Complaint Review: University Of Phoenix

When i called UOP in Feb 2004, I explained my particular situation and that I could not afford any out of pocket expenses for school. During the month and a half it took to enroll me, I had three different admissions counselors and each admissions couselor assured me that I would have no out of pocket expenses. That was a lie.

I was also told by all three admissions counselors that they would waive the entrance fee for military and their spouces but the catch was that I had to apply with in a certian period of time. Come to find out they offer to waive the entrance fee for any person considering their school, not just "as a service to the military and their spouces".

The first class I was scheduled to attend was Gen 300. This class is required and designed to orient students with UOP's on line environment. Basically, while other on line schools provide a free orientation to familiarize the students with their on line environmnet. UOP makes their orientation a required five week long class to the tune of $1350. What UOP also does not tell their students is that the credits for Gen 300 are non transferable.
The second class I atteneded had a required CD that the student was expected to buy out of their own pocket for $22.00. I was bothered by this but figured it was just a fluke and since ti was only 22 dollars I didn't complain. Though I was not happy.

Two weeks into my second class, the module for my third class became available for viewing. When I looked it over, I noticed that two texts books were required to the tune of $135.00! I immediatly got in contact with three other students in my current class and told them. They two were scheduled to attend that class and also knew nothing about having to buy their own text books. They too were told they would have no out of pocket expenses.

I immediatly emailed my military financial advisor. When she did not responde, I called the school and was passed around to several people and told someone would call me back. AFter several days, no one did. I called the school again and was passed around.

Finally I was put on the phone with "Gwedo the bone crusher". Who told me that there was nothing they could do to help me and I would have to purchase the text books myself. At this time, I had a remaining amount of $250.00 on my student account and was told that money could not be used to purchase my text books.

I with drew myself from the class and asked that I was sent what was needed to offically with draw myself from the school. After several phone calls and emails I finally harrassed them enough and was sent the withdrawal form. Which I immediatly filled out and faxed to the school. And I asked for confirmation by email that it was recieved.

It took four days and repeated emails before I got that confirmation. When I called the school to verify my official withdrawal I was told by the financial advisor that after the return to lender of my student aid that I would owe UOP $740.00 out of my own pocket!

I explained to the advisor that I with drew because their admissions counselors lied to get me to apply to the school. At no time did anyone tell me that my text books were not covered in my tuition.I further more told her I would be down at the JAG office first thing the next morning to have the military attorneys handle this matter. The amount I was left owing the school, miraculously dropped to an "estiamted" $67.40. Which I made sure she emailed me so I would have that in writting.

This was two months ago and at that time I was assured that my return to lender would be complete with in three weeks time. I have applied to another school and am due to begin attendance on OCT 4. UOP has yet to complete the return to lender.

Until UOP returns the funds to the lender. I can not get financial aid to attend the other school. I have called UOP and emailed them several times and they do not respond. So at this point I am at an educational stale mate, unless I want over lapping loans.

If UOP does not complete the return to lender with in the next week. I will have to wait until Jan 2005 to begin at the new school. Over the past few months, I have been in contact with many consumers/students who have had the same and similar experiances with UOP.

Shannon
Ft. Lewis, Washington
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on University Of Phoenix