Complaint Review: Univeristy Of Phoneix - Axia College

I was so glad to have tried to contect AXIA college one last time. I was looking for a new phone number as a better way to try and finally get in touch with someone when google allowed me to see these reports of the same thing happening to others. I am not having buyer's remorse. I have always paid all my debts and tired of being accused of trying to get out of paying someone. I was taught that if you made a mistake you have to fix it. I had velt wrong about this since day one and now I am voicing my opinion.

I was debating on starting the University of Phoenix on the side, apart from my full-time enrollment at my local college for Physical Therapy. I was wanting to obtain my business degree so I could have a better job to pay my way through the end of Physical Therapy clinicals. I told them in December 2006 that I was unsure if I wanted to enroll and would be thinking more about it come January 2007. A little more settled and able to think about the whole process. Well, I received a call in January saying that I was enrolled for my first classes and then a week later,on Friday, an email saying that classes start Monday. I had told them that I could not afford it and make sure that I either had enough financial aid to cover and was able to apply for a loan for this school if need be to help also. I was not informed that they were going to take it upon themselves to fill out loan applications for me. I was okay with repaying if the education was exactly what they promised.

My main concern at this point was did I have enough time alotted for these new courses I was to take. I also was not informed until after enrollment that if I dropped or need to take time off....you were only allowed so many days before you had to start back. I was led to believe that this was going to be a "on my time" kind of thing since it was online. I told them in the beginning that I was trying to work extra in that semester and had decided to take off Spring sememster in my full-time college to do so. My advisor told me that I would have plenty of time for classes because it would only take up to 2 hours a week at the most. Yeah I completed 5 weeks. I pushed myself as hard as I could to do the best I could with what time I had. I tried because I felt I was obligated and convinced I had given the go ahead for everything so I felt "at fault". Anyway. Long story short. I was not able to take the time and submit all of my assignments on time and ended up having to drop the classes. I felt horrible for failing at something I felt. I am not reporting this because I failed either. I tried to contact my academic counselor several times over two weeks before I dropped and ask him why he told me it would take so little time during the week and it took much more. I tried while I was attending classes to contact the person that is supposed to walk me through any troubles during the first nine weeks and no calls back. The classes were not hard, but they did take time I did not have and was unsure of from the beginning and they knew it. I was trying to contact him to let him know this and no response.I then became suspicious. Later I received calls saying that I had to pay in full because I dropped the classes for a pure lack of time. I told them that my advisor had told me it would only take 2 hours a week to do at the most and she laughed and said she would take care of it. She agreed I was misled and was going to go to administration and see what she could do. The phone calls continued for a few months and she totally agreed with me on the matter of being rushed into things and him telling me the wrong amount of time for the classes. If I had known that the classes would have taken so long to complete each week and would only get more involved as the weeks went on I would have never signed up and they knew it. I debated signing up for a month until I got a phone call saying I was enrolled and they had taken care of everything. A little pressure I must say. I am glad to see now that I am not the only one. I am a smart girl with outstanding credit that is now in collections after people avoided my phone calls like I was trying to get out of paying something. I am not that way and am tired of feeling that way when I try and voice my opinion. Why did the administration never call me on the matter or clear things up and then turn me into collections without ever receiving another bill for that matter for months? It is all very confusing to me bc I do not have a degree in these types situations or subjects nor am I a lawyer and cannot afford one. Seems like they know that and are preying on those that cannot afford to have things fully investigated and legalized or whatever.

I told all of my friends that the classes seemed a little strange anyway in how they were conducted and I was worried that I was paying all this money for classes that probably would not even transfer anyway. I have heard of that happening also. I just want to know more about these investigations and why nothing is being done and more and more innocent people that have no clue about these reports and being "scammed" out of their hard earned money. Another way it seems of the big guy picking on the little guy and laughing about it.

I read another report and how someone from AXIA said that only 47 reports were made out of thousands. There are almost 300 now and rising daily I am sure because of people like me. One person can do a lot. What about 300 or more?

I am probably going to have to pay this money now just so the collection calls will stop. It is not a matter of repayment and I cannot. I just do not feel that if someone wronged me that I should be giving them any money at all. I am all in favor of a class action lawsuit. The more and more people I voice these opinions and matters to the more I hear about how wrong they have done people. Just unfortuantely not many know about this site. Sad day for the small guy again!

Thanks for listening!

The following is a quote from the U.S Dept of Education on UOP recruiting abuses.

Anything sound familiar?

