PissedoffAunt
saint louis,#2Author of original report
Fri, March 01, 2013
Lindenwoood is refusing to explain or provide statements showing where a student's money is being applied after all tuition fees and room and board is paid. The will not speak with the students regarding monies owed in refunds. And when pressed verbally and repeatedly they tell student they are a discipline problem and threaten expulsion. When questioned by an adult they pull the privacy act card and when a FERPA is provided they do not answer the phone or return calls. The student scheduled a meeting with Dir of Financial Aid and had me on his cell during the meeting for advice, support and witness. The director was competely unprofessional. She refused to answer any questions regarding his financial aid or the schools policies for distribution. When I asked her where to find the school's written guidelin on disburesement of grants and scholarships and how they are refunded or applied She said she didnt understand what it was I was asking and that I was speaking to her like she was stupid. Well Director of Financial Aid is her title, right? Where is the Financial Aid ???? She then said she was done talking to us and handed over the phone. While he was standing there with me on the phone she called the Dean and said the student was screaming at her in her office and causing a disruption and being uncooperative. I could not believe her behavior. I proceeded to ask who her boss was and called his office. He told me he would look into the matter and call back, never did. I then contacedt the Dean of Day admission's about the meeting the student was directed to attend the next morining due to his "behavior". I told him I witnessed the entire exchange and even intervined when no answers were forthcoming and emotional levels began rise. I told him she refused to answer even the most general questions regarding financial aid and that I didnt want the student disciplined for something he didnt do. He said he was meeting with Charles to answer his questions about his financial aid, so I said well he wants you to talk to me anyway that was the point of the meeting with the Financial Aid Director. Of course he immediatley said he couldnt speak with me regarding student's financial information and I informed him there was a ferpa on file. He promised to secure a copy and get right back to me. NO CALL. The student went to the meeting with me on the phone again. The Dean immediatly started yelling about student's behavior the prior day and I again attempted to intervine "Dean" refused to talk to me and physically crowded student out of his office and said he was done speaking to either of us. He then said your aunt can call my extension. I did, NO ANSWER. I told nephew to go to next level of administration. The actual Dean of Lindenwood wasnt available and has yest to contact the student or myself as of this report. He was then intercepted by another "Dean". He listened to student and sent him to wait while he"investigated". AN HOUR LATER he invited him into his office to have a meeting with himself and the first "Dean" They told him he needed to hang up phone during the meeting but he refused. They attempted to intimidate student with threat of expulsion and would not answer any of his questions regarding financial aid which again was the point of the entire issue from the beginning. I asked to be put on speaker but really couldnt hear so finally they had me call the offfice direct and actually answered and I was placed on speakerphone. They immediatley began telling me what a discipline problem he was; again I exgrants and scholarships were being used and where the excess amount were. I said tell me where the money is. Its real simple your school recieved 31200 in funding for his education and living expenses and his total tuition and housing is 22400. Where is the balance and what is it being used for? Simple. NOPE! They finallly told me about the educational contract he signed and explained some of the monies used but could not account for $5000.00 in missing scholarship funds they received in August 2012. They then tried to say the credited the student's account 5 minutes before the meeting with 1800.00 out of the goodness of their heart because according to the contract he signed they could use that money to refund themselves for their FAKE Lindenwood scholarship the give to every student. I said well he is still missing 5000.00. Whereis the fall 2012 payment of 2500.0e0 the shows as pending under financial aid but is listed on his ledger as being applied and owed as a refund from fall. They said they would look into that and are now saying he has 1800 2500 and the 1400 he recently received for spring semester due to him. That leaves the 2500 and 1000 from last semester unaccounted for; they couldnt tell me anything except to say it may ne used to repay the scholarship they gave him. Which is ILLEGAL. Also they have students work and X amount of hours per semester for free and if the student doesnt they charge 1100 per semester against student's grants and scholarships. If the student does attempt to do the work they make it as difficult as possible. They also emailed him a new contract to sign with completely different financial aid numbers due to releasing the 1800.00 and its dated back to fall 2012. Also, they show a refund to his Direct Loan in the fall but the government and loan providers websites show no reduction of the loan or record of payment. That's another 622.00 per semester unaccounted for. REALLLY? Since ive been involved they have been changing the Financial Aid Statement and Ledger Balance numbers on the students portal daily but showing no record of the changescontacted the MO Department of Education and am contacting all of his funding providers. If you have or are a student at Lindenwood on financial aid or even paying with private loans I would strongly suggest you pay attention and ask quesiton because they are robbing the government and these kids BLIND. My nephew is a ward of tte state and has had a hard life already. The school and its " DEANS " are no better than crooked used car salesmen and just as unscrupulous and unwilling to acccount for their actions. NEXT STEP ELLIOT DAVIS and THE US INSPECTOR GENERAL!