University of Phoenix

Latasha of Bear, DE February 25, 2008

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 February 22, 2008

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 February 22, 2008

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 February 12, 2008

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 February 3, 2008

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 January 28, 2008

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 January 13, 2008

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 January 7, 2008

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 January 4, 2008

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 December 31, 2007

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.

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