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Hari of Espanola NM (05/10/08)
I highly recommend that any dissatisfied consumers of University of Phoenix take their complaints to the Attorney General's Office of both the state they reside in and the State of Arizona. They enrolled me in course subject areas that I clearly stated I did not want to take.
They had me enroll in a field that I had no background in at a Master's level. They threaten me to return Sallie Mae Funds so that I would owe them thousands immediately if I stopped my attendance. They clearly stated that they would ruin my credit if I tried to stop my enrollment. They did not provide me with a Financial Advisor for over 5 month during my attendance. They blocked me securing loans with other lenders by not returning forms to transfer the loans. This forced me to put the debt on to credit cards.
I am going to the Attorney General's office with my complaints.
Robert of Stockbridge GA (05/06/08)
I wanted to further my education so I talked to a few online schools and University of Phoenix was promising the moon so I decided to give them a try. It was the biggest mistake of my life because they were trying to pressure me to fill out all of my forms so that I could start taking the classes. So when I did the class that they assigned for me was not the class that I was to take. I also noticed that on the financial aid form it states that when they receive your financial aid even if you don't finish the classes they will keep the money so I chose to keep the money just in case.
The class that I took was to be five weeks long and the policies state that you have to attend four times a week or you you will be withdrew from class and I know that I did not make it the first week so I waited and waited until the second week and sent a e-mail to my counselor to withdraw me from the class and by the time he responded it was the end of the third week and they told me that I could not leave the class and that in order for me to take the class over I would have to pay the money out of pocket in order to take the class. I asked them that since I was on finanicial aid why did I have to pay for the class and Pete said that the money that they had was for my other classes.
I asked them can I take my other classes then since they was already paid for and Pete told me no not until you finish this class and you pay for it out of pocket I was very upset but when they mailed me the checks the calls started to come in saying that I owe them $4000 for the classes and I kept asking them how and they kept threating me with turning me over to a collection agency. So that is where we stand right now because no one will answer my e-mails or my calls either.
There has been no damage yet until they report this to the credit agency and my credit will suffer for this.
John of Munster IN (05/04/08)
I recently completed three online classes at University of Phoenix to satisfy my undergraduate degree for another university. Although I felt the class rooms were an over-inflated chat room where lazy students rode the coat tails of top performers; nonetheless, two of the three classes went by with little effort. My concern focuses on a sociology class taught by one of their professors. Specifically, weekly quizzes were required based on text book readings that were never covered in class. After myself and several others informed the instructor about the syllabus, he replied, the answers are not spelled out, you must read the material to extract the information. From the look of his answer, you would have thought he was a politician. I argued the reading material was left up to interpretation, and if was never discussed in (online) class, how would the students know whether they grasped the material.
My questions fell on deaf ears. I received more double talk from the instructor. I felt my final grade was undeserving and asked to speak with someone regarding the teaching methods. Weeks have passed and no one has contacted me. I have called several people and my calls are never returned. How can a university charge nearly three times as much as other schools and get away with this? I feel ripped off. Not only did I not learn anything, I feel completely ignored. I wouldn't take another class at this second rate school if it was free. The school's accrediting agency needs to step in and reevaluate the university.
Shawn of Merrimack NH (05/02/08)
As of right now there are three people in my house hold going through issues with UOP. I myself have had systems issues with the online site where they have admitted fault, but not given me a chance to turn in work. There has been issues with teachers not giving accurate information, for example, being told to turn in work, turning it in, then being called a liar becuase the teacher was unable to open the work submitted. I went back and fourth with her for a week, and two weeks into the class she then makes a policy announcment saying she will not take work in windows VISTA, but not giving anyone credit who tried to turn it in prior. When having issues with teachers and contacting my advisor, I was told there isn't much that can be done, that they can watch the class and worse comes to worse a grade dispute can be used, but after talking to another advisor later on that was never done.
I am looking into legal action at this point because no e-mails or phone calls have been returned into complaints. I have tried on several attempts to get a legal address or speak with someone about legal matters and have been told I can not get any information. My attempts to file complaints have fallen on deaf ears, and to date no one will return phone calls, or e-mails even about taking my credits and attending a local school or tech here in my state. It seems to me that they try to fail people, and not return calls so people will plug more and more money into the school.
When I asked what sort of fall backs a student has in order to protect himself from teachers that have said they would not help, or answer questions, I was told none. That I could file my opinions on a teacher questionare after the class, but please also note that I was never given that chance. When I asked about it, I was told I could always e-mail them about my complaints, but these e-mails do not go anywhere. I have no idea what to do at this point.
I have wasted so much of my money, and tied up so much of my credit in order to attend a school that talked to me before they got my money, and hasn't said or done anything since they have my money. My brother is in the same boat, although his problems are much worse, I wasn't able to put all my issues down, because I have wasted so much, time, money and credit.
Rosemary of Stockton CA (04/28/08)
Although touting to being friendly so that working people can get their degree, they are far from it. We (my class and I) are getting ready to start our clinical rotation. Now, they are telling us that we have to deal with the list of approved facilities that they have in place. I was told that there was no way around it. Therefore, some ofus may not be able to deal with it and have to lose all the time, money, and effort we have already put forth. I have made a formal complaint to the school which was met with a lot of be flexible and don't worry but, we are still in the same situation.
