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AIU - American International University Online destroyed my life, need help ASAP with possible lawsuit for ripoffs Hoffman Estates Illinois
$9,833.73... This is the amount I owe on the loans for going to AIU online for three classes.
My horror story begins New Years day 2005. I had decided after a long debate to return back to school after 30 years. The company I worked for was laying off people rapidly, and I decided to start back to school. Since I have something wrong with my health, I was to worn out going to the actual campus and working full time. Online school seemed like a dream come true for me. I could stay home, get a degree, even when I wasn't feeling good.
After, my initial conversations with Aiu on the phone, I was talked into joining the school. I was told that there was no better school or programs I could be involved in. I was sold instantly, almost like buying a car. I had told AIU that I was only interested in Criminal Justice but they put me in Business. I had a start date of New Years Day, with no student advisor, no books, no instruction as to navigating my way around the virtual campus.
I am 46 years old and I didn't know how to get started. I had to call another online school and ask them what they thought I should do. The week after Christmas I couldn't contact anyone to help me. I also was informed (the financial dept) that I needed a cosigner on my Sallie Mae loan. The regular loans weren't enough to pay for my school. Also, I had tuition reimbursement at my job for business.
On my birthday (Dec. 29) my little 83 year old grandmother came to see me and I had to have her be my cosigner. I was not properly expained the entire cost of the program. I was told $1,400, and $2,000 by different student admissions people. It became ridiculous!!! I was so frustrated that I called other online schools to find out how to cancel my enrollment with AIU. I found out and wrote them a letter explaining why I did not get started. I didn't have to pay anything this time around.
As time passed, I was getting contacted frequently by the admissions staff at AIU asking me why I had not followed through with my education. I finally told them. That was my BIG mistake!!! I should have never gotton involved with them again but I wanted an education so bad. I wanted to have a career to fall back on if I was layed off at my company.
I finally decided to try again. This time the staff at AIU, was very helpful. They told me how to fill out my forms and navigate the sites. I started school and even though I had some personal problems they were understanding at first. My first class, I worked hard and made an A.
My second class, marketing I worked very hard. The professor was from India or something and I had trouble understanding the projects I was to do. There were individual projects and group projects. When we were put into a group is when my problems started. I was in a group with a man who also worked for my company. He was in the corporate office in Georgia, and I am here in Texas. He was a senior manager to the CEO of this huge corporation. (LOCKHEED MARTIN)- FIGHTER JETS MADE FOR WAR!!!
I found out that to be a senior manager within the company, a person has to have a degree. This man did not have one. He called me on the phone and when he found out I worked for Lockheed, he thought he was my best friend or something. I just listened to him talk. He talked about having an affair with me and said he got where he was by his good looks and golf game. His wife was in the room, (I COULD HEAR HER) He talked about how he lied about his degree. He told me that he had hired someone to take the AIU clep tests for him so he would pass. He also told me that he was cheating his way through AIU, and he explained to me how he planned to cheat on the group project we had in marketing class.
I immediately told the professor about the cheating that was going on in class. The professor didn't believe me!!! No one believed me!!! I was layed off from my job!!! I kept writing the school counselors and the professor. No one cared!!!. I ended up with an "F". Everyone else got an "A".
Since this company is a government security risk, I notified security about this guy who was trying to be something he clearly wasn't. They planned to investigate. Well, guess who got terminated??? ME!!!! The company used the excuse that I didn't know my work to fire me. After 27 years, I got fired!!! I had worked there since I was 18. I had not been in a position to be layed off, other people were under me.
I was set until this happened. I went through the union to get a layoff, so I could get unemployment and get another job. The union got this for me. This guy, had his associates call me at work before I got fired and threaten me.
I don't know what happened to him but he was scary. He was unstable, and I felt that he caused me to loose my job. All because of the AIU cheating incident.... I know that he was making upward of $100,000/a year. I on the other hand worked my a** off for $40,000 a year.
AIU refused to do anything to remedy this situation. They called me a lier. I was devestated. Then I told them I quit and they sent me a Math book and started me on a math class. I kept telling them I wanted to quit. I got an F on that class also. Then they sent me another book.... All of this cost me $9,833.73 and my job of 27 years. Now, I am unemployed, and since I am 46, I have to go back to school again to learn new skills. I have no insurance for the illnesses that I have and no money except unemployment.
I tried to find out the president or head people over this so-called school but couldn't. I would like my money back and money for my many nights crying wishing I could die.
Darla
Fort Worth, Texas
U.S.A.
11 Updates & Rebuttals
Darla
Fort Worth,Texas,
U.S.A.
