Complaint Review: AIU Online - Internet Internet

I experienced the same thing earlier this year. As my first day of class approached, I decided to withdraw due to numerous inconsistancies relative to my financial aid. I will spare you the details. At this point, I notified every person I had had contact with at AIU that I was withdrawing due to bait and switch business practices and discussed my complaint at great length. By the end of the day, I received a letter of dismissal. At this point, I no longer took any phone calls from AIU as they began calling me non-stop to re-enroll. I put an email block on AIU. Eventually, you will be reassigned to a different sales rep and the calls will begin again, ad nauseum. The best way to put a stop to that is to say that you have no idea how you got on his call list as you are looking for a doctoral program in micro-biology. Remember, you are not a student until you go into the classroom. Best wishes.

You are correct! The FA award is between the user and the government. If you threaten to call SACS, it should scare them off. You may also demand to speak to Steve Fireng. That will do it. You know an insider name! End of story if you call him. They would not like that at all. Former employee as well.

Heather, I can help you, I used to work at AIU and left because of the exact same thing that you are talking about among many others. First off if you are in "awarded" status you are not commited to anything. Awarded status simply means that you now know what you owe, after you have recieved your Federal Stafford Loans.After you recieve your Federal Stafford Loan there is usually a remaining balance,because F.S.Ls do not cover the entire amount that you still owe that balance is usually covered by an addtional loan usually through Sallie Mae. Second, do not and I repeat do not let them tell you that are commited to anything. If you look at your enrollment agreement it states that if you have not taken any classes as of yet you will not be charged.If you have taken classes then you are entitled to pay a certain percentage depending on how long you have taken those classes.It is standard procedure for them to call you and talk you out of it. I would contact Sallie Mae(the finance company that most colleges go through including AIU) tell them that you wish to cancel the loans if the money has not applied to classes yet,(provided you have been approved)it should be no problem for them to cancel.I would also contact the Department of Education(where your FAFSA is processed) and tell them as well. Your MPN (Master Promisery Note) which you signed through AIU's virtual campus is the agreement through Wachovia Bank that you will pay back your Federal Stafford Loans.If you have not taken classes YOU ARE NOT COMMITTED TO ANYTHING. If they still persist tell them you will contact SACS(Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)this is AIU's accrediting body and thats the last thing they want to hear.I guarantee that will work as well.I hope I helped you and do not be afraid to to tell them NO. I worked for this school(if you want to call it a school) and I know pretty much all there is to know about financial aid as well as the inner workings of this university. If you have additional questions dont be afraid to ask. Stay strong and stand up. Like I said before this among others is the reason why I left this company.I have a concience.