Possible inability to complete the degree program with the loss of thousands of dollars and countless hours of work.
Tonya of Alexandria VA (04/14/08)
I have been a student with University of Phoenix since 2004. This past March (2008) I completed the last class required for my BSM. I was notified today (4/14/2008) by my Academic Advisor, that I must take one more class to graduate. My Schedule and Grades List indicats I have completed the 120 required credits to graduate. Since my last class, it has been near impossible trying to graduate. My Academic Advisor did not know how to graduate me out of UoP. First, I was told to wait three weeks for my Student Web Site to ping me. Then (and this was last week), I received an email from my Academic Advisor that I needed to complete a degree completion form (which I did). Now, I'm at my present situation...told that I must take another class. I am so upset about this matter, I want to speak with someone at UoP. However, I cannot find phone numbers beyond my Academic Advisor...whom is not returning my phone calls or emails.
Consequences are: finacial >$40K. I am in the process of consolidating my student financial laons with Salley Mae. I am technically within my grace period of my student loans because I am not attending full time according to UoP. If I take another class I'll add another student loan (but hopefully my full time status will cause my student loans to freeze again). My husband and I are moving soon and I am pregnant (all of these events were carefully planned to occur after my graduation!). This unorganized mess caused by UoP stresses me extremely. I do not recommend this University. I recommend Drexel University Online or Argosy University Online.
Hezekiah of Sacramento CA (04/09/08)
I started attending the University of Phoenix in Oct. 06. My first major issue with this establishment is that they told me, all I had to do for the first year was get a private loan for half of the year. Since I was a first year student the school had a financial aid program where they paid the second portion of my tuition. I ended up owing about $3,000 in back payment for my first year. The pell grant I got for this year, UOP used for the back payment. I was adviced to take out another two loans to cover the tuition of this year. My lender is CITIBank. I was approved for a citiassist loan and a stanford loan. Mind the fact while I'm having all these financial problems, the UOP finance office took months to just get my FAFSA done correctly.
Not only that but Latasha Turner's boss Shanna Hernandez never returned any of my calls, was never available in the office when I took time off work to come in the office and fix their finance problem. Also when I had a scheduled meeting with Mrs. Hernandez, she never showed up and left me speaking with a man named Daniel. Latasha Turner was supposed to be handling my financial aid issue, but when she was dealing with my account her office reported that I had an excess of fund by the lamount of $738. I was cut this check from the school. Daniel called me about a month later saying that my account was short $642.
I have had countless unanwsered emails. I've tried to make complaints within the school. I don't even know who is in charge over there. When I asked for the name and number, or email of Shanna Hernandez's boss Latasha would not give it to me. I want to transfer to a traditional college. I was told by Pural Lovedeep and her team of acedemic collegues that I would be able to tranfer in two years with an AA once I completed my lower division classes. Daniel insisted that I would not be able to tranfer because the credits I recieved from UOP could not be transfered. He told me that if I don't continue with UOP, I have just wasted about two years and have accumilated student loans of around $14,000 without interest, for nothing. This school is strong arming into continuing my degree program here. I don't want to go to this school. I want to learn computers and that don't have a comouter program. Daniel also said that I would be penalized by my lender CITIBank for not completing the next for classes inwhich the last I am $642 short. April Sampson has not helped me in my acedemic endeavor to change my program or to see which credits are tranferable if any.
Finally the last straw for me was last night. I'm in a Business Literature course/ENG-120. Last night was the second night of instruction. However, I missed the first due to the financial aid issues. We had a discussion on poems that delt with work and personal interpretations. Share Chroppers by Langston Hughes bring up a very sensitive subject for African Americans. While Mr. Hansen told the class of a previous experience that resulted in a negative application of this particular poem, he still asked the same question which envoked heated racial discussions. In this way I believe he intentionally tried to prevoke a riot or other racial tension for his own personal gratification. After the lunch break I told him that I was leaving because of the way he instructed the class was very offensive and tackless. He told me that he wished to see me in the hall way where he commenced to verbally abuse my comments in the discussion. He used threatening hand gestures and other body language where I felt he was trying to intimidate me. He even went so for as to swear in the acedemic setting.
This establishment does not provide proper instructors or instruction for most courses. I was told that I would be able to get my AA in two years. Now I no I was lied to about that as well. UOP's finance department is completely unorganized and they lie. I was told that I would graduate in 3.5 years but I'm actually looking at 5years. I've been cohersed into attending a so-called college that does not offer what I understood I would be majoring in.
I'm in debt of $14,000 and loss of 18 months worth of time energy and resources.
Christal of Toledo OH (03/29/08)
they took out an loan from sallie mae, eventhough my schooling was paid for by financial aide. ive been getting the run around since august of 2007. ive filled a complaint with the bbb, against my credit report. at this time in 2008 im still dealing with this issue 7 months later and im still getting the run around
they messed up my credit, i cant get no credit.
Zandra of Charlotte NC (03/29/08)
I enrolled at University of Phoenix in January on the twenty-eighth. I had recieved an email from an instructor that was one of my teachers that was rude. I received the email on March 4, 2008, and I was upset with the way that she was talking to me. Now they tell me that I have to pay for a class to take over when I am not that dumb and stupid and know that financial aid is suppose to cover my costs for me to take this class over. The technical support team is good. My enrollment counselor is good. I am highly disappoint in this school because of the simple fact that I am not sure if I want to attend this school any more because of a class that my financial aid is suppose to cover is not going to cover this class that I have to talke over and now I am sitting here because they ar etelling me that I have to get a student loan or a private loan for my class that I have to retake over. I am saying this why I must pay for a class when my financial aid is suppose to cover my classes. The instructor did not keep in touch with me when I ask questions about how I can get my grade pulled up.
