MCJ Solutions, Inc. Sally Mae Financial ripoff, closed after taking my student loan money, victimized many consumers Durham North Carolina
In the fall of 2000, I responded to an ad for technical jobs in the Ft. Lauderdale are. I ad turned out to be a school offering technical training. The name of the school was MCJ Solutions, and it was a new technical institute opening a school in Ft. Lauderdale, but based out of Durham, North Carolina. After reviewing what they said they had to offer me as far as technical training goes. I decided to enroll in their shool. The had me file for financial assistance through Sally Mae. I took out a $15,000 loan to attent MCJ Solutions.
Sally Mae sent the school the check for the sum of the loan which at the time I thought was a great thing because I was on my way to getting the training that I needed to sustain a job in the IT world. The loan from Sally Mae was to be paid back in monthly installments, at first only $10 a month for the first year, and then $180 per month from then on out. I figured that the extra loan payment to Sally Mae was worth it since the program that MCJ Solutions was offering me only lasted 8 months. The so called school also offered a job placement program which I figured would place me in a high paying job in the IT field, and thus make the extra loan payments well worth it.
Then came the first day of school, I was exited, but to my disappointment, there was no one in the school, no lights on, and an eviction notice on the front door along with a notice saying that the school had been cancelled. After doing a litte research, I came to find out that at the time of my enrollment, MCJ Solutions did not have a business license to be operating, nor were the a school in existenc anywhere else. Which leaves me with this question, why did Sally Mae cut a check for over $15,000 to a business, person or school, that was non exiting at the time and had been so for a few months prior. Know I am stuck with a loan payment for the next 20 years and I have nothing to show for it. I have since decided to go back to a four year college and earn my degree through the aid of financial aid. Don't fall for this scam because believe it or not this company is still doing the same thing to my knowledge.
Yogeshwar
Coral Springs, Florida
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Tiffany
Durham,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
My Rip off resolved after 3 years
#4Consumer Suggestion
Wed, January 19, 2005
I wanted to respond to the reports of being ripped off by MCJ Solutions in Durham, NC. First of all I was also ripped off by this school, but I have gotten my issues resolved after 3 years of fighting. Many people say how did we allow ourselves to get sucked into a scam like that. There were a couple of things that made me feel secure about signing up for this school. I did a little homework but apparently it wasn't the right homework.
I researched but I didn't know what exactly to research. I had a church member that was an instructer for this school and he gave them a positive report. Of course by the time the school closed down he was left without weeks of pay. A friend and I began to do research on how to get out of this loan and at first we had no luck.
Sallie Mae told us they would offer us a Teach Out which meant we would have to attend another school. We signed the papers but weren't able to attend this school. Eventually, we talked to someone in SallieMae's Quality Assurance Department and filled out papers for a partial discharge.
My friend got her relief about a year ago and now she has a $0 balance. I am now signing the last paperwork and will have a $0 balance in the next few weeks. I hope that this helps those hundreds of students that signed up for this school.There were many people that did.
Joyce
Kansas City,Missouri,
U.S.A.
ME TOO... I was told I would have to take the entire 160 hour internship over again
#4Consumer Comment
Sun, September 26, 2004
I enrolled at a local "technical college" to pursue education to become a medical technician. I became ill and was not allowed to complete my internship. I was less than 20 hours short of my so-called "degree". I was told I would have to take the entire 160 hour internship over again in order to graduate, even though the booklet stated a project could be completed in lieu of the externship. I couldn't afford to do this so I dropped out.
I am paying the student loan, however, I also am aware that these schools take anybody. Anybody can pass the pre-testing exams they administer to attend these schools thus assuring that all the students qualify for student aid, even though they will probably drop out due to not being intelligent enough to complete the classes.
These schools get their money, regardless of their sub level teaching. That's how they keep ripping people off. I complained to the state but it did no good. I actually witnessed other students drawing blood from me in class under unsterile conditions and they couldn't even pass the math tests. I wish I would have quit and complained sooner and maybe I wouldn't be repaying this student loan of $7500 until I'm way past retirement age.
Thing of it is, we get embarrassed to acknowledge we made a big mistake, then if we quit, it's too late to get a refund, and no one will listen to you. They just mark you down as a disgruntled ex student who is trying to get their money back, after dropping out. These career colleges have ripped people off for years.
I wish the feds would cut out all student aide to these places then they couldn't operate and take advantage of single parents trying to get career education in a short amount of time. They may be less expensive than main stream colleges, but, in the end, more expensive because you don't get a good level of training, they already have your money, and YOU get stuck with the bill for 10 or 15 years.
If you default your credit is ruined. These places are the biggest rip off around, next to the car title and check writing places for short term loans.
Richard
Long Beach,California,
U.S.A.
You were ripped off.
#4Consumer Comment
Fri, July 16, 2004
I read your rip off report. I can only say what came to mind as I was reading it. I can't believe you actually even persued the school then, went as far as taking out the loans without checking into the school, it's credentials and instructors first. In this day and age, there are soooo many ways to do this not to mention the means you used to write this report (The internet).
I think it's people like you who don't do their homework before class that deserve what they get. I don't mean to say your an idiot but as I read further, I'm not sure you have a High School diploma what with all the mis spellings and all. As for advice to you and others who fall prey to this sort of scam. I would only give the following advice: Make sure you are at least 12th grade competant or have a GED or equivalent because no matter which legitimate school you select, they are giving you an entrance exam of some sort. YOU WILL HAVE TO PASS IT! ALSO, when looking for a vocational school like you did. How about checking into some of the more knowns (For your chosen field IT) like DeVry/Keller Gruaduate Schools, ITT Technical institute or a State University? I think you'd have a better chance of not getting ripped off especially if your not going to do the checking before hand.
Loans? Federal and State Governments have regulations as far as which schools are eligeble for what loans. I have a hard time believing that they cut a check to this school at all. Did you get a bill? If not, then the loan never went through. Maybe you shold check with the loan provider.