I have been a university of phoenix student for the last 9 weeks. I started my classes on Feb, 8, 2010. The Enrolment councilor Tim Haney told me that I could apply for a FASFA and it would cover the full amount of my tuition, I was told by Tim Haney that I qualified for the prior learning assessment program and I could not get into the program, I was constantly assure that my education was first and they had my best interest at heart. Tim disappeared and stopped all contact with me and dropped me on an academic councilor named Sean Topham and he continued to insure that everything was ok and I was reselected for financial aid review and that why I had to submit all these different documents, I was told the UOPX was not asking for these documents it was the US Department of Education, I was given a number to contact the US Department of Education and the number was out of service, I have made a complaint to the better business bureau who told me my story was not unfamiliar an that they had overflowing complaints about the UOPX and its Apollo Financial Aid Group. The UOPX, Axia and Apollo Financial Aid Processing Center are not members of the Better business bureau. I later found out 3 weeks later from the "Finance Councilor" Melisa Hughes that I was certified for a Federal Pell; Grant because my EFC (Expected Family Contribution) = 0 but I was only able to receive 5350 she then told me that I needed to apply for a student loan to cover the rest of my tuition. I asked her how much was my tuition per year? She stated to me it was $8,210.00 per a year.
So she told me to apply for a student loan from a list full of lenders the UOPX provided. She told me that I needed to apply for excess funds in the amount of $9500.00 I told her I did not need to borrow 9500.00 because my pell was 5350 and all I needed to borrow was $ 1700.00 she told me the Financial Aid Processing center would not accept that I had to apply for 9500.00 I did as I was told and she told me I needed to sign a master promissory note well I did that and this Apollo Financial Aid Processing center started calling me an harassing me for a laundry list of documents. I was told in order to process my financial aid student loan they needed the following documents, a master promissory note, a letter from my tax preparer stating I had filed correctly for the 2008 tax year, a certified copy of my divorce decree signed by the judge who presided over my divorce, a letter from me stating I filed correctly in my 2008 tax year, a copy of my 2008 tax return, a 1040x amended individual tax form for 2008, 4 Financial Aid change forms, 6 letter from my tax preparer in all because this Apollo Financial Aid Processing Center kept rejecting all the documents they were asking for. I am receiving harassing phone calls daily from this Financial Aide Processing center requesting more documentation from my tax preparer, the IRS. The UOPX claims to know nothing about whets going on. They have a mater promissory note signed in my name and refuses to process my student loan application so I am receiving letters saying my account is in default remit payment by such and such date. Every time I have called to check the status of my Student loan application I am told it is pending and they need head of household qualifying change form, they need a letter from the IRS stating I filed correctly for 2008 tax year and it is a viscous never ending cycle. They have no intentions on processing my Financial Aids student loan application, I am getting more and more in deeper in debt and constantly getting letters about my account being delinquent.
Alli
phoenix,#2REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, April 21, 2010
Hey pal, you know what, you make me laugh. I was just like you three years ago, I found this site and bless your heart, I was innocent and naive just like you. The advisor was a sweetheart and helpful, the whole gammut of service was delightful in the beginning while they sucked all the money out. Today I stand here only 24 hours ago, got a call that my seminar was TERMINATED. Ok, four weeks before graduation. They accused me for not being at my seminars, I have a cooperating teacher stating exactly the opposite as I was there from beginning to end for 8 long arduous weeks, I got my grade and that same day they finished me. They argued that because I didn't arrive to open the door at the same time my cooperating teacher arrived (for student teaching) this was justifiable enough to say that I didn't comply with their policies.
The told me if I wanted this bad enough I'd do it all over again, pay for 12 weeks of seminars, pay for 12 weeks of student teaching and do all the work all over again. Read my post.
I don't want to argue with you, watch out, I was just like you and now look what happened. I'm so ashamed that I was so stupid to fall for all of this when others had posted it black and white for me.
Remember us when it you find that degree is good for nothing if they let you get it.
Jeff
Lilburn,#3Consumer Comment
Sat, April 17, 2010
It is time to take responsibility for our education; at least it was for me. I am a former Axia student, completing 21 credits and I had no issues with the way my student loan funds where handled.
However, the more I talked with friends and co-workers who where college educated, I started to question the validity of a degree from Axia and University of Phoenix. Not only that, I was not a big fan of the online format and all the requirements of attendance, discussion submittals, and instructor availability. (side note: My stomach would turn over when a classmate would refer to the instructor as "Professor", knowing full well that the instructor did not have a doctoral degree.)
Moreover, I became more and more disgusted with the student loan debt I was accruing. So, I took responsibility for my education and debt, canceled the student loans, and then learned that I owe Axia money due to the student loan funds they had to return to the lender. That is all fine and good, at least for now, let's see how many of my 21 credits from Axia will transfer to my local community college.
Now, at my local community college, the tuition cost is half what Axia charged, plus many of my classes are online, and I have a local study group to lean on. I do not have to deal with meeting student loan requirements and my degree will be honored with much higher integrity. Not to mention that when I complete my AA, I will transfer to a state university with ease.
Best wishes and TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for YOUR education!
Jeff
kross
columbus,#4Consumer Comment
Wed, April 14, 2010
I am a current student at the apollo University of Phoenix online. I have had no problem with my loans. I get whats left and send it back to the lender which pays the interest on the loan. My loans cover all costs for my classes and also I take one class on campus here in columbus ohio. I have had no problem with them and my advisor is very helpful when I need her. You should investigate everything before you make a decision.
Jeanski
Hamburg,#5Consumer Suggestion
Sat, April 10, 2010
I've posted to a lot of the RORs regarding these for-profit schools because they seem (generally) to be operating in such unscrupulous ways. Your financial aid counselor CANNOT require you to ask for more loan dollars than you need. Insofar as the verification data they keep asking for, they are correct - it is not their doing that you were selected for verification. It's a random process. This website might explain it better (((Redacted))).
At the risk of sounding paranoid I wonder if they want you to apply for excess funds so they can somehow drain your account. That seems to be a common complaint here on ROR. If you're one of the lucky individuals who receives a refund of that excess money, send it back to your lender and pay down the loan. Or, better yet, set it aside for next semester.
I would ask them for an "award letter" if you haven't already received one. It should detail the amount of your tuition, Pell grant, loans, etc. You have to sign it (usually) stating that you accept the money.
You might also contact the loan servicer and let them know what's going on as well.
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