I am like really disapppoint in my school because of the simple fact that I feel like one ckass should not stop you from gooing to the other courses. One class should not have anything to do with another class. I think that it is sad that because of one class or if you drop out they will try to bill you for it when your finanical aid is suppose to cover for your classes. Awe should not have to come up with any money to pay for the school if my financial aid is suppose to cover it. I wnet to cpcc and they paid for it. i am hghly disappointed in this and hope that something can be done about this situation because I should not have to pay for this class at all when I am getting financial aid and when you are getting the pell grant for school and they are telling me that I have to pay for a class. this is not going to stop me.
The damaged that resulted of this is the fact that the school is saying that there is nothing that they can do about when I know already about financail aid. I am highly disappointed that there is nothing that they can do so that I can help better myself for me and my children's lives.
Christina of Harrisonville MO (03/24/08)
I enrolled in UoP in July of 07. I have had two major occururances with this establishment, I will not call it a school. One problem was the lack of communication with instructors. The establishment would not review my grade discrections, nor would they respond to my refund query. After many months of being ignored I am persuing new avenues of response.
I am now so far in debt with school loans I will have to mortgage my home.
Kimberly of Elizabeth City NC (03/03/08)
I began UOP in 2001. When I started, I was already a nurse but went to further my degree. I attended online as well as in campus. I had a counselor, Raymond Chun, who lost my official transcripts, lost my one and only original microfische records from the USN, LIED to me and told me that my LPN and RN courses would count (LPN did not), and a ton of other things. At one point, it got so bad that they called in a liason from Arizona to come and talk to us because our entire class was disgruntled. Well, here I am 7 years later (took breaks several times because I was so disgusted), and I have had numerous academic and financial counselors. No one seems to know what they are doing. I am so sick of hearing that someone will open up a heat ticket to figure out the problems.
Suspiciously, after I complained, my credits are now in audit status, and I cannot access my site. I believe they have double billed financial aid, as well, but cannot confirm for sure yet. Another odd thing--they are very guarded about phone numbers. For the life of me , I cannot get anyone or find on the internet, the names and numbers of the President, Director of Nursing, or their legal counsel. Every time I am ready to graduate, I am told, "Oh, our mistake, you lack one more credit in...." I would never recommend UOP to anyone. There is some shadiness going on there, and I am sad that I invested so much of myself in it.
I've spent thousands of dollars, endured embarrassment that I have been eligible to graduate numerous times but still haven't, and emotionally, I am exhausted.
Latasha of Bear DE (02/25/08)
After seeing advertisements for the University of Phoenix several times and trying to find a online graduate program, I decided to attend UOP. First red flag, within 24 hours of applying to the school an advisor called me and got me set up too quickly. Afterwards 48 hours later all my student loans were approved. I was told by my assigned advisor that I was allowed to miss up to 28 days at a time and only hard to submit assignments twice a week. I soon found out that this information was a complete lie. I was dropped from my first course and advised that I had to pay for the full amount of the course. I was given wrong information, therefore it wasn't my fault. I THINK UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX IS THE WORST EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT EVER CREATED. It's a rip off, especially for online students. The advisors, professors, and administrative support are immature and unprofessional. I am now stuck paying for a class simply in order to maintain good credit. I do not recommend the school to anyone, not even a rat.
Crystal of Aurora CO (02/22/08)
I recently dropped out of the University of Phoenix Online Campus. Since I dropped out early in the first part of the semester, I was informed I had to pay the student loan back immediately or within something like 60 days or I would be forwarded to a collections agency. Well, I didn't have $1300 up front so I was forwarded to Platinum Recovery Services Collections agency. I made payment arrangements with them, starting with about $130 in December, 2007 and $50 each month after that. I was contacted today on Feb. 22nd, 2008, by the representative over my account at the collections agency and was told I can't continue to make small payments; I have to make larger payments to keep my payment plan going. All I can afford to still do is $50 a month, so he then told me that they would have to forward my account back to the University of Phoenix. They would place a negative mark on my credit report saying I am not paying, and then forward me to another collections agency.
I am very upset that they are not taking my payments and are threatening to give me negative marks on my credit report when I have been making payments all this time. What do I do, can anyone help me? All I want to do is continue to pay off my account at $50 each month, but the collections agency won't take my payments because they are too small. I even called the University of Phoenix, and they have no clue what is going on and referred me to their collections department who as far as I can tell, is not the same as Platinum Recovery Services. I left a message with the University's collections department, and I hope to receive a call soon so I can figure out what is going on and continue to pay on my balance owed.
As a result of my payments being denied, I have been told that they will mark my credit report as negative and that I haven't paid on the student loan when I have been paying each month as promised.
