Florida Metropolitan University Online ripoff of grants and loans Tampa Florida

...however have hope. Every school has students, faculty, and staff that complain. Heck, I just got out of the UOP-hater forum. Seriously, education is what you make of it. Keep in mind that when you hear others complaining (especially here): there is an agenda. A problem wasn't solved or someone felt slightedly and there is suddenly a campaign to bring the "man" down :) I have seldomly found real educational rip-offs, just those that can't deal with the situation at hand and take control.

The others fuel the fire :)

I'm going through a similar situation. See my report on Devry it may give you a few pointers on what to do. The IL Student Assist Commission can tell me when and where my disburstments were sent and for the amount dispersed. Also, check out the nslds.ed.gov for a complete summary of your financial aid and match it up to what they give you and see what happens.

Best Regards,

Keith
Park City

Hello,

I was researching more informaion on FMU because I just re-enrolled to start my Bachelors Degree with FMU. I graudated on 2/18/07 receiving my AS in Accounting. I planned to transfer my credits to Kaplan University after I graduated, but decided to stay another year. I'm writing because I experienced some problems with my financial aid when I started in October 2004. I applied to be a full time student, but the person that did my financial aid did it wrong and the school wanted me to pay $360 a month because of their mistake...I refused because it was no t mistake when I was told from the beginning that I wouldn't have to pay anything out of pocket. I am a single mother of two and a full time employee. After fighting with the school for about a year to get the problem corrected everything is okay.

FMU had a problem with it's inexperienced financial aid employees for a long time because when I was calling trying to get my problem fixed I could never get anyone to correct the problem and I was told that I would get a call back and never get one. As long as there were no problems with my classes I didn't have a problem, because it was on their end, not mine.

I did some research after coming across this information and what I found is that ACIS accreditation is only stated for certain degrees from FMU. My degree is one of them, so I would suggest looking that up, and though I may be wrong, I understand how the single mom with 3 children feel, it is stressfull and disappointing when you loose that kind of money to a school that will not stand by you after getting your hopes up.

I transfered to FMU in October 2004 after I found out that credits from University of Phoenix wasn't recognized by a lot of schools and their degrees are not accepted by SEVERAL employers. I had 8 credits with UOP and FMU accepted all of them. I called Kaplan and was going to transfer because of the problems I was having at FMU and they were going to take all of my credits. FMU has changed a LOT in the last two years and has started sending me letters letting me know what monies have been collected on my behalf, it wasn't that way when I first strated and because of everyone here, you could very well have contributed to that. Thank You!

I say that the type of degree you were seeking was probably the problem.

Though I have a friend that is a part of the class action suit against FMU she is unaware of any actions taken with the Dept. of Education. I do not understand how Title IV funds can be paid for students attending FMU.

Clearly the Dept. of Education has to be aware of the frequent fraud on the part of this school. From what I understand, FMU has become much more informative in the admissions process, making applicants sign some type of letter concerning an understanding of their accreditation. Too late for all their previous victims though.

Jennifer blames the students that sign up for the fraud and states that they were responsible to research the institution. Jennifer - how can you blame the victims that you participate in robbing of time, effort, dreams and loads of money in the form of student loans? It's like saying it's my fault that I was robbed because I was walking down the street.

You attempt to alleviate your conscience by shifting blame; however, it is clear by the anger in your posts that your attempts are not working. And please, do not talk about Pell grants as you and I, and everyone here, knows that they amount to very little in comparison to the tuition and costs of FMU. You are robbing a mother of 3 of a real education and putting her in major debt at the same time.

FMU is far from the only guilty institution in this fraud. Keiser, Corinthian, and many more are criminals as well. It seems as if there are a few new ones that most recently popped up in Orlando - I was searching for jobs and these dumps seek admission counselors as I saw a plethora of ads. I'd rather work at Burger King.

I am on my last term working on a Bachelor of Arts degree in History at the State University of New York (SUNY) and throughout my studies I have had access to my financial aid award letter online as well as an exact accounting of book charges, scholarships, grants, student loans and disbursements.

It is referred to as an "account summary." I also have access to the lender information anytime online so that I can know when the funds are requested by the school and anticipate an exact date that I will receive the amount credited for pending aid in my account.

Do not accept anything less than I have described by an educational institution.

FMU's credits are worthless, I had a 4.0 and obtained a AS degree. No school would accept the degree let alone one credit and I tried many schools.

Comparing FMU to Harvard is absurd. There is no comparison. On the other hand there is one thing that is true of both and that is they both have solidified their reputations

Harvard has solidified their reputation for excellence in education for dozens of years accredited or not.