"A number of recruiters at the On Line Campus were aware of instances where other recruiters had forged or "cut and pasted" student signatures electronically onto master promissory notes and other enrollment documents in order to get the application or enrollment credit by announced deadlines. Employees recounted that one recruiter was so good at forging student signatures, that he was dubbed "The Doctor." One manager expected his recruiters to complete paperwork that the student is required to complete. He went so far as to train new recruiters how to complete or modify a student's paperwork in order to expedite the credit of an enrollment."

Your post is quite informative, but it has not been posted in the MAIN UOP message board(type in full name University of Phoenix). I am pasting part of your message there, but you should come to that board to discuss these relevant issues.

I wouldnt have made the accusations unless I had reason to believe that's what happened in this situation and a had little bit of proof to back it up. Since the person I'm accusing of doing this had made verbal promises and assurances that are recorded during phone conversations - I have enough evidence to suspect that was the situation. Either way, the law allows me to hold the person & the company that hired the person responsible for the accusations and promises he had made on their behalf. Now am I saying I know for a FACT that he logged on and altered the information and then told me about it?? NO, I did not personally see him doing any of this so that is defenitly not what I'm saying. BUT I already finished speaking with the fraud investigation personell and forwarded them all the documentation I had collected from this individual & they have authorized the return of the funds.

The investigation is almost completed and I really hope that this individual gets in trouble for this - he had caused a lot of people a head ache and additional work. Its a sad situation either way - this persons actions represent a company thus giving all other emplolyees a bad name when I know there are some people that care and are VERY helpful.

I wouldnt have made the accusations unless I had reason to believe that's what happened in this situation and a had little bit of proof to back it up. Since the person I'm accusing of doing this had made verbal promises and assurances that are recorded during phone conversations - I have enough evidence to suspect that was the situation. Either way, the law allows me to hold the person & the company that hired the person responsible for the accusations and promises he had made on their behalf. Now am I saying I know for a FACT that he logged on and altered the information and then told me about it?? NO, I did not personally see him doing any of this so that is defenitly not what I'm saying. BUT I already finished speaking with the fraud investigation personell and forwarded them all the documentation I had collected from this individual & they have authorized the return of the funds.

The investigation is almost completed and I really hope that this individual gets in trouble for this - he had caused a lot of people a head ache and additional work. Its a sad situation either way - this persons actions represent a company thus giving all other emplolyees a bad name when I know there are some people that care and are VERY helpful.

I wouldnt have made the accusations unless I had reason to believe that's what happened in this situation and a had little bit of proof to back it up. Since the person I'm accusing of doing this had made verbal promises and assurances that are recorded during phone conversations - I have enough evidence to suspect that was the situation. Either way, the law allows me to hold the person & the company that hired the person responsible for the accusations and promises he had made on their behalf. Now am I saying I know for a FACT that he logged on and altered the information and then told me about it?? NO, I did not personally see him doing any of this so that is defenitly not what I'm saying. BUT I already finished speaking with the fraud investigation personell and forwarded them all the documentation I had collected from this individual & they have authorized the return of the funds.

The investigation is almost completed and I really hope that this individual gets in trouble for this - he had caused a lot of people a head ache and additional work. Its a sad situation either way - this persons actions represent a company thus giving all other emplolyees a bad name when I know there are some people that care and are VERY helpful.

I wouldnt have made the accusations unless I had reason to believe that's what happened in this situation and a had little bit of proof to back it up. Since the person I'm accusing of doing this had made verbal promises and assurances that are recorded during phone conversations - I have enough evidence to suspect that was the situation. Either way, the law allows me to hold the person & the company that hired the person responsible for the accusations and promises he had made on their behalf. Now am I saying I know for a FACT that he logged on and altered the information and then told me about it?? NO, I did not personally see him doing any of this so that is defenitly not what I'm saying. BUT I already finished speaking with the fraud investigation personell and forwarded them all the documentation I had collected from this individual & they have authorized the return of the funds.

The investigation is almost completed and I really hope that this individual gets in trouble for this - he had caused a lot of people a head ache and additional work. Its a sad situation either way - this persons actions represent a company thus giving all other emplolyees a bad name when I know there are some people that care and are VERY helpful.

Hi Kamila,

I know that the financial aid process can be confusing. But what you are accusing the employee of is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. If you feel that the employee used your password and applied for a Stafford loan without your consent, then be prepared to present this as evidence because even an accusation or assertion can ruin lives. However, if the employee knowingly and deceitfully altered your application, then this person should be punished. But here's the thing, what incentive would this person have in doing this.

Keep in mind, the enrollment counselor doesn't earn a commission for "singing you up." A factor in an enrollment counselor's semi-annual review is actually how many of his/her students students stayed in class! So it would seem ludacris for your enrollment counselor to "lie" to you to get you into school.