Stacy of Mesa AZ (02/22/08)
I am recently also seeking help from the Department of Education. My nightmare is as follows: I started attending Axia (aka) Western International University the sister school of University of Phoenix in 2004. Before the end of 2004, Appollo group had decided to close that location. They went for the name of W.I.U. while dropping Axia from the name. We were told in person by a representative that we could find another campus to attend or go to the University of Phx. I was very upset. Approx. in 2005 I did start attending the University of Phoenix. It was not a smooth transition. I have had a handful of Academic Advisers. You cannot catch one of them. The left hand never knows what the right hand is doing. All of the complaints
My complaint beyond that is when I transferred on such little notice since they closed my location, I did not know that both schools would receive funding from my loans. I found out in 2007 that I had an overlapping loan and a shortage of approx. $4,735.00. I did not see how. I could not go back to school until April of 2008 for funding. Now looking at my NSLDS information, I can see that they have EXTREMELY misused and abused my funds! Riddle me this, how can you attend two sister schools at once?
The best part of all, at my job I was investigating someone for fraud. It turned out to be my approx. 6th adviser! I called and made a stink; we both knew one another for the situation that was happening at my own job. I demanded to be given another adviser, and I stated I did not want my personal information viewed by this person. They tell me...you must take that up with your adviser. Less than 1 yr. later I have an overlapping loan. How in the world do they get away with doing this to so many people? Also, I have documentation for all of my claims in the form of 54 correspondence emails and a fat file from the NSLDS that just does not add up. One more note: I withdrew 08 or 2007. They have me withdrawn as of Feb. 2007.
I have had to pay for my own school to avoid default until it is resolved. I am stressed because no one from the school will provide documents on how, when and where it was spent. I feel like the employee of U of PHX who I investigated for fraud, is running around with my information. I cannot obtain any more funding. I have an inaccurate loan balance because I do not know where these funds went. I am physically and emotionally stressed out and depressed being approx. $16,000.00 in the hole and not knowing the accuracy. I have 36 credits that I cannot get until they get this money.
Rokitan of Sacramento CA (02/12/08)
I was ostracized by UOP students and Faculty. I was told no one wanted me on their team and I could not be in the class. I have had several problems with this school since enrolling in 2004. I now have one upper division class remaining. I was told once again I cannot take the class because the other students do not want me in class. UOP continues to report to my lenders I am not enrolled in school. I have no lapse in attendance and have paid my fees. My lenders then harass me for loan payments. UOP faculty told me its my responsibility to notify the lenders when after UOP gave incorrect information. UOP attendance policy requires no more than one missed class in 5 weeks, my last course I missed one night of class. Several faculty members called me and e-mailed messages questioning my enrollment. I notified the instructor prior to missing class. I do not understand why UOP continues to harass me while I am trying to further my education.
Currently my program has been prolonged due to me being forced out of class and now they are trying to do it again. My schedule was also dropped without prior notice because I did not have a financial agreement in place. I would have paid for the class if I had prior notice. I spoke with academic counselor regarding loans being consolidated this has also prolonged my program completion date. Currently I am experiencing stress due to the students and faculty experience in class. I have migraine headaches prior to and during class each week.
Valerie of Honolulu HI (02/03/08)
Throughout my longer than anticipated experience at UoP, I encountered many inept, thoughtless administrative, teaching, and financial staff. One example of an experience with the financial department: I had been waiting for word from my academic advisor as to whether I would be required to take an upcoming course (so that I would know if I needed to pay for the course or not). One day before the course began, the financial dept. threatened to report me to the Credit Bureau if I did not pay immediately. Not wanting UoP to give me bad credit, I paid the $1,500. The following day I learned that I did not need the course. I asked for my money to be refunded. UoP replied they could not do that since I was enrolled and proceeded to give me an F for a course that I never attended and was not even required to attend.
But the fact that I did about 95% of the work for my learning team and other matters pales in comparison to my final experience with UoP. I went through my student teaching experience an unprecedented three times (Spring 06, Fall 06, and Fall 07). My first Cooperating Teacher had raging hormones due to a recent hysterectomy - my supervisor ignored my concerns regarding this very strange, unprofessional experience. My teacher PROMISED that I could complete my seminar with her if I ended this student teaching. However, I was dropped, given an F, told I had to retake the seminar and re-do my student teaching in the fall semester. My second Cooperating Teacher wanted to quit teaching, had me write papers for her portfolio on a nightly basis so that she could get another job, and offered me no learning experience. My supervisor shrugged this off. However, after a meeting with Chairperson of the Education Dept., president of UoP; Honolulu Campus, and my supervisor it was decided I would be given a chance to re-do my student teaching the following semester. (This is one and a half years - of student teaching, should be done in 6 weeks.)
During my final student teaching practicum experience, the Chairperson acted as my supervisor. She did not at any time give me a midterm evaluation, did not review much of the detailed work that a student teacher is obligated to perform, and the final evaluation that she gave me, was incomplete. With 37 credits completed, and two weeks left until my graduation date, the Chairperson/Supervisor dismissed me from the University of Phoenix! She flunked me on the grounds that I did not speak loudly therefore all of my students were not engaged in my lessons. This is ridiculous. I admit that I was very nervous when she was there as I had developed a sinking feeling about this school. In fact, it is safe to say that I have never experienced more anxiety in a school situation than during this time with the University of Phoenix. If this supervisor had only looked at the student work, all of my work, she would not have been able to make these negative comments. I filed a letter with the UoPs appeals board. They simply stated that since I did not finish my student teaching, I flunked. What are they talking about? I flunked because this supervisor refused to assess me completely and accurately.
