University of Phoenix - Financial Aid

Lonnie of Pueblo , CO October 6, 2009

I enrolled at the University of Phoenix in 2004 and recieved my Master of Business Administration in 2006. I enrolled again to pursue my Doctorate of Management in 2006 - a month after recieving my MBA diploma. Having been recruited for the Master's degree with the promise of financial aid (as long as I remained eligible) throughout the program, I was told that I would be accepted to the program while financial aid was pending. My financial aid application was accepted and the first year was paid. The second year was applied for and granted in 2005.

I applied for and was granted financial aid through the first year and subsequently through the second and third years of the Doctoral Program. However, in January 2009 I was told by my financial advisor I woud need to apply for a new financial aid package for 2009/2010. I informed him I had already done that. He looked up my status and told me that I was ok through September 2009, at which time I would be three classes away from completing my doctorate. He also informed me he would no longer be my Financial Advisor due to growth in that department. I contacted FAFSA and found I was eligible for and had been awarded my financial aid for 2009/2010 to be disbursed on or about September 8, 2009.

On April 21, 2009, Academic Advisor Misa A, informed me that she would no longer be my academic advisor and that Mellisa F would replace her. After this change I received two notices from the University of Phoenix (while enrolled and attending Doc 733,Doctoral Project)that since I was no longer a student at UoP I would need to fill out the enclosed form and return it to UoP showing that I was no longer a student. I called Mellisa F and asked her to rectify the misinformation and she assured me she would do that. I did not hear back from her.

I have completed all coursework except the last three classes and IRB/ARB approval. My financial advisor (Debbie H) told me the remaining classes would fall under my current financial aid package and that all I needed to do was complete a new FAFSA application for the 2009/2010 school year. I informed her I had done that and had already received two letters from Sallie Mae telling me I was approved for a total of 30,000 to be disbursed September 8, 2009 - enough to cover the upcoming class, my research fees, and my remaining classes. She told me she would get back with me after she checked the record for completion and acceptance of my financial status.

I did not receive any phone calls from her for two weeks so I called her. She told me that she had found my records and all that was missing was a promissory note and a form telling the University Finance Department I agree to apply any excess funds from my financial aid dispersal to any outstanding debt I owed the University. I informed her I had no outstanding debt and and I had already done that online with FAFSA as it was a University REQUIREMENT.

I received a check and a Billing Statement from the University of Phoenix in April 2009. The check stated "Online Refund" 3835.20. The statement showed a balance for the current class. I was confused so I contacted H and asked why the current student loan did not cover the current class. Higdon told me it did cover the current class but to avoid any conflict I should send part or all of the balance shown on the statement.

I sent half of the balance shown on the statement, 1117.60, and the excess funds were used to finance my "Third Year Residency". On May 1, 2009 I recieved a statement showing the original amount of the loan 3835.20 and a payment of 1117.60 with a remaining balance of 2717.60. I contacted H again and H stated the balance was for the remainder of the current class and the upcoming class. She said since my loan had already been approved I would be able to go on with my class.

I contacted my Academic Advisor Mellisa F, and told her my loan had been approved and funds would be available on September 8, 2009. The class began on September 1, 2009 She told me that I would be able to attend after I made arrangements with the finance department. She told me if the payment arrangement was accepted, she would only need to re-instate me in the class. She said she would transfer me to a collection agent in the finance department. The connection never took place so I caled the UoP operator who connected me with Collections.

I talked to "Rayshon" who told me if I set up payment arrangements over a period, the arrangement would allow me to be re-instated in my class. I asked him what would happen to the first payment since my disbursement was coming within the week. He said it would show as an excess or overpayment and be sent back to me. I told him that would be excellent since I did not have a job and I could return the loan to my relative as soon as that happened.

I asked why I was allowed to enroll and attend class before the University received my loan money when I was recruited for the Master's Program. He had no response.

I agreed to make the first payment within three days (72 hours) as he asked. I borrowed the money from a relative the same day Rayshon and I made the arrangement. I called Rayshon the next day to inform him I could get the money to make the payment but it would not get to my bank account until very near the deadline.