All I am saying is just be careful in accusing someone of a federal offense.

The enrollment counselor was advised against pulling out loans - I also asked on numerous occasions if I don't receive the full grant what would I myself be responsible for - his response was that I should run into this problem since I qualify for numerous grants ( money I don't have to pay back). I had told him that I would not start school because I wanted to make sure I would be available for the "FULL" grants before anything happened - he had told me that was the case - Which he had received a GO AHEAD from the finance department and to go on with my classes. He did find out my password to my FAFSA which he shouldn't know (my mistake) thus I can only suspect that he changed it to my loan option since I stopped once it brought me to a page where I needed to choose what "loan" company I wanted & saved the application (not submitted) - then some time later finished filling it out with "me being responsible for remaining amount".

To my surprise later in the month receiving an approval letter for a loan. After that my enrollment counselor stopped returning calls. It really is fortunate that an employee had told me this - and that information was recorded when he was calling my place of business. I can use that to my advantage and hold the employee & his company personally responsible - in addition I was only a student for 2 weeks which my enrollment counselor should have taken me through and not the finance person who I never spoke with or anyone else. Now I'm not seeking revenge against the school - but the individual persons that are responsible. Currently this situation is being reviewed by the appropriate management at the UOP and has already admitted that this kind of behavior is not by any means a reflection of UOP. I'm not playing naive by any means I'm well aware of what I did and what I signed up for - so don't overstep your boundaries by what you say. I'm glad I have enough proof to back me up.

The enrollment counselor was advised against pulling out loans - I also asked on numerous occasions if I don't receive the full grant what would I myself be responsible for - his response was that I should run into this problem since I qualify for numerous grants ( money I don't have to pay back). I had told him that I would not start school because I wanted to make sure I would be available for the "FULL" grants before anything happened - he had told me that was the case - Which he had received a GO AHEAD from the finance department and to go on with my classes. He did find out my password to my FAFSA which he shouldn't know (my mistake) thus I can only suspect that he changed it to my loan option since I stopped once it brought me to a page where I needed to choose what "loan" company I wanted & saved the application (not submitted) - then some time later finished filling it out with "me being responsible for remaining amount".

To my surprise later in the month receiving an approval letter for a loan. After that my enrollment counselor stopped returning calls. It really is fortunate that an employee had told me this - and that information was recorded when he was calling my place of business. I can use that to my advantage and hold the employee & his company personally responsible - in addition I was only a student for 2 weeks which my enrollment counselor should have taken me through and not the finance person who I never spoke with or anyone else. Now I'm not seeking revenge against the school - but the individual persons that are responsible. Currently this situation is being reviewed by the appropriate management at the UOP and has already admitted that this kind of behavior is not by any means a reflection of UOP. I'm not playing naive by any means I'm well aware of what I did and what I signed up for - so don't overstep your boundaries by what you say. I'm glad I have enough proof to back me up.

The enrollment counselor was advised against pulling out loans - I also asked on numerous occasions if I don't receive the full grant what would I myself be responsible for - his response was that I should run into this problem since I qualify for numerous grants ( money I don't have to pay back). I had told him that I would not start school because I wanted to make sure I would be available for the "FULL" grants before anything happened - he had told me that was the case - Which he had received a GO AHEAD from the finance department and to go on with my classes. He did find out my password to my FAFSA which he shouldn't know (my mistake) thus I can only suspect that he changed it to my loan option since I stopped once it brought me to a page where I needed to choose what "loan" company I wanted & saved the application (not submitted) - then some time later finished filling it out with "me being responsible for remaining amount".

To my surprise later in the month receiving an approval letter for a loan. After that my enrollment counselor stopped returning calls. It really is fortunate that an employee had told me this - and that information was recorded when he was calling my place of business. I can use that to my advantage and hold the employee & his company personally responsible - in addition I was only a student for 2 weeks which my enrollment counselor should have taken me through and not the finance person who I never spoke with or anyone else. Now I'm not seeking revenge against the school - but the individual persons that are responsible. Currently this situation is being reviewed by the appropriate management at the UOP and has already admitted that this kind of behavior is not by any means a reflection of UOP. I'm not playing naive by any means I'm well aware of what I did and what I signed up for - so don't overstep your boundaries by what you say. I'm glad I have enough proof to back me up.

The enrollment counselor was advised against pulling out loans - I also asked on numerous occasions if I don't receive the full grant what would I myself be responsible for - his response was that I should run into this problem since I qualify for numerous grants ( money I don't have to pay back). I had told him that I would not start school because I wanted to make sure I would be available for the "FULL" grants before anything happened - he had told me that was the case - Which he had received a GO AHEAD from the finance department and to go on with my classes. He did find out my password to my FAFSA which he shouldn't know (my mistake) thus I can only suspect that he changed it to my loan option since I stopped once it brought me to a page where I needed to choose what "loan" company I wanted & saved the application (not submitted) - then some time later finished filling it out with "me being responsible for remaining amount".