After receiving this response, I spoke with the president of UoP; Honolulu Campus. He reiterated the supervisor's negative comments, told me that I couldn't take criticism, and most importantly, gave me no clear answers as to why my supervisor was not required to follow standard procedures and assess me accurately. I would think the heads of an education department would be concerned with accurate assessment. After $25,000, an A- average (and that includes the two Fs thrown my way), two weeks left until my MAED should have been completed, I am back to substitute teaching wondering how the Department of Education feels about qualified teachers being thrown away. Time to write a letter to the Higher Learning Commission, Department of Education, and other consumer organizations, and make certain that others are not treated as shabbily as those of us that have experienced the ineptitude of the University of Phoenix.
Tegan of St. Marys GA (01/28/08)
I tried to get involved with the University of Pheonix online out of Jacksonville, FL last summer. Aside from my wonderful student counselor, I had absolutely NO help from the financial department. After starting I had to go back home for my sister's wedding for about a week, filled and faxed all the appropriate paper work, and was told everything was fine. However, upon my return my financial counselor had magically up and quit while I was gone and decided not to tell me, AND apparently took ALL my records with her. Isn't that illegal? I was then considered a drop-out unless I sent a copy of my request of leave form. I finally was able to send it out; with no car it took time, but I was told I was still ok. NOT TRUE. When they received it, my counselor was informed that I had sent it too late. I was never previously informed of a deadline by which to receive the copy. So I was considered a drop-out after only STARTING my first class and was informed I must now pay for the classes I had not even taken--even though this was all due to their poor staff management.
NOW, I have even less faith in the education system; and being a military spouse, often the only option for school is online school. I am jobless do to health complications so the added debt of nearly $500 for a class I never took hits harder than most would think. On top of that ,it has to be paid off in 4 months - NO exceptions. And don't even think of asking to talk to a supervisor; you'll get your head lopped off - they can't even wait a single day past the due date so you can afford to pay, or they'll send it to collections. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL.
Denita of Humble TX (01/13/08)
I've completed my masters in MBA at the University of Phoenix in Houston, Texas. My plan at first was to take a dual major, but after completing the first major, I decided not to go into a dual because I decided to get my teacher degree instead. I called and received forms from UOP and faxed the proper forms in to my financial aid counselor, and applied for my diploma. After 2 months I got a call from UOP to tell me because they changed my financial aid clerk, and they could not find my paper work, per Richard I owe UOP $2853.00. This is because they said I didn't give them permission to send the extra money that I had. They had to give it back to the lender. Basically they want me to pay for a class that I dropped.
I explained to Richard that it is not my fault that they can't keep employees, and that it's not my fault that paper work is lost. Richard also explained to me that because they can't find the forms, the money had to be paid. I ask why did UOP send only $4000 back when I had $5500.00 credit? He said that the university kept money because of an enrollment fee which was over $1000.00, I was told that fee was waived if you got a BA from the UOP and return for a MBA at the university--which was not true. I've also noticed money that was awarded, was never accounted for. When questions came up about it no one knew what happened.
Now I can't get my teacher certificate or enroll because UOP has put a lean on my account stating I still owe money. Please let me know what I can do. They are also holding my diploma and transcripts that were purchased on-line, as well.
Kenneth of New Haven CT (01/07/08)
Upon finishing my last class at University of Phoenix, I completed an online application and submitted a $65 fee online as well to process my diploma. When I went to the university's homepage where a complete payment history could be found it showed that all credits were met and that I had a zero balance since my entire education was funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs and all payments were made by electronic fund transfer. I contacted my academic advisor concerning the balance and was told that I still had an outstanding balance on a class from July that had not been paid and that I needed to contact my financial advisor. I asked how was this possible when my VA case manager paid the bill for all my remaining classes and even when I checked my account history through the university homepage, all classes had indeed been paid for.
The problem stemmed from the university sending VA a bill with the wrong date and not notifying VA or myself that an error was made. Instead of the university simply making a correction in the computer that would have changed the date and have the funds from VA going towards paying for the right class, the university refunded the funds for the July class back to VA resulting in a balanced owed and a delay in my diploma being processed. I diligently stayed in contact with both my VA case manager and UoP financial advisor about the status of payment for the class so that I could receive my degree. When I spoke with my VA case manager, he assured me that he owed UoP nothing and that he was ready to close my file and I insisted that the university claimed it was due money. I finished my last class on August 13, 2007, attended graduation in September of that year and as of today, January 6, 2008 have yet to receive my diploma despite having the entire mix-up cleared.
The remaining balance for the class in dispute was paid in December. I don't know how many times I had to call the university prior to getting the bill straightened out to check the status of payment for the class. The financial advisor would always tell me there was nothing that she could do to override the system to go ahead and process my degree because she was simply following protocol. Never mind the fact that VA had paid for three years worth of classes up to that point on time and would pay for that class as soon as the mix-up was cleared. In the meantime, I was applying for jobs and because I said I had a bachelors degree, they wanted to see a copy of it that I was unable to provide since I do not have a transcript or diploma. I was finally able to get the train moving by getting my VA case manager on my cell phone and the UoP financial advisor on my home phone and relay messages as to what was going on with the payment. I became so frustrated with the situation that I requested that the university refund my $65 diploma processing fee.
