditation commission is needs to me made aware as does the state dept of Ed. So, I'm forwarding all of my information to these two depts. I'd be interested in a class action- Kaplan is extorting and fraudulently scamming monies not just from private individuals but from the Federal Government and banks. They need to be stopped.

I lost about 18K dollars from my educational account that I could have used at a reputable univeristy that is concerned with students learning and graduating. Not just concerned with their own pocketbooks. I'm in the process of finding another college which when I transfer over I will lose credits and have to start back over with trying to finish this degree. So not only did Kaplan steal my money, they took a year of my life away from me; future earnings; and my trust.

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