2006 - Another Complaint on AIU
#12Author of original report
Tue, February 14, 2006
After filing my original complaint, I wanted you to know that AIU has still ripped me off. I recently, received a form for my taxes from AIU that says that they have charged me $4,500 for two months and three classes. I have had numerous talks with the banks on possible Fraud charges on the school. The last time that I talked with AIU they assured me that they would pay the money they had taken from the bank back. They were taking money for me when I wasn't even in school etc. I am devestated and I hope that I will get this taken care of shortly. I think it was a tragic mistake to try to make me believe that I owe so much money only for three classes and only two of which I completed. Thank you for filing this report.....
Sondra
Beloit,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
THANX
#12Consumer Comment
Wed, December 07, 2005
THANKS, SO WHAT IS THE OUTCOME WITH YOUR BEING IN TOUCH WITH THEIR LICENSING AGENCY ANHOW, I BELIEVE THAT THE RESEARCH ABOUT THIS MATTER HAS BECOME QUITE INTERESTING LOL. GET BACK TO ME SOON, THANKS.
Darla
Fort Worth,Texas,
U.S.A.
Response to Sondra
#12REBUTTAL Individual responds
Tue, December 06, 2005
Dear Sondra,
The # for the Dept. of Education is 1-800-621-3115. Also, I have been in touch with the school's State License Agency.
Sondra
Beloit,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
YUP YOUR WELCOME ANYTIME
#12Consumer Comment
Tue, December 06, 2005
yes your welcome, if the departmentof educastion finds out that this so called aiu is the way they are, they may just shut the illinois location down as well, they did that in texas and i would like to see governor rod blagoiavich do something constructive with his time and look into shutng aiu out of vusiness. your welcome anyhow. just thaught i'd give that advice since that is not the legalest way to deal with things, calling a student or so called student day after day after day 20x a day is just not the way it should be done, if they are calling you and you are on the fcc's no call list, you can report that as harassment. just go to either the no call's site at www.donotcall.gov, or call 800 966-2255 that's 800 9-no-call. thanks truely.
Darla
Fort Worth,Texas,
U.S.A.
Thanx
#12REBUTTAL Individual responds
Sun, December 04, 2005
Thanks Sondra,
I appreciate your comment. I am seriously thinking of taking your advice, and turn to the DEPT of EDUCATION..... Thanks again....
Sondra
Beloit,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
yes they say they are the best world leader in education
#12Consumer Comment
Sun, December 04, 2005
HI THERE DARLA
i think that this aiu thing is a lot of trash, yes they say they are the best world leader in education but now that i have seen threads on this entire subject, i dont think i believe em now because all i have seen is "they cheat" or "they treat their employees porrly". they are NOT a professional school like they say they are but a bunch of busy body slave drivers. FILE A LAWSUIT NOW. thanks.
Darla
Fort Worth,Texas,
U.S.A.
AIU AMERICAN INTERCONTINTAL RESPONDS TO REPORT
#12Author of original report
Fri, November 25, 2005
Hi again,
A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call from a Dept. of Education. A lady with authority wanted to know my story!! I told her that I would email her with the details. I emailed her. Later on, I received a response via email that she would help me with this matter of the money and the grade problems at AIU. To my surprise, I also got a phone call from a spokesman from AIU. A very nice girl who said she worked with the President/Dean of the school called. Her recommendation was to return the money and change my grade of F to at least a passing C grade. She later wanted me to let you know that AIU will do what is right when she fixes these problems for me. I let her know that when she these problems go away, I will let you know that the school has made good on their promises. I have yet to hear from her or the school on this matter yet. I asked for a signed copy as well as an email copy of the changes. I am very leary of online schools now because of this bad faith caused by AIU. I would like to go on with my life and since I have no job I need to go back to school somewhere. When I do, as I promised AIU, I will let you know that they (AIU) have fulfilled the promises to me, regarding my problems with the school. Until Later - I couldn't have done this without your help!!! Thanks again!!!
Darla
Fort Worth,Texas,
U.S.A.
AIU AMERICAN INTERCONTINTAL RESPONDS TO REPORT
#12Author of original report
Fri, November 25, 2005
Hi again,
A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call from a Dept. of Education. A lady with authority wanted to know my story!! I told her that I would email her with the details. I emailed her. Later on, I received a response via email that she would help me with this matter of the money and the grade problems at AIU. To my surprise, I also got a phone call from a spokesman from AIU. A very nice girl who said she worked with the President/Dean of the school called. Her recommendation was to return the money and change my grade of F to at least a passing C grade. She later wanted me to let you know that AIU will do what is right when she fixes these problems for me. I let her know that when she these problems go away, I will let you know that the school has made good on their promises. I have yet to hear from her or the school on this matter yet. I asked for a signed copy as well as an email copy of the changes. I am very leary of online schools now because of this bad faith caused by AIU. I would like to go on with my life and since I have no job I need to go back to school somewhere. When I do, as I promised AIU, I will let you know that they (AIU) have fulfilled the promises to me, regarding my problems with the school. Until Later - I couldn't have done this without your help!!! Thanks again!!!