It seemed that once I got straight about what happened in terms of the wrong date of the class and the funds being refunded back to VA that getting my diploma would automatically be taken care of. I asked the school about the $65 diploma processing fee that was credited back to me and said that they would waive me having to pay it, however, there is still a balance of $65 that needs to be paid. It has been almost 5 months since finishing my last class and I still haven't received my diploma from an error that the university made and one which they have refused to even offer the slightest apology for.
I have never experienced more anxiety in my life than what I have been exposed to in dealing with the University of Phoenix. They made a situation so simple more complicated than it really had to be. Because of this experience, I feel very angry and distrustful of who I do business with. There is not a day or minute that goes by that I do not think about what I have worked so hard to obtain and being unfairly denied.
Rhonil of Federal Way WA (01/04/08)
The instructor at this University treated me as a commodity. I took an online class where I had problems accessing the chat forum. I informed the instructor ahead of time but didn't seemed to care. It is a 100% requirement to submit assignments in the chat forum, however, the instructor didn't seem to care and gave me a grade that is near to failing because of the late assignment where he knew ahead of time it is late due to technical issues beyond my control. The instructor decided for himself that I didn't deserve the grade. He never informed me about his decision. He didn't seemed to want to work with me after the fact and never followed University's instructions as stated in the syllabus. The instructor didn't care for my well being and not concerned about my success based on my eduational goals. The instructor was not available to talk over phone as instructed in the syllabus. I've made attempts to call but never returned my call. However, he did communicate to me via email but still didn't respond to me in an ample time. This is an online class where the instructor cannot be seen in person.
It cost me emotional distress. I've just wasted $1500 for a 5 week class where I feel like I didn't learn at all. The instructor never followed the syllabus and didn't care about my well being.
Greg of Lewistown PA (12/31/07)
I have attended 9 classes with the University of Phoenix. I moved from Florida to Pennsylvania. While in Fl. I was attending ground classes, but in Pa. I am too far from a campus. While in the process of moving and getting situated and settled in, I fell out of attendance requirements. I tried to get transferred to online, but since I was out of attendance my financial aid was in the process of being returned to the lender. Finally I was scheduled as a shared student after my financial claimed to have stopped the return to lender as long as I was in a class within one week. I went back to class and was then told that I had to resubmit my financial aid paperwork because it was not signed correctly. I did; and my financial aid counselor said my file was certified and my funds would be posted in mid Dec.
Dec. 31, no funds and now a bill for over $3000. Apparently (as it was halfway explained to me after 6 weeks of trying to talk to someone), my funds were actually returned to the lender without paying for the last class I attended and have been billed for my next scheduled class as well. I was assured my financial aid would pay for the balance on my account as I have always had more than enough funds to pay for all my classes. Not so. The class they did not apply my funds to, they say was from the last academic year, so I have to pay that out of pocket. Now my funds have not been posted to my account, and I owe a class from what they say was last year but was actually this year; and my $10,500 loan plus my Pell grants have not been posted even though I have had the same lender from the previous year, and my financial aid was already approved and certified with a schedule of mid-Dec. for dispersement.
They erred and did not use the funds on my account to pay for my class; and now before I can take another class or even transfer schools I have to pay them over $3000 because they will not release my transcripts for the 9 classes I have completed. They made the mistake, and now their mistake is costing me money I do not have.
Angie of Ontonagon MI (12/30/07)
I would never tell anyone to go to this school! My husband and I decided in '05 to go to school. Since day one we have had nothing but problems, from things not being taken care of to overcharging, and I get stuck paying it! I have found out that I took a class that was not on my grad plan, and I failed it and am not too happy right now. My husband is also unhappy because we were billed over $2000.00 for classes he didn't even take! I am honestly considering a lawyer; I have had enough of this school, and I owe for it? So now I am 1 class away from being done, and my husband still has 4; and they wont let him in until the $2000.00 is paid, but we don't owe it! They are a confusing school and never have anything in order or on time. You have to literally hound them to get your records processed! Just a horrible school. I cannot believe they get away with it so much!
They have reported my husband for bad credit for a bill that is not right! My husband owes them for one class which is $800.00 and that is it, not $2000.00! A counselor their decided that my husband was a risk and billed him for classes he removed him from instead of letting him take the class! The counselor lied to us and never did what he told us, and now we owe! So sick of this school!
Richard of Tewksbury MA (12/12/07)
I attended the University of Phoenix for one on line class. I then had knee surgery. They billed for another class also, and I had to pay back a student loan. I feel that are overcharging and very dishonest.
They reported me to the credit bureau.
Cynthia of York SC (10/31/07)
I dropped classes from University of Phoenix to attend Saint Leo University. After dropping the classes, I received a bill for $715. I was under the impression that my federal student loan had already paid for those classes. Needing my transcripts, I paid the $715 and sent the $7 transcript fee in August. Neither I, nor Saint Leo's have received my transcripts. I received another letter saying I needed to send another $7 for my transcripts. I have filed a complaint with the Department of Education, Federal Trade Commission, and the accreditation agency. If my loans paid for those classes, I want a refund, and also want my transcripts which I paid for.
As a result, I almost didn't get into Saint Leo's. They waived my transcripts from UOP, and now I'm having to take those classes again (and having to pay for them again with loans) because I don't have the credits from UOP because they never sent the transcripts. This will put a financial hardship on me later (paying for classes twice), and the whole experience has been frustrating.