As I was about to give Rayshon the credit card number I asked if he was sure I would be able to be re-instated in my class. Rayshon said he did not remember telling me that and I could not be re-instated unless the full amount was paid. I told him it would be paid in full with my student loan on the September 8, 2009. My dissertation process is 60% complete and has been reviewed by my Mentor and Dissertation Committee. After making the recommended changes, I am now ready for submission to IRB/ARB. I have been dropped from my program with only three classes remaining and 9 months from graduation.

Kevin of Helena, MT September 21, 2009

One of my student loans was listed as default, however; it was an error on my former schools part. University of Phoenix asked me to get documentation regarding the error and I did from my former school and they let the university of phoenix know the loan was not in default. Should have been the end of the story, however; it was not. University of Phoenix, demanded I get a letter from my former school talking about payment arrangements on the loan. I told them, this did not apply to the situation, due to the loan being in deferment. They continued to send me emails, stating they needed this information and I said the same thing over and over again. I was able to get ahold of an individual within the financial aid department at my previous school and he sent them a letter again, stating what they were asking was not applicable as well due to the loan being in deferment.

I have asked the University of Phoenix financial aid staff, to give me contact information for a supervisor within their department, to get this issue resolved and they refuse to give me this information and no one is willing to help me. I am amazed people working in a financial aid office, don't understand what a deferred loan means. This issue has caused a great deal of stress on myself and my wife. It has gotten to the point, where I feel harrassed.

Andrea of Andeson, IN September 21, 2009

I have waited 11 weeks for my financial aid to post. I left a very good school to attend U of P because they insisted they were better. They are not. I am so frustrated with the financial aid process with U of P I have decided that I will go to another school as soon as I can be released. I am stressed and will not attend another class at U of P until my financial aid is posted. Period!

Paige of Eagle River, AK August 19, 2009

My husband took 5 classes through the individual class section of University of Phoenix. He was told that each class would be 750 and covered by tuition assistance. He was also told that he would have to buy books for two of the classes and pay the 75 resource fee for the remaining three. We were reluctant to give a credit card authorization to the school, but did so because he was told that they would not enroll him without it. Once he started his classes we cancelled the account for the card that was authorized to ensure they were unable to make any fraudulent charges.

When it was time to pay the first resource fee, my husband called the school and authorized a 75 one time charge on 7 May. He expressed that any further charges would be unauthorized. Instead of charging 75 the school charged 150. In july the school charged almost 700 in fees that he did not incur. He spoke with financial manager Jessica M who said that Raquel S gave false information about the fees and it was my husbands problem. After countless hours and 4 days on the phone, Jessica refunded 486 to the card. That left us with 198.25 charged to an unauthrorized card. However, Jessica sent us the copy of the old authorization for a different account and said it could be used for any account we hold.

It is illegal for a company to charge a card that is not authorized let alone make the fraudulent charges for fees that were never incurred. The University of Phoenix has said this was his problem and the money would not be refunded. Because of these illegal charges, the credit card has been turned off. University of Phoenix put this credit card well over the limit and caused our family to lose the ability to spend the remainder on the card if necessary because Phoenic charges as much as the card would hold over the limit.

We now have to file a dispute with the bank and have been assured by the bank and a financial representative at the University of Phoenix that all funds would be returned to the card because the universities actions are illegal. We are still fighting this battle and it is a lost cause in trying to get the university to do the right thing. If you feel the need to still attend University of Phoenix, NEVER NEVER give them financial information. They will make up charges that you owe. My own account is overdrafted by almost the exact same amount, but I have it in writing that their charges are a mistake and it will be resolved by the end of the month. If it is not resolved the government will be involved because they are fraudulently using FAFSA monies from the Pell Grant.

