Kaplan University A financial aid nightmare Ft. Lauderdale Illinois
I am a recent graduate of Kaplan University and I have had nothing but problems with the financial aid department. Like many others, I have had loans cancelled and grants sent back to the Feds. I fought with these people tooth and nail for two years. While I'm glad that I was not alone, I am sorry that so many had to suffer as I did.
Unlike some others, I fought back directly with the financial aid department. I have had numerous battles with Bridget McGuire and Ruben Garcia. I simply did not allow them to get away with whatever they were doing. I stood my ground and I believe Kaplan ate some money as a result. I have kept most of these emails and I will gladly use them in a class action suit if need be. I am also willing to help anyone else who has had the same problems.
I alao question the partnership between Kaplan and Citibank. Why do students have to be forced to work with one bank? I personally do not like Citibank; I would not choose to use them. However, if I wanted my federal loans, I had no choice in the matter. I have to wonder how many kickbacks are happening here.
There were two periods of time when I had no advisor. The first advisor I had was outstanding, but she left. Then the second one I was assigned was as valuable as t**s on a bull. I was not told of a class that I would need to sit for the CPA exam. I never took the class as a result. Now I have a degree that local employers are pretty much laughing at, I am not eligible for most federal and state accounting jobs, and I am over $30,000 in debt. That amount is for only two years as I already had an AAS degree when I started at Kaplan. So another person's claim of the cost exceeding $50 K for four years is not far off.
I do feel the majority of my classes were valuable but the lack of intelligent advisors, the horrid treatment I received from the financial aid office, and now the uselessness of the degree have me pretty irate. I've worked very hard for the past two years, and in many ways I am no better off than I was before.
I do feel online educations can be valuable. However, before attending a school such as Kaplan I suggest looking at your local state university system. Many of these schools have online programs and I personally have a lot more confidence in my local system.
Liz
Townsend, Montana
U.S.A.
9 Updates & Rebuttals
Jax
Its Confidental,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
I had an enjoyble experience with Kaplan and have been able to obtain employment
#10Consumer Comment
Mon, July 13, 2009
It is unfortunate that these individuals have had such terrible luck with Kaplan. I myself have not experienced any of these issues. I am a 4 year graduate of Kaplan and have been able to find a successful career utilizing the knowledge I have learned at Kaplan. Not only have I had great success, and found my education at Kaplan to surpass any brick and mortar school, but also, I have classmates who have also found successful employment.
Now, I cannot speak for every classmate, nor can I speak on behalf of every degree plan. But, I can speak for my experiences and my degree plan. I've had such success with the legal studies program, that I am contemplating continuing on for my Master's degree. If I decide not to attend Kaplan for my Master's degree and utilize a different school, I know my credits will transfer as I have already checked with a few schools in my area.
For that reason alone, I find Kaplan to be a very good choice. In addition, for a student to attend an online school, they must be self-disciplined. There is no one around to handhold a person through school. Self discipline is a highly regarded skill among employers. It shows you have the self discipline needed to focus and get the job done, that you do not have to be micromanaged.
I am sorry for everyone else's misfortunate service with Kaplan. However, I have not experienced any of these issues, and I may just attend again. Only time will tell.
Liz
Townsend,Montana,
U.S.A.
Kaplan, Citibank, and Educational Quality
#10Author of original report
Fri, August 10, 2007
No, Kaplan never promised me a job. But they did promise me a quality education that would impress employers. I did not receive this. I am still unemployed nearly a year after graduation. I can't even get interviews! My GPA was 3.76 so don't tell me it's because I'm stupid or something. As I stated earlier, some courses were good. Others were not. I was not given quality guidance and I did not get some classes that are required for the CPA exam. At this point the degree I received is pretty much worthless.
As for Citibank, the fact that they settled with New York in regards to irregularities in lending practices speaks volumes. I hope and pray other states get involved and slams these people out of business. What they did is wrong, period.
To those of you who insist on standing up to Kaplan - thank you. More power to you all.
To those of you who insist upon stating how wonderful Kaplan is, how much are they paying you?
Liz
Townsend,Montana,
U.S.A.
Kaplan, Citibank, and Educational Quality
#10Author of original report
Fri, August 10, 2007
No, Kaplan never promised me a job. But they did promise me a quality education that would impress employers. I did not receive this. I am still unemployed nearly a year after graduation. I can't even get interviews! My GPA was 3.76 so don't tell me it's because I'm stupid or something. As I stated earlier, some courses were good. Others were not. I was not given quality guidance and I did not get some classes that are required for the CPA exam. At this point the degree I received is pretty much worthless.
As for Citibank, the fact that they settled with New York in regards to irregularities in lending practices speaks volumes. I hope and pray other states get involved and slams these people out of business. What they did is wrong, period.
To those of you who insist on standing up to Kaplan - thank you. More power to you all.
To those of you who insist upon stating how wonderful Kaplan is, how much are they paying you?
Liz
Townsend,Montana,
U.S.A.
Kaplan, Citibank, and Educational Quality
#10Author of original report
Fri, August 10, 2007
No, Kaplan never promised me a job. But they did promise me a quality education that would impress employers. I did not receive this. I am still unemployed nearly a year after graduation. I can't even get interviews! My GPA was 3.76 so don't tell me it's because I'm stupid or something. As I stated earlier, some courses were good. Others were not. I was not given quality guidance and I did not get some classes that are required for the CPA exam. At this point the degree I received is pretty much worthless.
As for Citibank, the fact that they settled with New York in regards to irregularities in lending practices speaks volumes. I hope and pray other states get involved and slams these people out of business. What they did is wrong, period.
