- Report: #684489
Complaint Review: Ashford University (online) - Clinton Iowa
Reported By:
lastgasp -
Athol, Idaho, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Ashford University (online)
400 North Bluff Blvd. Clinton, Iowa 52732 Clinton, 52732 Iowa, United States of America
Phone:
(866) 487-9747
Web:
www.ashford.edu
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
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Ashford University ,online, Financial aid dept. forces online student's withdrawal and undue stress Clinton, Iowa
Enrolling at Ashford University was rapid and involved no entrance requirements on my part once I explained my previous schooling. I was rushed through the process with a series of marketing strategies that only on hindsight were revealed. Though there were personal communications at the start, these would cease once admissions were complete.
I had some doubts when told I could immediately start classes but was not answered personally for several weeks. In the meantime a classic series of email autoresponder messages arrived with no real information in the content but many redundant congratulations and welcomes.
None of my requests for information on my financial aid status were answered until after my first class was completed in five weeks. My transferred credits and corresponding class status from my other schools have not been applied to this day, January 19, 2011 even though my enrollment started the first week of November,2010.
I was eventually contacted by the financial aid dept. and told that my paperwork was being processed and to expect to wait another four to six weeks before I might receive an email notifying me of the direct federal student loan I had applied for in October. I was further informed that it would take another fourteen days from when I acknowledged that email to get the disbursement of the student loan.
This statement by the financial aid supervisor was word for word what was in the original direct student loan agreement I had made at the end of October, 2010. It was as if the whole process was starting over from day one even though the Department of Education notified me of their receipt of my paperwork on November 3, 2010.
Because of the lack of funds from the aid promised, I could not afford the course materials for the second class that started the first of January. Furthermore, I was unable to continue paying for my Internet Service and had to reduce my bandwidth access to stay online at all.
Being in a class for journalism and mass communications that involved online research, online discussions, posting assignments online and taking tests online, this lack of course materials and lack of Internet access left me with no other choice but withdrawal from the class and subsequently withdrawal from the university itself.
To continue would have contributed to the mental stress of trying to complete assignments with inadequate resources and accomplished nothing but poor grades and deeper indebtedness. This was unfortunate because the curriculum was very good with well qualified instructors.
I liked the work and would have preferred to stay if the financial aid department would have lived up to their promises both personal and professional. Because of their lack of professionalism my health is suffering and my personal financial obligations are massive with no return on my investment.
The stalling of the financial aid department was intentional with the agenda of getting additional "technology" fees that came into play during the second course. There was no additional technology supplied in any way. No labs, no special resources of any kind. It was in my opinion a method of padding their fees and process costs with no direct benefit for the student in the courses I was involved with.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
JesusLoveMe
United States of AmericaAshford University: Class Action
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, May 26, 2011
Greetings,
I am contacting you because I recently read your complaint about Ashford University. I too am a former student of the university and I can say first-hand that the entire development is nothing more than a scam, personally speaking.
I am in the process of filing a Class Action Lawsuit against Ashford University, in which I am the lead plaintiff; however, I need your support.
Before any of us can secure Justice against this monster corporation we must come together and bombard the court systems with complaints.
Theoretically speaking in a perfect world we could file individual lawsuits, most likely having the courts rule in favor of the University. But if we congregate together as one the judicial systems will really see theres an issue that need to addressed. Quickly!
So I am asking you to please send your Ashford horror stories to: [email protected] as I need as many supporters of this proceeding as possible, or if you dont feel comfortable emailing them you may sign the petition of support at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ashford/
As a group we are seeking restitution for damages, and release of liabilities in particular those caused by financial aid negligence on the universities part.
Right now more than ever is the best time to initiate this movement as the U.S. Federal Government is currently investigating Ashford, and they were just cited by the Department of Education for negligently receiving federal funding.
This issue has been worrying you, and if you are anything like me, it has probably kept you up plenty of nights. There is recourse you just have to take action.
I look forward to your support
Bobby D. Ruffin, Jr.
Former Student of Ashford University,
Lead Plaintiff US Class Action Suit
JesusLoveMe
United States of AmericaAshford University: Class Action
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, May 26, 2011
Greetings,
I am contacting you because I recently read your complaint about Ashford University. I too am a former student of the university and I can say first-hand that the entire development is nothing more than a scam, personally speaking.
I am in the process of filing a Class Action Lawsuit against Ashford University, in which I am the lead plaintiff; however, I need your support.
Before any of us can secure Justice against this monster corporation we must come together and bombard the court systems with complaints.
Theoretically speaking in a perfect world we could file individual lawsuits, most likely having the courts rule in favor of the University. But if we congregate together as one the judicial systems will really see theres an issue that need to addressed. Quickly!
So I am asking you to please send your Ashford horror stories to: [email protected] as I need as many supporters of this proceeding as possible, or if you dont feel comfortable emailing them you may sign the petition of support at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ashford/
As a group we are seeking restitution for damages, and release of liabilities in particular those caused by financial aid negligence on the universities part.
Right now more than ever is the best time to initiate this movement as the U.S. Federal Government is currently investigating Ashford, and they were just cited by the Department of Education for negligently receiving federal funding.
This issue has been worrying you, and if you are anything like me, it has probably kept you up plenty of nights. There is recourse you just have to take action.
I look forward to your support
Bobby D. Ruffin, Jr.
Former Student of Ashford University,
Lead Plaintiff US Class Action Suit
Embarrassed about being duped by As
Troy,Montana,
USA
Be glad you got out when you did
#4Consumer Comment
Fri, April 01, 2011
You should count your lucky stars that you got out when you did. I am a year into Ashford and am about to withdraw for Financial aid issues as well.
The classes appear great, but the good ones are not the norm. Many are instructed, and I use that term very loosely, by teachers that barely take the time to post weekly information, let alone respond constructively to the class. Out of the ten classes I have taken, there have only been two that the teacher even took the time to respond to my final papers.
I am currently seeking information about a class action suit against them for fraudulent practices and misrepresentation.
Take care and good luck.
