University Of Phoenix - Apollo Group - University of Phoenix - Time for another Class Action? Phoenix Arizona

I know it has been awhile since someone posted their desire to file a class action suit against the University of Phoenix, but I am very interested.

I was "baited and switched" as well.

Please contact me. I am looking for an attorney. (((ROR REDACTED)))

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Where to begin with you empty blather....how about here:

::snip:: "I worked for UOP for four years as a Senior Enrollment Counselor. I could have told you from the beginning that only a certain amount of your pleathora of lower division credits would apply."

Yes, but you didn't, and neither did the underling sales perso.....er Enrollment "Advisor". Sales tactic #1, tell the mark what they want to hear so they don't hear the fine print. I highly doubt that call was even recorded, but that is irrelevant. More on this in a second...

::snip:: "I am sorry that your Enrollment Counselor seemed to be also uneducated in academic requirements. However, I am certain that the EC told you that they were going to complete a preliminary evaluation of your credits and only the official amount to be transferred would come about after matriculation."

Again, I wouldn't be surprised if the recording, you know "for quality control purposes" of this conversation has somehow been misplaced. Perhaps you can tell me this than, why oh WHY should you not know exactly how many credits will transfer before enrolling. That sounds like....hrmmm.....driving off the low with a new car before the financing goes through. Hard sales tactics, most likely not even disclosed by Mr. Underling.

And finally....

::snip:: "I have to give kudos to UOP for sticking by their academic guns. I think it is fabulous that you weren't able to transfer in as a junior after only completing freshman and sophomore coursework. This makes my heart swell."

Um...if a person has completed their freshman and sophomore requirements, why the hell would they not transfer in as a junior. Lets go back to the beginning, you were a Senior ENROLLMENT Counselor, what do you care about academics (or ethics, or integrity for that matter)??? I'm not surprised you didn't respond back to Kelly's rebuttal of your thin as paper "kudos" to the university. But that's ok, just by reading between the lines you showed us exactly what is important to the cash cow that is UOP/WIU/AXIA/Apollo Group. Maybe you even had an attack of conscience as you are no longer employed by them...

United States of America ex rel Hendow v. University of Phoenix
United States District Court, Eastern District of California
District Court Case No. CV-03-00457-GEB
Ninth Circuit Case No. 04-16247
U.S. Supreme Court Case No. 06-1006
Two whistle blowers sued the University of Phoenix (UOP), alleging that it knowingly violates the Higher Education Act incentive compensation ban, 20 U.S.C. 1094(a) and (a)(20), by paying its counselors based on enrollments. The lawsuit alleges that UOP boasts of its deceptions of the Education Department, as executives brag that UOP creates smoke and mirrors so that it can fly under the radar of the Education Department.

In 2004, the Education Department issued a 45-page report confirming the whistle blower allegations, following an investigation consisting of site visits, review of compensation documentation from UOP, and interviews with enrollment directors, managers and 60 enrollment counselors. Damages are in the 100s of millions, before trebling, plus penalties and attorneys fees. (Law Offices of Nancy G. Krop)

I'm sorry to hear that you had such difficulties. I enrolled with UOP Online in August of 2002 to achieve my BS in Accounting. At that time, I was impressed with the ability of the staff (i.e., the academic counselors and finanical counselors). They seemed very well versed in the basics. I found the instructors very knowledgable and highly qualified in their area of expertise; in fact, I was astounded to find that instructors such as a Texas state Appeals Court Judge for business law. I learned much from all of them...

Yes, the format was difficult at first. However, once I established a routine, and recognized it was a second full time job, it began to work for me. The scheduling of classes for the entire degree program was wonderful, as I didn't have to worry about "signing up" for my next class. I graduated in March of 2005 with that degree.

In September of 05, I was contacted with the possibility of acquiring my MBA. I accepted, and had no problem until the last two classes. In July of 06, I received a voice mail from my Financial counselor, who had been the same for a year. I returned his call, left a voice mail, and forgot about it.