To my surprise later in the month receiving an approval letter for a loan. After that my enrollment counselor stopped returning calls. It really is fortunate that an employee had told me this - and that information was recorded when he was calling my place of business. I can use that to my advantage and hold the employee & his company personally responsible - in addition I was only a student for 2 weeks which my enrollment counselor should have taken me through and not the finance person who I never spoke with or anyone else. Now I'm not seeking revenge against the school - but the individual persons that are responsible. Currently this situation is being reviewed by the appropriate management at the UOP and has already admitted that this kind of behavior is not by any means a reflection of UOP. I'm not playing naive by any means I'm well aware of what I did and what I signed up for - so don't overstep your boundaries by what you say. I'm glad I have enough proof to back me up.

I too, am one of those whinners that has been ripped off and cheated by Axia college.I have to agree with you in some of your comments. The days when forthrightness and honesty from companies and education facilities are over. Most of the students at axia college are just average people trying to better themselves; Not lawyers or accountants. So I guess the ones that believed the axia counselors or didn't take the documents to a lawyer, accountant, or the banking industry, were just silly hardworking individuals who still believe that people are basically good. We are ripe for business organizations who believe that people like us are cheated fairly.

Did you not question what the Wells Fargo Federal Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note application was? The word "LOAN" is all over it. There is no reason for an admissions counselor to lie to you and tell you everything is covered by grants because they don't get paid on commission and calls are monitored by quality assurance.

Counselors are also responsible for getting their students through their entire first 9 week semester and two weeks into their second semester, not just the enrollment process. After the student reaches two weeks into their second semester, the student is transitioned to their academic counselor who stays with them for their entire degree program. This academic counselor continues working directly with the enrollment counselor. Even at this point the enrollment counselor maintains contact with the student in a back-up role. So it just doesn't make sense that your enrollment counselor would slam you into starting school by assuring that you are using grants only.

To a lot of students unfamiliar with the process, "financial aid" is assumed to be grants only; however, "financial aid" include federally guaranteed Stafford loans too. These loans are not based on credit or income, so they are indeed aiding you financially.

There is no way that you did not know you were applying for a stafford loan because even the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is hosted by the Department of Education, asks a very simple question: "In addition to Grants are you also interested in Student Loans?" If you answered "No," you would have never received the letter from Wells Fargo because the government would not have signed off as the guarantor. You absolutely answered to answer "yes" to that question. So it sounds like a case of "buyer's remorse." Just keep in mind that not only are you asked this question on the federal application, you are also asked on the school's application. If you said "no" to this question on either application you would not have even posted this complaint. So don't play stupid or naive - businesses everywhere get customers like you who play the "but, I didn't know what I was doing" card.

I had recently been a victim of fraud by one of your employees (Bret Erixcon). He was advised to find out how much assistance I would be able to receive in financial aid, but at no point and time was given permission to pull out loans from the government. He was advised against it on numerous occasions and assured me that there will NOT be any loans pulled out to fund my schooling; furthermore I was advised that the courses would be covered by a grant. I had made the staff at Apollo aware that I was not to be enrolled until they had a definite answer for me. He had my pin number so I'm not sure what kind of adjustments he had made, when I asked him in regards to the loans he told me to disregard them and they are not being used.

I contacted Wells Fargo (who had sent me a letter) and was told that these are loans I will have to repay. I contacted Bret at the Apollo Group and was given a response of "well you're enrolled now so I have nothing to do with it" I'm assuming the counselors are paid by the number of students that sign up for your school, so Bret had not only lied but fraudulently opened a loan after he was advised not to. I had dropped the courses he had enrolled me in (after 3 weeks) and was told I now owe $1900 and that will be taken out of a Pell grant. Even though I was ultimately enrolled at Axia College, I was assured by Bret Erixcon that I could drop the courses without penalty if I did not receive the full amount of grants or if I had to pay out of pocket.

No loans were discussed at this time either. I would like to review the phone and email correspondence that was being monitored. I was advised by Wells Fargo to contact the UOP finance department to refund the money, and if that was not taken care of to pursue UOP in court. This seems like a lot of hassle for a university to deal with and everyone else involved. I have been mislead by the advisors employed at your company, and was a victim of fraudulent behavior by your staff. This issue requires immediate assistance I'm not responsible for the loan that was pulled out or the tuition incurred, your assistance is imperative.