University of Phoenix Fraud, Lies and Scams Phoenix, Arizona

I have been doing a lot of research on possible fraudulent activities featuring UoPx and was completely left in shock when I saw that ripoffreport.com alone contained over 600 complaints. Yes. Some of those complaints were due to irresponsibility on the student's part, but I read a lot of situations like my own that just seemed beyond ridiculous.

My story: I had recently moved back to my hometown after my grandfather passed. My Aunt gave me room and board so long as I did a bit of cleaning. Since the cleaning was about an hour out of my WHOLE day, I decided to do some research on furthering my education. University of Phoenix was all over the TV so I decided to give them a call. I spoke with Blaise Jacobsen. He was very friendly and informative and began guiding me through what I originally thought was just a "Lets see if you qualify for this and that". By the end of our conversation, I was signed up for classes.

I was going for a Psychology major and figured that if I can get Pell grants I'd be okay. I specifically stated I did not want loans because I knew that even if I managed to find work close enough to home (I lived in the middle of amish country. The nearest store was too far for a bike ride and I didn't own a car) I wouldn't be able to afford the payments on a loan. He assured me I would not be getting loans unless whatever grants I received could not cover my classes. This seemed fine since my last time in college courses, I only spent about $1,000 INCLUDING books.

After about 2 weeks of going through the forums and such, I became bored. I would get 90% of my weeks work done the 1st day and slack the rest of the week. They want at least 2 replies to each topic a day and your first 2 classes are useless if you're even remotely knowledgeable with a computer. In that time, I had an e-mail stating that I was not approved for any grants but not to worry that my classes were still available. I e-mailed Blaise about this and he also said not to worry and that it's taken care of. Odd, but I kept going.

Into the third week, I began having personal issues with my Aunt's husband. He decided that house work was more important than my schooling and all over one argument I was kicked out of the house. There was no warning or anything. It was simply a "give me your key and phone and get the $%^ out of my house" so I was left with nothing but some luggage and a computer. No internet. No phone. Homeless and jobless. I managed to find my way to a McDonalds and snagged Wifi long enough to contact Blaise and my financial adviser Angela Simpson and notify them of my predicament. I explained that I have no phone or internet and cannot possibly continue my schooling for now. I would be able to start up again as soon as I find a roof with internet. They said they'd do their best at putting my classes on hold.

All this happened back in the 09-10 winter semester. I am JUST now finding a roof and a job all the way down in TX (don't ask how I got here...).

I started trying to contact Angela and Blaise again only to fight with Live Chat (still don't own a phone) on three different occasions just to get a reply from Angela. She pointed me to Nayomi Wade and said that she was the new Fin. Adviser. I sent Naomi an e-mail asking for my info and if I was able to get a final amount I might owe for the few weeks I was in classes with UoPx and she stated:

"Hi Riki.  Im sorry to hear about your situation.  From what I can see you posted attendance in both of the classes, which makes the balance valid.  Unfortunately, your account is currently in collections and until the balance is paid in full, we wont be able to get you back into class.  In case you need it, the collection agency you are with is Malcom S. Gerald and their number is 800-265-3796.
 
I apologize, as I wish there was something more I could do.  If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me."

From what it sounds like, my 'posted attendance' could have been one day and UoPx would have STILL charged me full.

My final balance when written off from UoPx was $2,210.00 for less than 3 weeks of courses. The courses that don't give you credits and teach you how to work a classroom forum... One semester at the Community college I attended in Delaware was barely $1,000 INCLUDING books and labs.

I want to know if there's a way of fighting this and if so, how do I go about doing this without smearing my name/credit more than it already is? I'm still not fully back on my feet and I'm working a crap job at $8/hr for 25hrs a week... it BARELY pays rent and I only eat bc it's a restaurant... food is free when it's being tossed...