In August, 2006, I was called by a woman who claimed she was now my Financial counselor; I returned her call and left a voice-mail. I heard nothing more until around October 15. On that day, I got 2 voice mails and 3 e-mails, all within two hours of each other, each from a different person (none of which was my recorded Financial Counselor) stating that they were now my Financial counselor, and that I was being "suspended" effective immediately for not having made my payment for the class I was currently in. I spent approximately two hours that day fielding phone calls and responding to e-mails, something that my employer certainly had a problem with! The last e-mail came in at 4:58 Pacific time. By the time I could get on the phone to call the person, I had had it, and the woman was gone for the day. I ended up trying to leave a message for her, only to discover that the voice mail she had been assigned was not functioning. I dialed for the operator, requesteding to speak with her supervisor. I was plugged into the supervisor's voice mail, which was not functioning. Again, I dialed the operator, and requested to leave a message. I was told that she "couldn't take a message, that I'd have to leave a voice mail". I ended up leaving a message for a senior supervisor.

I left a very frustrated message stating I had been trying to connect with my "financial counselor" for two hours, I had no idea which one of the three who had been trying to contact me it was, but since I had not gotten ahold of any of them, I was leaving a message with her that I would "pay the da**" bill when I got home that evening and could do it by e-payment. Which I did.

The following morning, I received a call from the lady who had sent the last e-mail, chewing me out for "having used profanity" (against school policy), having "stunned her sensibilities, as a good christian should never have to listen to these kinds of words" and that she was submitting a recommendation that I be dismissed from the school for breaking policy.

I sent her an e-mail of apology and in it explained my frustration. I reported the trouble with financial on the end of class survey, and never heard another word about it. I completed my MBA and received my degree in November, 2006. I have, accumulated about $45,000 in student loans. That IS a great deal of money, but I would never have been able to accomplish the same in a brick and mortar school; I live in a rural area, would not have had time to travel to and from school and do the work as well. And I certainly could not have had the wide variety of instructors (all working in the discipline they teach) in any brick and mortar school.

I also heard stories from other students in the later months of my attendance regarding difficulties such as these. It appeared, from the information I could gather, that counselors were being promoted, and less well qualified people were being brought in to take their places.

First let me thank everyone who responded, including those who were incorrect in what they said. For instance, not ALL brick and mortar universities offer online classes.

If they did, I would not have applied to UoP. And to the person who said I wasted my time, you know nothing about me and my qualifications. I earned an HNC in Electronics Engineering through four years' attendance of the Royal Naval academy at HMS Collingwood, which is worth much more than a two-year degree. I then earned an AA at an American college. So I had two different types of degrees when I decided to continue towards a bachelors' degree. NONE of my time in school was a waste.

Now, to be fair and update you on my problems with UoP - I finally complained to the right person (at the BBB, in fact) who contacted an executive. This person in turn cancelled my courses, zeroed out my balance with the school, and returned my student loan money to Wells Fargo. So they are definetly not all bad.

Dave

Can you believe these whinny students, I wouldn't believe them at all were it not for reports of recruiting violations from the US Department of Education, a front page article in the New York Times titled, "Troubles Grow for a University Built on Profits," a HUUUUGE lawsuit which could bankrupt the school. Here's an excerpt from the San Jose Mercury about the lawsuit and its allegations...

'But other former recruiters not involved in the lawsuit support the suit's claims. Rebecca Mackover of Campbell, Rashida Mirza of San Jose and others say that as pressure mounted to boost profit, recruiters were paid for the number of students they enrolled and were encouraged to ignore transcripts and rush potential students into inappropriate classes.

'University of Phoenix created a sweatshop atmosphere that was only focused on new business,' said Mackover, who worked with Hendow and Albertson.
Said Mirza: 'It was all about getting the students in now, even if they couldn't afford it or it wasn't in their best interest.'

Students and former students interviewed by the Mercury News echo the recruiters' accounts, saying they felt pressure to enroll. Some say they were urged to take classes they didn't need; others say they were encouraged to seek federal financial aid, even when their work schedule made completion unlikely. Recruiters made false promises to convince them to enroll, downplaying the consequences."

Dear Dave,

Obviously you had spent a long time earning meaningless credits (140 ish lower division credits according to your post). Academic requirements within every 4 year university would require a certain number of upper division (3000/4000 level coursework) before you could be awarded a Bachelor degree. You were uneducated about academic requirements long before you ever enrolled with UOP.

I worked for UOP for four years as a Senior Enrollment Counselor. I could have told you from the beginning that only a certain amount of your pleathora of lower division credits would apply.

I am sorry that your Enrollment Counselor seemed to be also uneducated in academic requirements. However, I am certain that the EC told you that they were going to complete a preliminary evaluation of your credits and only the official amount to be transferred would come about after matriculation.