Monica of North Plainfield NJ (10/23/07)
I withdrew from University of Phoenix due to fraud and their degrees not being accepted in the states of NY & NJ. Now I am being harassed for a balance of $704. They did get $1,900.
Now they are threatening to place me in collections. I'm a single, struggling parent, needing a decent education to get ahead.
Laura of Alpharetta GA (10/22/07)
I am a chump who was sucked in by the University of Phoenix pitch. At Phoenix, I knew all credits would transfer, but that's where the romance stopped. I have had no less than six academic counselors on two campuses in the past three years. I can't even tell you how many financial counselors I've had, they seem to change quarterly, and I've never been notified of the changes until I try to contact them. I am now fighting an issue in which my academic counselor forgot to check the status of the Leave of Absence form she recommended I use to cover a break in classes that I didn't want to take in the first place. Now she refuses to return my calls and is hiding behind emails. Because my LOA was not approved, the University dropped me, however they failed to tell me that. My student loan providers wonder why I am not paying my loans. I tell them weekly that I am still a student and have asked the University to report this electronically to them, but the lenders saying the University has yet to report me as a current student. I am $35,000 in debt and still have 7 classes left to graduate.
Lillie of Stockton CA (07/25/07)
I had to withdraw from class because the learning team would not work with me nor accept me on their team. I had to withdraw a second time because of the same problem I sat in class while I was ostricized and shown total disrespect as the whole class talked about me as if I was not present. I talked with my academic advisor and found that the school will not take any action against the students who did this to me nor make it an issue, I was told by an instructor that I should look at myself.
Heather of Torrance CA (07/25/07)
I am a current student at UoPHX and it is not easy. You are really on your own reagrding everything from assignments to class choice, financial aid, aid disbursements, academic counseling, instructor questions, tutoring, everything and anything! The education and academic content is pretty good though, but know before you commit that your academic counsler and financial aid contact will change a dozen times and they will not notify you at all and lie to you about why your emails or phone calls have not been returned. You are on your own with them. The instructors are hard to get a hold of outside of class. Financial aid does not cover your tuition. I owe about 500 bucks every two classes or every two months. It may be an acclerated program, but know that you will not receive any help from administration once you are in. Good luck.
Barbara of Newton NJ (05/27/07)
My experience was one of the most negative, confusing, and horrible in my life. I enrolled Sept. 2005 in the Criminal Justice program. I cannot tell you how many times my academic and financial advisors were changed; or that I couldn't even reach them. When I saw that the financial aid disbursements were being mishandled, I decided to withdraw. I also started getting billed from a college loan association for loans that I never authorized or approved!
Darrell of Covelo CA (03/04/07)
After literally hundreds of emails back and forth to arrange my student grants and loans. I started a course without ANY SCREENING for IT skills. My lack of sufficient IT skills became IMMEDIATELY evident and I had to drop out. My 1 unit on the introductory course ended up costing me thousands of dollars!
Angela of Whittier CA (02/11/07)
After the grueling task of registering and applying for financial aide, not to mention also having to agree to attend a different campus (in a city far from my home), I was told that the program that I was interested in was not offered at this campus. In short, a few weeks passed, and my course was to start on Tuesday, and U of P waited until Monday night to call me and tell me that my class had been cancelled! I was fumed!
I had entertained the thought of a different school but had decided to go with U of P and now would be unable to attend the other, due to scheduling.
Peter of Dillon CO (02/06/07)
I am a news editor of a small publication in central Colorado. I am writing this because of my recent experience with University of Phoenix Online, where I signed up for a Master's Degree program under the umbrella of a student loan for which I partly qualified because of my status as a veteran (US Army, Field Medic 1985-1988, ROK & Ft. Lewis, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster/Expert Field Medical Badge/Good Conduct Medal/ E-4 at end of service).
I had hoped to offer my readers a nice story about the usefulness of this program. Instead I found a nightmare of disregard that took advantage of my status as a working adult and veteran, and literally mocked me as a consumer.
This company does not deliver what it advertises, sets up policies that make it more difficult for working adults to resolve disputes, and seems only concerned with exploiting students to access the tax dollars for which they qualify as veterans. In my book the latter borders on treason.
Particularly, it takes no responsibility for its own technical difficulties, and does not allow students to resolve issues on this in a reasonable time frame for them to choose whether or not to continue studies before this resolution. I greatly resent that their misrepresentation of what they offer, their unwillingness to admit error, and their policies and procedures excluding dealing with issues when they arise, may leave me owing for one class and affect my qualification for this same loan in the future.
I got taken in by their false claim that they care about helping working adults. The details follow:
I began taking a class, as part of a course of study, in early January, 2007. I immediately had problems, as I had started access right on the day the class started, and had little time to prepare. Though I had been told that the week ran Tuesday through Monday, yet I soon found that most students seemed to treat it as a Monday-Friday week, which left me actually starting late relative to other students.
When I downloaded the syllabus it somehow did not save completely. While it did not have everything I expected, it had nothing indicating its incompleteness (page 1 of XX for example). While I did realize other students knew things I did not, and I occasionally posted "What am I missing?" questions, I did not know that I missed anything until I missed an assignment.
In addition, a couple of times I could not log on when I needed to. This was not a problem on my end. I could not even contact tech support, as I only had the info online and could not access it. It was a problem on the University of Phoenix's end.