FMU on the other hand has solidified their reputation for stealing, deceiving, and for poor quality in education.

"Lesson to be Learned" buyer beware whether it's in buying a car or finding an educational institution. Do your research and do take their words to be the gospel, only you can protect your money and time and this is something that you will definitely lose by attending FMU/CC

To all of you a-holes that are sticking up for FMU, first off I did my homework and visted the school before signing up. I asked them if I could transfer my credits from FMU to either Miami or USF, they said yes at least 30 or so times until I figured out what had happend. Then they would not talk to me.

Plus they mislead new "working adult" students into the false idea that FMU allows people to arrive late, and that late students will not get docted any letter grades for doing so as long as the academic affairs office has the nessary paperwork to document the reason for arriving late.

Thrid they over charged me and sucked my Pell Grants dry, they charged me for courses I did not even take, let alone sign up for.

FMU is a criminal enterprise and will be shut down, I currently have 2 attornies on this case and rest assured your jobs will soon be gone if I have my way. I will take this matter to court until I get my money back plus damages.

Stupid FMU Employees! Why dont you all go get a job stealing and raping old ladies, that is on your level.

FMU IS THE BIGGEST JOKE EVER!!! THEY TRAPP THE POOR AND UNDER PRIVELDGED INTO GOING THERE AND STEAL $$ FROM THEM AND THE GOVMT. THATS WHY THEY HAVE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGINST THEM RIGHT NOW FOR DECEPTIVE MARKETING PRACTICES.

IF YOU WORK FOR THIS COMPANY YOU ARE MORALLY BANKRUPT IF THERE REALLY WASNT A PROBLEM WITH YOUR COMAPNY WHY ALL THE FUSS ONLINE???


EXACTLY WHERE THERE IS SMOKE THERE IS FIRE GO TO A REAL SCHOOL OR SAVE YOUR MONEY AND IF YOUR AN EMPLOYEE MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL YOU SLIME!!!

Carla, I completely understand your frustration, but FMU has done nothing wrong; at least in terms of advertising their accreditation. I skimmed through what Jennifer wrote, and it appears as if she is mostly correct, especially with regards to the Title IV Federal Student Aid issue. Only schools that are properly accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) can offer Federal Financial Aid. FMU is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and School (ACICS).

ACICS is recognized by the USDE and CHEA, and this makes them eligible to offer Federal Student Aid. More importantly, this recognition makes them equal to the regional accreditors (SACS, MSA, etc) in every measurable way. This is because all USDE/CHEA recognized accreditors must meet the exact same criteria in order to obtain recognition. Contra to popular belief, there are no accreditation hierarchies. Like Jennifer said, the Federal Government would not allow schools accredited by second rate accreditors to offer financial aid.

I big problem, however, has to do with credit transfer. And I am sure you know how frustrating it can be. However, you need to understand that your credit transfer woes are not the fault of FMU or ACICS. Like I said before, ACICS is equal to the regional agencies. You can verify this by visiting www.chea.org or www.ed.gov.

Those you have a more legitimate gripe with are the regional accrediting bodies, and the administrators at regionally accredited schools. They are engaging in anti-competitive behavior so that they can maintain their stranglehold monopoly on higher education. As a result of this discriminatory, elitist, and gatekeeper activity, it can be hard to transfer ACICS credits.

Currently, only about 40-50% of regionally accredited colleges will accept ACICS transfer credit. But, again, this is not FMU's fault. They are not the ones discriminating. See the rebuttal above for a link to a partial list of traditional regionally accredited schools that do accept transfer credit from ACICS, DETC, and other nationally accredited schools.

The credit transfer issue has definitely gotten out of hand. Because of elitism at more traditional colleges, innocent students like you are being harmed and schools like FMU are unfairly taking the heat. Fortunately, members of Congress have taken notice, and proposed legislation to remedy the situation. See HR 3311 and HR 4283 at http://thomas.loc.gov/ or view the excerpts below.