To those of you who insist on standing up to Kaplan - thank you. More power to you all.
To those of you who insist upon stating how wonderful Kaplan is, how much are they paying you?
Liz
Townsend,Montana,
U.S.A.
Kaplan, Citibank, and Educational Quality
#10Author of original report
Fri, August 10, 2007
No, Kaplan never promised me a job. But they did promise me a quality education that would impress employers. I did not receive this. I am still unemployed nearly a year after graduation. I can't even get interviews! My GPA was 3.76 so don't tell me it's because I'm stupid or something. As I stated earlier, some courses were good. Others were not. I was not given quality guidance and I did not get some classes that are required for the CPA exam. At this point the degree I received is pretty much worthless.
As for Citibank, the fact that they settled with New York in regards to irregularities in lending practices speaks volumes. I hope and pray other states get involved and slams these people out of business. What they did is wrong, period.
To those of you who insist on standing up to Kaplan - thank you. More power to you all.
To those of you who insist upon stating how wonderful Kaplan is, how much are they paying you?
Mark
Lauderhil,Florida,
U.S.A.
About Citibank
#10Consumer Comment
Sun, February 11, 2007
As for your comments about Citibank, wich is now Affinity, it is the bank that is assigned to work with Kaplan for the federal student loans. In reality there are very few banks that will do student loans anymore. More times then not they go default, and some have no intrest on them.
Now you could go and get your own loan for your education, but Citbank was approved by the federal goverment to give Kaplan University Stanford Student loans.
As for an employer not accepting the degree from Kaplan, well Kaplan cannot be held repsonsible for that. They did not guarentee you a job after you left, but you do know of Kaplan's career center available to all students who have graduated? There are thousands of jobs listed there in almost all states and counties for employers looking for people with degrees from Kaplan.
Steve
Asheville,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Re: Liz from Montana's post
#10Consumer Suggestion
Tue, January 16, 2007
Liz, your statement: "Now I have a degree that local employers are pretty much laughing at, I am not eligible for most federal and state accounting jobs, and I am over $30,000 in debt."
I have posted regarding this and accreditation in general as most people are mislead about what it means.
Yes, right now, the federal government is overhauling itslef and investigating all current employees to meet certainc riteria. Many have been demoted or lost their jobs too! Reason is, unless your particul;ar college and its accreditation council is what the federal government recognizes, then any other degree or accrediting body is not seen in the eyes of the government as legitimate!
Regardless of all the talk today via the internet and amount of scams in every walk of industry and bsuiness, what makes me sick, is why so much of what people need ot know they are NEVER taught in highschool to beginw ith? it almosts eems that the "system" relishes on people being misinformed and given false assumptions all in the name of money making.. If people really knew what accreditation means, or the particulars involved in hundreds of federal type jobs, or thousands of global petroleum/energy jobs while in highschool. so many could have better utilised financial resourecs and time for very high paying careers nobody ever ehars about.
Forget careerbuilder.com, Monster.com, and many others as they have very little of real serious global employment opportunities which you need ot know how to reach; because those companies DO NOT allow 3rd party job brokers to get in the mix who are only seeing commissions for doing nothing, and the compnaies are SERIOUSLY seeking people with skills & expereinces out there and pay high living wages right out of highschool and edcuate their own employees themselevs...
Liz
Townsend,Montana,
U.S.A.
Kaplan Students Unite!
#10Author of original report
Tue, January 09, 2007
I am going to file official complaints against Kaplan with both the FTC and the Dept. of Education. While I still feel some of my classes were valuable, I do not feel I received what I paid for.
Today I got my first job offer since graduation. I was offered a long-term temporary data entry position for $10 an hour. Let's get real here folks! Two years, $45,000 in debt, and this is all I can get? Heck, I made more than that four years ago when I left my last job.
I feel there has to be something going on in the Financial Aid dept as well. Why are we forced to deal with Citibank? Why are so many having grants cancelled and being forced to take out large loans with Citibank?
I feel complaints that carry multiple signatures carry more weight so if anyone else would like to jump on this bandwagon feel free to contact me at the following email address: (((ROR REDACTED E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Gabriel
Naples,Florida,
U.S.A.
Kaplan is a big ripp off
#10UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, December 27, 2006
I feel your pain and you are correct regarding the mismanagement with the Financial Aid department. As a former employee, I witnessed how many students are casualties of this mismanagement situation. A class action lawsuit will be necessary to change the things that need to be change. I truly regret to work for this company that is nothing more than a wiretap call center with a group of micromanagers running the show.
In fact, online education is nothing but a big lie. I personally did homework for a few of my former co-workers and managers. Back then I was working towards my MBA at University of Phoenix Online which is also a paper mill. Kaplan is replicating every single business practice that UOP adopt. As a result, students are the ones who have to pay the big ticket price. I am confident that any of you can get better education at a community college for much less money because this people cannot guarantee your success.
At this point in time, I am drowning in debt. I took almost 50 grand to finance an education that did not pay. I am still stuck in a dead end job without any chances to find a high paying job. I remember the words from my enrollment advisor at Phoenix: "this is an investment that will pay dividends in the long run", well guess what, I graduated in June 2006 and I did not get any dividends.
The bottomline is that these online schools are selling debt and I suspect fraud in almost every single school. A while ago, 60 minutes came out with a special report: "For Profit Colleges, A Costly Lesson". I suggest to any of you to go to CBS.com and look up for the minutes of that show.
Regards,
A former employee of Kaplan