I am a working adult with limited times to work on the assignments. I had been assured that the process was designed to help working adults, not hinder them. This was like going to school and finding the door closed, yet the school would not accept any responsibility for this. I did call tech support after the fact to get a ticket. This happened twice in the second week, seriously interrupting my schedule, and limiting what I could post and write. Ixpressed an interest in dropping the class and staff talked me out of it.
I redoubled my efforts, trying to make up for what I had lost, realizing that with all my effort I might still get the "B" I needed to keep up my student loan. I posted a lot. The fifth week I again could not get access on two occasions when I needed to. On one of these occasions, as a working adult, I did not have time to call tech support at all. On the other occasion I called, was told there was a forty minute wait, and figured that if there is a forty minute wait, they know there is a problem. As a working adult, I did not have time to wait forty-minutes.
When again my complaints met disregard, I just stopped trying to go to class, as all it was at this point was an unnecessary stress, since I could not and would not get an acceptable grade anyway. Throughout all this the effort seemed to be to put off doing anything to support my request. Eventually a man named Chris F said he would try to help me. He complimented me on how much I'd posted. I said, yes, I'm an exceptional student, and I greatly objected to being denied the opportunity for my grades to reflect it. Then he said he did not believe I'd had any technical problems because I posted so much.
First, getting on all the time to post responses to discussion questions is different from getting on when I need to for research in the library to finish my report. Second, I greatly resent being called a liar when one occasion there was a forty-minute wait, so there was clearly a system problem on their end (unless they routinely state there is a forty-minute wait to keep calls down.)
The only apparent dispute resolution available was after the grades came through, a process taking two weeks or so. It means that people disputing a result might have to begin their next class before knowing the outcome of the resolution to ensure continued financial aid. This all made sense when I opened the SallieMae documents and saw that the funds transferred to the school were for much of the course of study, not just this class. This means that as long as someone is enrolled with the school processing the loan, Apollo Group, Inc. gets to invest the float on about $10,000.00. It therefore behooves them to stall dispute resolutions as long as possible, even if it means the student has to "take a hot crumpet" as some Brits might say.
Nobody would refer me to anyone to resolve this until after the class was over. After the problems the second week I stated that I would be appealing any grade I got, and requested them to contact me. They did this after the class was over. By then I had done this, but I had to go through Apollo Group and play my press card to do it, which means however this resolves, I will be writing a story about it.
It also means that students without that sort of leverage don't stand a chance. My situation is currently awaiting resolution, but I find this completely unacceptable use of government funds, especially associated with veteran status. If I am having this kind of trouble, what kind of problems must undergraduate students have? They don't know shoeshine from wood stain when they're freshmen.
Right now I stand to owe about $1,800.00 and possibly have my future qualification for student loans in jeopardy.
Becca of West Hollywood, CA (06/06/06)
I inquired about information from U of P but then found a different school to attend. I told this to my contact "Joe" who proceeded to try to argue with me until I hung up on him. He continued to call me back until I answered and asked him to stop calling. Then today I received a call from Adam, the Admissions Counselor. I told him I was going to another school and please take me off their list.
I just checked my email and received the following from Adam: "Hello Becca, I am a little confused. I know you had requested information from the University of Phoenix and expressed interest in continuing your education. However, when I contacted you it didn't seem that pursuing higher education was a serious goal of yours. At this time I regret to inform you that we are only looking for serious perspective students. Only those with strong motivation and a desire to set themselves apart from their peers are considered for admissions. I would encourage you to revisited your own motivation for returning to school and contact me when you are ready to challenge yourself. My contact information is below. I look forward to speaking with you down the road when you are more committed to your educational goals! "
What kind of school is this??? It reminds me of a stalker situation!! I am completely disgusted by their 'sales' approach and the fact that they can't seem to take no for an answer.
Kristina of Milford DE (04/10/06)
When I enrolled into U of Phoenix, I was assured that my financial aid would cover all expenses. Then, after my first year, I received a bill for $5,000, even though I'd been assured many times that I would not owe anything while in school. Because I cannot afford to pay this bill,U of P dropped me from further classes and referred me to a collection agency.
The collection agency and U of P hounds me about the $5,000 bill that they want paid so badly. If I had the money, I'd pay them just to get them out of my life.
The University of Phoenix is a private, for-profit enterprise that grants degrees to students who attend campuses around the United States and who take classes online. It's by far the most successful of the "commercial" universities that are starting to sprout.
The company claims that 95% of its students are "highly satisfied with the impact we've made on their careers" and that 50% "indicate a promotion or advancement within one year of obtaining their degree."
UOP also promises convenience and flexibility. "You'll earn your degree on your schedule - and finish in just 2-3 years. Attend class at your convenience, from home, at work or while traveling," its Web site gushes.
This may all be true but the reports we've received from students indicate that academics are lacking, costs are much higher than discosed and the much-vaunted flexibility is a bit more brittle than one is led to expect.
That may be why enrollment growth has been moderating lately. Nevertheless, with annual revenue of $1.7 billion and about 187,000 students at 42 campuses and 85 "learning centers," the University of Phoenix is the largest private university system.
The parent company, Apollo Group Inc., has been a high-flyer on the NASDAQ since going public in 1994. Its five-year earnings growth of 38% has made it a darling of the investor set.
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