** HR 3311 Sponsor = Rep Buck McKeon (R-CA) Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness. SEC. 301. REQUIREMENT RELATING TO CREDIT TRANSFER. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:h.r.3311: (a) PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS- Section 487(a) (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (24)(A) The institution will not exclude the transfer of credits earned by a student completing courses or programs at other eligible institutions of higher education solely on the basis of the agency or association that accredited such other eligible institution if that agency or association is recognized by the Secretary pursuant to section 496 to be a reliable authority as to the quality of the education or training offered and is currently listed by the Secretary pursuant to section 101(c)

** HR 4283 Sponsor = Rep John Boehner (R-OH) http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:h.r.04283: SUMMARY AS OF: 5/5/2004--Introduced. College Access and Opportunity Act of 2004 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize various programs. Revises the definition of institution of higher education to repeal: (1) a requirement that for-profit institutions of higher education derive at least ten percent of their revenue from funds that do not come from HEA title IV student assistance programs (the 90/10 rule); and (2) a restriction on distance education in terms of relative number of courses an institution may offer by telecommunications, and relative number of students enrolled in such courses, for purposes of student assistance program eligibility (the 50 percent rule). Allows for-profit institutions to compete with traditional institutions in applying for campus-based aid.

Revises HEA title IV (Student Assistance) to: (1) require a variable rather than a fixed interest rate for consolidation loans; (2) reduce loan origination fees; (3) increase subsidized loan limits; and (4) modify need analysis requirements. Establishes: (1) Pell Grants Plus grants for State scholar students; (2) policies for institutions' transfer of credits; (3) a college access initiative; (4) an expanded distance education demonstration; and (5) a college affordability demonstration. -- Cancels student loan indebtedness for families of 9/11 victims.

STATUS: (color indicates Senate actions) See also: Related House Committee Documents 5/5/2004: Introductory remarks on measure. (CR E755-756) ~~ 5/5/2004: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. ~~ 5/12/2004: Committee Hearings Held. ~~ 6/21/2004: Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness. ~~ 6/22/2004: Subcommittee Hearings Held. ~~ 7/13/2004: Committee Hearings Held.

Both HR 4283 and 3311 were both proposed by Republicans and co-sponsored by numerous additional Republicans (one is a former Democrat). Given the current political make-up (ie substantial Republican majorities in the House and Senate), I would imagine it quite possible for these proposal to pass. If they do, many, if not all, of the current transfer problems will be resolved. And the regional accreditors, as well as their member schools, will no longer be able to treat students and graduates of their nationally accredited counterparts unfairly.

With regards to transfer, Carla, you are a victim, but of not of FMU. You have traditional academia to blame for your difficulties. There is no doubt that FMU is an overpriced school, but they are definitely a real, properly accredited, college. It is a shame that traditional academia, a purportedly diverse, accepting, and tolerant community, does not practice what it preaches!

In any event, my advice to you is: do not let anyone force you to repeat the hard work you completed at FMU. Challenge your current institution by petitioning for reconsideration. When doing so, match up your 8 rejected FMU credit hours with 8 credits worth of similar courses (in terms of content, depth, length, etc) offered at your current school.

Also, provide your school with copies of the equity in transfer statements published at www.chea.org and/or www.acenet.edu. It probably wouldn't hurt to remind your school that, as members of CHEA (and possibly as institutional ACE members) they should abide by the statement. Finally, provide copies of the aforementioned legislative proposals. If your school refuses to comply by awarding the credit you deserve, you could always visit the list of schools I previously mentioned, and transfer to a school that abides by the CHEA transfer statement. Then, you could report your school here for engaging in discriminatory behavior that will soon (hopefully) be outlawed. Either way, I wish you the best of luck, and I hope your financial aid situation gets worked out. Keep us updated.

Visit: www.chea.org/Research/index.asp#fundamentals for Transfer and the Public Interest (A Statement to the Community) (pdf) November 2000 This statement is addressed to institutions, accreditors, and national higher education associations seeking to maintain and enhance conditions of transfer for students. It seeks to energize the ongoing national conversation about transfer decision making, setting into motion a more open and accountable transfer process.

Visit: http://www.acenet.edu/clll/joint.cfm Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit The American Council on Education (ACE), the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) have jointly released an updated Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit (80KB; PDF). This statement provides a framework to revisit increasingly complex transferability issues. The intent of the statement is not to be prescriptive but to provide guidelines based on the current work and policies of our respective associations, encouraging both institutional autonomy and equity and access for all learners.

John states: One more thing I would like to add about the credits is that school do infact except them, it is just up to each individual institution to decide that.

My response: John, you are correct about FMU credits being transferable in some cases. I have compiled a list of over 50 regionally accredited schools that will accept ACICS credits. And this is only the tip of the iceberg!

A partial list has been published here on RipoffReport. You can view the list by FMU visiting FMU report # 24355. See www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff24355.htm

In my opinion, FMU is a rip-off in terms of tuition and value, but they most certainly are a properly accredited school. FMU students who have been unable to transfer should visit the list mentioned above, and then, file a RipoffReport against any elitist gatekeeper institutions that rejected them. See my next rebuttal for more information.