I have to give kudos to UOP for sticking by their academic guns. I think it is fabulous that you weren't able to transfer in as a junior after only completing freshman and sophomore coursework. This makes my heart swell.

I wish you well, Dave. The grass isn't always greener. I'll bet by this time next year you will be no closer towards your BS as you are today. You should be happy that UOP was able to transfer in 48 credits. Most traditional schools have more stringent requirements than this...

STOP ATTENDING ALL THESE JUNK ON LINE SCHOOLS AND YOUR PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED
All brick & morter colleges and community colleges offer on line classes now at reasonable state tuition rates. If everyone would just stop this Bull$#*& of attending these rip off places of higher education, you would not be getting yourselves in a financial bind, or having these rip off companies trying to ruin your credit. Then UOP, AXIA, STRAYER, CAPELLA, and who ever else Jon Doe for profit schools will close up shop and be gone for good!

These on line schools are a 100% rip off. I have taken a few on line classes through one of my local community college's and I am satisfied to know that its 100% accredited and transferable to any 4 year university, no questions asked.

Please everyone, stop giving yourself a heartache

The following is a post from (((link redacted))) posted September 2007....

"We are forced to enroll students IMMEDIATELY no matter what there personal circumstance or problems and use creative lines like I'll write you a GREAT RECOMMENDATION (we NEVER write recommendations and they DONT effect enrollment) or If you don't meet this deadline I can't recommend you.... IF YOU HAVE MONEY.... YOU'RE ACCEPTED!!! There's no tricks involved....

THIS ONE REALLY TOPS IT ALL OFF THOUGH....

L called one of the students of a fellow employee... he had a serious personal issue and was not able to enroll right away. After two months, L called this student and told him..... you only get two months to make up your mind..... NOW YOU CAN'T ENROLL HERE FOR SIX MONTHS!!!! she actually told the students his enrollment at UOP was now restricted and he would not be able to try to enroll until 6months had past!!! I WAS DISGUSTED! We are supposed to be a school who gives people chances they would not otherwise have.... I GUESS NOT....

When I told her I do not feel comfortable forcing students to enroll who aren't yet ready, because I didn't want to put them into a financially detrimental situation that they were not ready for... I was told it was my job to enroll students and i still had a matrix to meet....

I know i truly helped many students, but i wonder how many i urged to be involved in a situation they weren't ready for financially or mentally to protect my job... I had to quit.... My manager harassed me daily after i had made the formal complaint to HR to the point i was having anxiety and panic attacks IN WORK and had to start to see a psychiatrist SPECIFICALLY TO DEAL WITH MY ISSUES AT WORK.... i went on MEDICAL LEAVE and then found a new job. I'm happier, better paid and LOVE the ETHICAL environment i work in.... no sleazy sales crap.

SO BEWARE..... the pressure tactics aren't for your good, they are so your enrollment counselor doesn't get written up or fired for not enrolling enough students.

NEED I SAY MORE.... THEY CAN TELL LIES.. BUT I CAN TELL THE TRUTH... ITS MORE DAMAGING!

DONT LET YOUR GOALS AND DREAMS OF GETTING A DEGREE BE EXPLOITED BY THE PRESSURE TACTICS AND BARELY TRAINED ENROLLMENT COUNSELORS AT UOP WHO ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN ENROLLING YOU TO KEEP THEIR JOBS!!!"
_________________

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Please read for yourself, from consumeraffairs website...

I am a news editor of a small publication in central Colorado. I am writing this because of my recent experience with University of Phoenix Online, where I signed up for a Master's Degree program under the umbrella of a student loan for which I partly qualified because of my status as a veteran (US Army, Field Medic 1985-1988, ROK & Ft. Lewis, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster/Expert Field Medical Badge/Good Conduct Medal/ E-4 at end of service).

I had hoped to offer my readers a nice story about the usefulness of this program. Instead I found a nightmare of disregard that took advantage of my status as a working adult and veteran, and literally mocked me as a consumer.

This company does not deliver what it advertises, sets up policies that make it more difficult for working adults to resolve disputes, and seems only concerned with exploiting students to access the tax dollars for which they qualify as veterans. In my book the latter borders on treason.

Particularly, it takes no responsibility for its own technical difficulties, and does not allow students to resolve issues on this in a reasonable time frame for them to choose whether or not to continue studies before this resolution. I greatly resent that their misrepresentation of what they offer, their unwillingness to admit error, and their policies and procedures excluding dealing with issues when they arise, may leave me owing for one class and affect my qualification for this same loan in the future.

