Complaint Review: Walden University - Minneapolis Minnesota

Before I tear apart this university, I would like to mention the few good things about it. Walden University is a great alternative to the traditional brick and mortar schools when it comes to furthering your education. Walden University provides a convenient learning method for busy adults aiming to balance work and family life while advancing a degree. Walden has done a great job of providing students with experienced, qualified instructors who genuinely invest in teaching and provide constructive feedback throughout the program courses.

Here's where the university screws up:

I chose to pursue a second degree program with Walden University, and I am beginning to wish that I had not. Walden University has wonderful graduate programs and instructiors on top of affordability, which pushed to re-enroll, but to mention how poorly the financial aid office runs would not serve anything justice. I understand that every university has one issue or another, but Walden does not treat it's students as students as well as paying customers.

I was fed up with the school during my enrollment from 2011-2013, and now that I'm there for 2014-2016, I am trying to determine how I will survive past the aggrevation with their financial aid office. The financial office is now worse than it was the last time I attended. The financial aid teams are the most incompetent people to ever service you. They never have a clue what is going on with your account. They might as well have the minions from Despicable Me working there. Students might actually receive results at that point. 

The financial aid tosses around more bull to students about the awarding and disbursing of their loans. My term has begin in the summer. I applied and was approved for a graduate plus loan almost two weeks before my term begin. I am now in my third week of my course for this term, and why have I not received awarding of my graduate plus loan yet let alone disbursement.

My stafford loan disbursed already, and I will probably see Jesus first before I receive the refund for that one. I just don't understand this school's "So-Called" processes for doing anything. A couple of financial aid reps told me to allow up to 14 days for awarding from the MPN (master promissory note). I am way past my 14 days. The financial aid department received my first MPN on 6/23. They claimed they were not sure if they could use that one so I sent in a new MPN on 6/9. After sending the 6/9 promissory note, I am told to allow up to 14 days from this date. This is exhausting and ridiculous. I just want my plus loan to disburse. Why is it such a hassle to award this?? It doesn't make sense.

I completed my first degree with Walden University less than a year ago. With this being said, I know that it should not take up to 14 days just to award the loan. I've received graduate plus loans in other terms from 2011-2013.

****The process went like this: 

Early Monday: Applied/Approved

Tuesday: Walden notified..received award in student portal..I accepted.

Wednesday: Plus Loan sent to lender

Friday: Plus Loan disbursed

Within the following week, my account went back to zero, and my refund began to process. How in the world am I supposed to believe that it takes up to 14 days to award a graduate plus loan. This university is really beginning these scholar students for idiots these days, and it's killing me. It is not ok to stall students money this way. I don't know if they get more interest and perks the longer they mess around or what the deal is, but it is not ok. Something needs to change ASAP. I could acquire student loan debt somewhere else for what I have to go through at Walden University just to obtain a graduate plus loan that I am already approved for. It's just not right.

My advice to other students looking to pursue online education to complete their education goals, I'd say go somewhere else to spend your money. Perhaps after you realize you need a graduate plus loan you can receive it in a timely manner to cover the remained of your education expenses.