Complaint Review: The College Network

         Hello,

         Last year I enrolled with The College Network near the fall of 2014. My represenative was very kind and professional and we spoke briefly of The College Network and the services which they provide. I always liked financial structure and always liked the reassurance of knowing I would be able to afford and complete my objectives and deadlines, therefore liked a feature with the college network where they will send you a check to pay for an examination fee ( also known as check request). Since this feature sounded catchy, I asked of course the time frame it would take to receive my check, and I was told it would take two weeks. At first I was hesitant because I was not thrilled of the time frame, but the represenative advised just ask for the check well in advanced and I should be fine. Therefore based on this condition I agreed to join the college network.

           In september 2014 I made my first check request. I contacted the college network once seeing a delay was taking place, and continued for months on end until it reached 9 MONTHS! To receive my first check request. Naturally I was at my ends meet with this company and was very bothered. Therefore I decided to test the companies integrity further and requested my second check request ( since I had to pay my first exam out of pocket, I was already ready for exam 2 ). It took them 1 month( after the two week time frame ) to send me the second check. So I told them I had wanted to terminate the contract based on there not honoring the services which were mentioned to me prior to start up. ( Mind you not only the represenative mentioned the 2 week time frame, but also when you called the customer support desk at the time they too said 2 weeks. Also I do not blaim the sign up represenative because I am assuming they are trained by this company on what to say).

           In end I called and asked there represenative how may I go about terminating the contract. They advised I had to send a letter to a review board committee. Unfortunately the same week I called was the same week the company said they had to receive the letter in order for it to be included in there next up coming meet. I had found this bizarre because I had sent the letter and it was in there posession several days prior to there meeting because there staff confirmed it. They just refused to include it as part of there meeting. So the company made me wait 2 months to reviewing my request. They then told me once reviewed I had to wait 2 more weeks for the resolution letter to be sent in the mail to me and I would receive it towards the end of the month ( talk about inefficiency and playing with individuals time ).  The conclusion from the letter was that I had to continue with my financial obligations with the lender. No explanations as to why, no apologies. The letter was pretty much a basic template they have, not personal, no sympathy pretty much a 5 year old could print this letter out since it didn't really appear as much was reviewed or considered.  I was taken back they arrived to this conclusion knowing I had proof of there not following the agreed upon terms, such as written sources demonstrating the time frame was not honored ( email clearly shows the 9 months time frame, amongst others ).

          Since the start of my beginning with this dispute, new developments have occured. It seems the very bank my loan is with Southeast financial credit union is also suing the College Network. New individuals have posted similar cases as mine online where the check requests have taken close to a years time to receive. The Florida State Attorney General is now also investigating the College Network it seems ( Should they decide to pursuit this, this would make the 3rd State Attorney Generals office pursuing the College Network, Indiana and New York the first two ). 

          What can I say, what it comes down to. Is did you provide the agreed upon service ? yes or no. In this case it was a dramatic no. The proof is clear as day therefore you need to void the contract after two occasions not providing what was implied and agreed upon. I mean come on 9 months ? you should have at least provided spectacular customer care, rather than delaying me for a second time a month again waiting for the check. How can I trust this company with the next 4 or so check request? Especially while I wait for the check to take my exam, I have a daily interest rate building up. I cannot expedite my self paced program if relying only on the college networks checks to take the exams.  I hope more victims as I start to emerge, this company needs to be shut down since they clearly do not know how to get there act together. They are making innocent people suffer. People who have good intentions and want to better there lives the right way, not in this unethical way of which this company is trying to make a living.

P.S. The area of disapointment seems to be in areas regarding check requests. Do your google searches, you will see there is a grave matter at hand with this organization.

Good luck everyone.