I got taken in by their false claim that they care about helping working adults. The details follow:

I began taking a class, as part of a course of study, in early January, 2007. I immediately had problems, as I had started access right on the day the class started, and had little time to prepare. Though I had been told that the week ran Tuesday through Monday, yet I soon found that most students seemed to treat it as a Monday-Friday week, which left me actually starting late relative to other students.

When I downloaded the syllabus it somehow did not save completely. While it did not have everything I expected, it had nothing indicating its incompleteness (page 1 of XX for example). While I did realize other students knew things I did not, and I occasionally posted "What am I missing?" questions, I did not know that I missed anything until I missed an assignment.

In addition, a couple of times I could not log on when I needed to. This was not a problem on my end. I could not even contact tech support, as I only had the info online and could not access it. It was a problem on the University of Phoenix's end.

I am a working adult with limited times to work on the assignments. I had been assured that the process was designed to help working adults, not hinder them. This was like going to school and finding the door closed, yet the school would not accept any responsibility for this. I did call tech support after the fact to get a ticket. This happened twice in the second week, seriously interrupting my schedule, and limiting what I could post and write. Ixpressed an interest in dropping the class and staff talked me out of it.

I redoubled my efforts, trying to make up for what I had lost, realizing that with all my effort I might still get the "B" I needed to keep up my student loan. I posted a lot. The fifth week I again could not get access on two occasions when I needed to. On one of these occasions, as a working adult, I did not have time to call tech support at all. On the other occasion I called, was told there was a forty minute wait, and figured that if there is a forty minute wait, they know there is a problem. As a working adult, I did not have time to wait forty-minutes.

When again my complaints met disregard, I just stopped trying to go to class, as all it was at this point was an unnecessary stress, since I could not and would not get an acceptable grade anyway. Throughout all this the effort seemed to be to put off doing anything to support my request. Eventually a man named Chris F said he would try to help me. He complimented me on how much I'd posted. I said, yes, I'm an exceptional student, and I greatly objected to being denied the opportunity for my grades to reflect it. Then he said he did not believe I'd had any technical problems because I posted so much.

First, getting on all the time to post responses to discussion questions is different from getting on when I need to for research in the library to finish my report. Second, I greatly resent being called a liar when one occasion there was a forty-minute wait, so there was clearly a system problem on their end (unless they routinely state there is a forty-minute wait to keep calls down.)

The only apparent dispute resolution available was after the grades came through, a process taking two weeks or so. It means that people disputing a result might have to begin their next class before knowing the outcome of the resolution to ensure continued financial aid. This all made sense when I opened the SallieMae documents and saw that the funds transferred to the school were for much of the course of study, not just this class. This means that as long as someone is enrolled with the school processing the loan, Apollo Group, Inc. gets to invest the float on about $10,000.00. It therefore behooves them to stall dispute resolutions as long as possible, even if it means the student has to "take a hot crumpet" as some Brits might say.

Nobody would refer me to anyone to resolve this until after the class was over. After the problems the second week I stated that I would be appealing any grade I got, and requested them to contact me. They did this after the class was over. By then I had done this, but I had to go through Apollo Group and play my press card to do it, which means however this resolves, I will be writing a story about it.

It also means that students without that sort of leverage don't stand a chance. My situation is currently awaiting resolution, but I find this completely unacceptable use of government funds, especially associated with veteran status. If I am having this kind of trouble, what kind of problems must undergraduate students have? They don't know shoeshine from wood stain when they're freshmen.

Right now I stand to owe about $1,800.00 and possibly have my future qualification for student loans in jeopardy.

Hello, I am writing this because I can understand how you may feel that you have been used by University of Phoenix. I just wanted to say how sorry I am. I have been going to University of Phoenix for 1 year now. I have had great success with all aspects of the college. What I think you should try is the campus. I have heard that it is more in face to face physical contact. It makes it easier. I have had a wonderful time with them. I have also learned that when getting a counselor that doesn't know what they are talking about can make the online experience horrible. The team that I have returns calls and also helps me with any questions I have. I hate the fact that everyone does not have good experiences. Take it from me I am a proud student of University of Phoenix and I would recommend them to anyone.

"After sending my transcripts for evaluation, their enrollment advisor congratulated me on achieving the maximum credit transfer and signed me up, pointing me in the direction of financial aid. He said the matriculation of the credits was now a mere formality, but could take up to three weeks into the course to complete."