Renee of Staten Island, NY July 13, 2009

I entered the University of Phoenix in May 2004. The university was having a promotion for students desiring to continue their education. I entered the college with the understanding of not incurring any out of pockett expense providing my grades are maintained. I qualified for a grant and the promotion was supposed to cover the difference. I took, two classes and withdrew after the third class. The reason is I received an "F" on my second class for not handing in a report on the day it was due. Although I had the report on the due date, I could not send it online due to an electrical storm that occured at the time. I handed it in a day after it was due which resulted in a failing grade since it was not accepted.

I appealed the decision and I was asked to provide a meteorologist report which I did. I registered for my third class. I received a letter declining my request to have my paper accepted and my grade changed. I went from an A for one class to an F on the other. Since I knew and the college knew I did not have the funds to pay, I withdrew immediately. I filled out an official withdrawal form that had to be faxed to them-not mailed.

After that, I received a check for 1750.00. This was surplus money as they explained it to me. I did not even know I had that check until four months after I received it. When I called them to ask them why I received it since I did not go the the university, they explained the above. I called both the college and sallie mae and both places said I had zero balance and would not accept the check back for what ever reason. I deposited that check and used it towards other bills.

When I received a payment booklet to pay it back, I went to small claims court and explained to them what happened. It was explained to me that since there was no New York State Address, I could not do anything. I began to make payments for the 1750.00 that I cashed in 2005 to 2007/2008. Now, the college is saying that I did not withdraw and I took out 2 loans in june 2004 and one in November 2004 when I no longer attended the college.

They also send two differect promisory notes that I supposedly agreed to with two different amounts of money and the same loan date. This is clearly a scam. Now that I took legal action, the college is saying I took four classes when I only took two full classes. Furthermore, I was given a grant, and the most I owe is the 1750.00 I cashed since the granted was supposed to cover what the promotion did'nt. This college has prevented me from furthering my eduacation elsewhere, it has also affected my credit.

Alicia of Las Vegas, NV July 2, 2009

I attended the University of Phoenix for a full year, and would have continued but they did not offer the major I wanted.I spoke with my financial counselor Tony before I dropped the school, I was waiting on a check since he screwed up months before and did not process my aid. So I asked him how much I would be getting back or if I would owe anything if I dropped out and he said no you will get a check for 100 dollars.

Ok so I did not need the last class I dropped it. About a month later I get a check from University of Phoenix for 398.00, I cashed it. I get a call from Tony the next day and he says I need to send that check back, I owe them 1300 dollars! He told me they sent the money back to the government! Wait! I asked him why he he personally told me that I would not owe money but in fact would receive a 100 dollar check and now he is telling me I owe 1300 dollars! He stumbled for words and finally told me it was because I did not finish out the loan period or some bull, I completed a full year, no debt should remain or they should have used the money they already had, I have attended UNLV and never had a problem in fact I was doing poorly one semester and dropped it completely.

I thought Phoenix could do this until I searched the web and saw the thousands of people just like me who have similar stories. Please Help!

Jackie of Rochester, MN June 12, 2009

To Whom It May Concern in the Finance Office of University of Phoenix: It has come to my attention after reviewing my credit report recently that there is an amount due to U of Phoenix for 1,790.00 from November 2004.

I spent a huge amount of time with the Advisor from U of P about what the “sole” purpose of my degree was and what I truly needed to complete this Bachelor’s degree I was pursuing. After being reassured many times that the classes that she gave me to take were correct and necessary, I took one class and then started another one only to find out that they were not the correct classes at all. The degree I was pursuing did not require me to take those classes. So that was a huge waste of my time. I called your campus and explained this to you at that time and told you I did not feel responsible for these charges as I was given wrong instructions and took classes that I did not need but your advisor said I did.

With that, I will not be responsible for paying this stated amount of 1,790.00. It was a huge misrepresentation of U of P and not my intentions to take classes that were not required. I have recently been terminated from my employment and am on permanent disability, and probably will not be returning to work due to a chronic medical condition I have now. So payment isn’t even an option at any point. Please have them remove this total from my credit report upon receipt of this letter.