Darla
Fort Worth,Texas,
U.S.A.
AIU AMERICAN INTERCONTINTAL RESPONDS TO REPORT
#12Author of original report
Fri, November 25, 2005
Hi again,
A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call from a Dept. of Education. A lady with authority wanted to know my story!! I told her that I would email her with the details. I emailed her. Later on, I received a response via email that she would help me with this matter of the money and the grade problems at AIU. To my surprise, I also got a phone call from a spokesman from AIU. A very nice girl who said she worked with the President/Dean of the school called. Her recommendation was to return the money and change my grade of F to at least a passing C grade. She later wanted me to let you know that AIU will do what is right when she fixes these problems for me. I let her know that when she these problems go away, I will let you know that the school has made good on their promises. I have yet to hear from her or the school on this matter yet. I asked for a signed copy as well as an email copy of the changes. I am very leary of online schools now because of this bad faith caused by AIU. I would like to go on with my life and since I have no job I need to go back to school somewhere. When I do, as I promised AIU, I will let you know that they (AIU) have fulfilled the promises to me, regarding my problems with the school. Until Later - I couldn't have done this without your help!!! Thanks again!!!
Darla
Fort Worth,Texas,
U.S.A.
AIU AMERICAN INTERCONTINTAL - ONLINE STUDENT LOAN RIPOFF
#12Author of original report
Sat, October 29, 2005
After I filed this report, I want to change the tone of my complaint. I want to remind myself that I was very stupid to think that this school was for real - " It was too good to be true". I have lost a great deal of money and now I have nothing to show for it. I started this school March 20, 2005, and withdrew July 4, 2005. I took a total of three classes. I made an A on the first class, an F on the next, and an incomplete on the last. This was because, I had no more interest in staying in this stupid school. I told them I wanted to withdraw. They realized that I was serious in July and granted my withdrawl. I asked for my grades to be reviewed accordingly, but they weren't changed. The cheating scandal in the Marketing class by a classmate and eventually the whole class. My grades still didn't get changed. I have asked them for my transcript and they told me that they would have to charge me for it. Whatever!!! Then I questioned AIU and their professional finance department. I called Wachovia Bank where they finance for many students. The loans were all there and in two other banks. I found approx. $2.000 in Stillwater Bank ( Sallie Mae ) and then approx. $2,000 taken from Wachovia. These two distributions were made after I withdrew and left the school on July 12, 2005. The Wachovia Bank still had me graduating in 2006. They weren't informed of my departure until a third party told them. The last two distributions made were made after I left the school and the bank says they can't make the school pay the money back. I asked the school and of course they didn't do anything wrong. They can't answer the discrepancy. They owe the banks about $4.000 that I will end up paying for later. I don't owe this money!!! The school says that I owe 7,000 and something now. But according to the Department of Education, I have to write a letter to the dean of the school to settle this situation. I have no idea how to get this information on the dean. They also said I will probably have to sue the school to get this money back. How ridiculous!!!!! How reckless, and how many other students do they ripoff????? They can't fix my life, but I only want this money put back in the bank. If I file a lawsuit, I will go for the whole $9,000. I don't think this is funny!!! What a ripoff, the fleecing of America's student's!!!!!
John
Knoxville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
Research pays off.
#12Consumer Comment
Tue, October 25, 2005
In reply to this post, and many like it, I wish to respond as a professional businessman, educator and student at American Intercontinental Universtity. On-line, or distance-learning programs are difficult for many. This is not a traditional "brick and mortar" setting and, if your only experience in higher education has been a more traditional one, you will have difficulty with AIU, or any other internet based learning system.
I possess two Bachelor's Degrees, an MBA, and am a retired senior Army NCO. I am always dubious of any offer that appears 'too good to be true", but so far, with three classes under my belt, a phenomenal response and follow through from all departments of the school, and some of the most academically challenging courses I have ever taken. In sharp contrast to the poster's comments, I found my academic advisor, financial aid, Tech Support and my instructors to be superb. The bottom lione is research before buying and know YOUR OWN LIMITATIONS. Additionally, there are no instructors at AIU without a solid academic background and a clear understanding of the English language. This is easy to check out and there are many resources to deal with the individual you were faced with from your company. Primarily through your company. Your failure to handle that situation in a manner pleasing to you should not be an indictment of the school ingeneral. The colleges are SACS certified and accredited. That organization has an ombudsman as does the Department of Education. You need to contact Sallie Mae with specific concerns about your loans. The school doesn't issue the loan, it administer's it and, if services were rendered, payment is due.