The things that go on at this company, whew, well, what can a fella say? Did you know Dave that the Corporate Director of Enrollment at UOP told recruiters that the UOP was "flying under the radar" of the U.S. Department of Education(according to a USDOE report)? For students, this is important as the USDOE is there to protect students. If a top UOP official is telling recruiters things like this, do you think rank and file employees get the message they should be more, or less ethical?

Here's a quote from "The Nation" online regarding UOP practices.

"A recruiter could earn $750 for each student enrolled. Management pressured employees to enroll as many students as possible, and to do 'whatever it takes.' If a prospective student could find a better or cheaper option at a local community college, recruiters kept it to themselves.

Employees told investigators they learned that only one thing mattered at Phoenix: getting 'asses in classes.' Federal law, however, mandates that college enrollment counselors not be paid a bounty per student, to insure that counselors do what is best for the student, rather than for themselves or the company."

"After sending my transcripts for evaluation, their enrollment advisor congratulated me on achieving the maximum credit transfer and signed me up, pointing me in the direction of financial aid. He said the matriculation of the credits was now a mere formality, but could take up to three weeks into the course to complete."

The things that go on at this company, whew, well, what can a fella say? Did you know Dave that the Corporate Director of Enrollment at UOP told recruiters that the UOP was "flying under the radar" of the U.S. Department of Education(according to a USDOE report)? For students, this is important as the USDOE is there to protect students. If a top UOP official is telling recruiters things like this, do you think rank and file employees get the message they should be more, or less ethical?

Here's a quote from "The Nation" online regarding UOP practices.

"A recruiter could earn $750 for each student enrolled. Management pressured employees to enroll as many students as possible, and to do 'whatever it takes.' If a prospective student could find a better or cheaper option at a local community college, recruiters kept it to themselves.

Employees told investigators they learned that only one thing mattered at Phoenix: getting 'asses in classes.' Federal law, however, mandates that college enrollment counselors not be paid a bounty per student, to insure that counselors do what is best for the student, rather than for themselves or the company."

"After sending my transcripts for evaluation, their enrollment advisor congratulated me on achieving the maximum credit transfer and signed me up, pointing me in the direction of financial aid. He said the matriculation of the credits was now a mere formality, but could take up to three weeks into the course to complete."

The things that go on at this company, whew, well, what can a fella say? Did you know Dave that the Corporate Director of Enrollment at UOP told recruiters that the UOP was "flying under the radar" of the U.S. Department of Education(according to a USDOE report)? For students, this is important as the USDOE is there to protect students. If a top UOP official is telling recruiters things like this, do you think rank and file employees get the message they should be more, or less ethical?

Here's a quote from "The Nation" online regarding UOP practices.

"A recruiter could earn $750 for each student enrolled. Management pressured employees to enroll as many students as possible, and to do 'whatever it takes.' If a prospective student could find a better or cheaper option at a local community college, recruiters kept it to themselves.

Employees told investigators they learned that only one thing mattered at Phoenix: getting 'asses in classes.' Federal law, however, mandates that college enrollment counselors not be paid a bounty per student, to insure that counselors do what is best for the student, rather than for themselves or the company."

Sorry for your experience. Theres lots of info out there indicating you are far from the only one whos had problems, as evidenced from accounts by the US Department of Education and press accounts, painting a disturbing picture of questionable business tactics. You can find links to most of this stuff going to www/kroplaw/com, they are the firm engaged in a massive false claims lawsuit against the school...To get a better feel for your own situation, you should probably start by reading the USDOE report on UOP recruiting....

Here's a few quotes from the USDOE....

--"UOP's behavior during the program review process further substantiates the ethical concerns expressed by both current and former employees."

--"One of the On Line recruiters said that her manager called her and one of her teammates aside when it was learned that the Department was reviewing the incentive compensation issue.....The manager coached them to say that salaries were based on a number of factors, not just enrollments. The manager futher instructed them that they were not to speak to any former employees about what goes on at UOP."

--"Recruiters at both On Ground and On Line stated that they are pressured by management to enroll students who are not qualified."

"--"Recruiters at the On Line Campus were aware that many improprieties involving Title IV funding and the enrollment process occurred in order to receive credit for enrollments. "People do a lot of seaky things to get regs (enrollments)." For example, there was one recruiter who created an entire FAFSA and completed all the forms for the student. He created the login and password for the student and the student could not even get into his account because he did not have his password."