Tamara of Olean, NY June 10, 2009

I filled out a grant application. It said that I was approved for a Pell Grant. I contacted the school and talked with someone about registering. I told them I was eligible for a Pell Grant and needed to know how much a course that I wanted to take would cost me out of pocket. They said my course would be 8350. I was excited that I would only have to make 3000 for a associates degree. They told that I could get a loan for the rest.

I started classes. In my 2nd week they told me that I was inelgible for the grant this but they were looking into more possibilities. I was eligible for it the next year tho. I talked to a few people that I know about this. They told me that they have heard this about them too. They let you start classes thinking that you have help to pay for college and then you dont.

I called today to withdraw after trying to a hold of my counselors. They tell me that I have to pay them 600 for participating in 2 1/2 weeks of classes. No one on the site says that I have to pay that amount if I quit. I contacted the place where my loan is and told them I wanted it canceled. It wasn't suppose to be sent out till after the 15th. To my surprise they tell me it was sent and that I would have to notify the school to send it back. 3 weeks of waiting to find out if I am eligible for other assistance is crazy. They should have told me before I start classes.

Teresa of Houston, TX June 9, 2009

I am a current University of Phoenix student. I am a week away from getting my Associates in Business. I have had minor problems with the University before but was able to resolve the issues satisfactorily until this most recent incident. First I get financial aid (Pell grants and loans) to cover any books and tuition charges from the school. The money goes directly to the school and I receive any balance remaining after the classes and book fees are covered- or so I thought. Recently, I received a bill in the amount of over 1500.00 dollars. Knowing that this had to be some type of error, I went to my online account at the school to see what was what. There, I found a balance of 57.20.

Still confused, I contacted my financial counselor, Chaundra B and asked her to explain what was going on with my account. First she tells me she doesn't know. Then she tells me a day or so later that the last refund check was computer generated and it was supposed to be less 57.20 and that the bill for 1500.00 was to be kept for my records. At this point I am extremely frustrated for a couple of reasons.

First reason, I don't have a job, so money is just not laying around for me to do whatever I need or want to do. The second reason is above all else; my tuition should be paid out of the grants and loans that are applied to my account every quarter. There should not be any computer generated anything. There should be somebody, oh say my financial counselor, who stays abreast of my account situation and applies the funds appropriately. To no avail, this did not occur. So to cut this story short, in order to obtain my Associates and to move on to the Bachelors program, I have to find some way to pay this 57.20 which she now tells me are taxes associated to my move to another state.

Michele of Grand Prairie, TX May 20, 2009

I came to the university's campus located in dallas with no knowledge of what I was doing or how to go about getting into school. It all started when I explained the the enrollment counselor that I could not afford to pay back loans and I didn't want that option. My fiance and I then sat down with Sean K and began filling paperwork out. I told him that I was pregnant and not working and my only option is to seek grants and scholarships. Once I said I was pregnant he said that qualified me for a full Pella Grant that would cover all of my education needs from books to courses and that I would not have to pay a cent. He said I would een receive excess funds between every 4 blocks to use towards schooling items such as internet bills or a new computer. His exact words were "it's like getting paid to go to school."

I couldn't believe it. I was so happy that I got this grant and had nothing to worry about. Whenever I came across paperwork I didn't understand I asked questions and his exact words were "it's nothing, don't worry about it." He took advantage of me and lied when I questioned. So at this point, I am advised I do have a loan and that I have already occumulated 15000.00 in a student loan that must be paid back.

This is not right. The University of Phoenix's Enrollment department never notified me of a loan or the process of the loan and stated in their so-called notes that they did walk me through it. Well they didn't. They are liars and this has to be stopped. Something has to be done and not just some kind of employee training. I would suggest not applying to this university because no matter who you go through they are all trained to meet a quota and skip the financial part. Someone please help!!

The damage this has done to me as a student is put me in debt if I cannot obtain what I was promised "no cost to me" and is affecting my studying. I have been completely stressed out during my courses and they don't care. Since my degree is already paid for I have no choice but to continue with them and have the choice to leave when I am done which I will do.

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