John also stated: Did you know that Harvard is non-accredited school. Look it up! Does that mean you are not getting a top-notch education?

This simply is not the case. Harvard is accredited by NEASC, a USDE/CHEA recognized regional/institutional accrediting agency. Likewise, their divinity school programs are accredited by ATS, and their law school is accredited by the ABA. To determine if a school is legitimately accredited by a recognized agency, visit www.chea.org. If a school is listed there, it is properly accredited.

Harvard's information is below. Source: www.chea.org/institutions/action.cfm
Database of Institutions Accredited By Recognized U.S. Accrediting Organizations

Harvard University
Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: (617) 495-1502
Fax: (617) 495-8550
Web: http://www.harvard.edu

Accreditation by: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC-CIHE) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education The institutions listed here have been accredited or are candidates for accreditation by this accrediting organization (last updated Spring 2003).

First off let me say I have absolutly no affiliation with this school. My thoughts come from the fact that I am attending a school that is currently undergoing a major DOE investigation for fraud (on the part of poor hiring in financial aid - not the school's fault). First, if you enroll, or even register the school will collect money for financial aid if you qualify. Now if you don't attend classes, but never officially withdraw,that's your problem, the money LEGALLY belongs to the school (this is directly from the DOE). If you withdraw, but do so after the schools madated date, part of the money can be kept by the school. If you never attend or withdraw in time the school will send the money back to the DOE (actually the DOE takes it back, the school has no option in this - and DOE finds out by checking all sorts of technical documents that I wont get into - the school can't hide it). Now in some cases there is a miscommunication in DOE and they don't show that the money was returned, that is between the school and them. HOWEVER, if you belong to one of the first two scenerios - any financial loss caused to you because you either did not officially withdraw or you did not withdraw in time - IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. It sucks but that's the way it is. Also with regards to the lady that said she is a single mom with three kids - good for you for going to college. Your kids will be very proud of you one day, if they aren't already, I know I am extremely proud of my mom for doing it, it wasn't easy. And the tuition costs of $17,000. I know, it's expensive, you should have qualified for federal pell grants, Federal student education oppurtunity grants, scholarships, single parent grants, there are literally hunderds of grants that you never pay back. I hope at your new school they are giving you some of those. You don't need loans - trust me - I am going to a school that is costing me roughly $30,000 and I am not going to have to pay a dime. It's a good deal this country has supporting their college students. Anyways, good luck guys the number to DOE is 18004FEDAID if you need to talk to them.


A Fellow College Student Studying For Finals!

Doesnt surprise me that people who work for the school would try to take up for the school. People dont be fooled!! Like I said they reported to the Department Of Edu. that they received a pell grant on my behalf when I didnt even attend the school. Sadly it happened to others as well. And even worse a young lady who WORKED at Fmu told me they did the same to her sister. For the so called employee of FMU who said that I should have let the Department Of Edu. know about this. If you worked there you would know that when I called them they told me that FMU had to fix it because they were the ones who reported this "error" in the first place. But since you didnt know that now I know for sure what type of people this school hires. :) Second of all we all know that no college accepts all credits but the point is that hardly any college wants to accept any of FMU's credits and that is another reason I chose not to attend. Most colleges dont even acknowledge FMU as being a school with credibility. We all know FMU is nothing more than a money trap. They are all about the money. The school is to darn expensive for someone who is accredited by ASICS. Come on get real!!!

If anybody wants to find out any information on FMU Online or the ground campuses for that matter, the information is EASILY ACCESSIBLE. Just go to the website, either www.fmuonline.com for the online division, or www.fmu.edu for the ground campus information. The sites list the cost and the accreditation in plain english. I'm neither a student or an employee. I did contemplate attending the university but after spending about 30 seconds on the website, I decided against it.

Honestly, do you people research your automobiles and homes before you purchase them? An education is an imporant and usually large investment that shouldn't be taken lightly. I don't think that anybody who has posted on this report has issues with their "souls." of brain power. However, anybody who gets in over their head without reading the material provided them, has a definite issues with brain power.

I currently attend FMU Online and I have started having second thoughts after a professor slipped and said something about the school not giving "quality education". I am attending for my Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration. For two years, my total tuition is $18,000. I would appreciate it if any of you could please tell me how to get out of my contract so that I can go to a school that will award me with a degree that I can use to actually get a job.

If you had read my post correctly, you would know I didn't attend FMU online, I actually attended classes on campus. Secondly, if you would like to see my financial aid statement from my financial instution I will gladly fax it to you,just give me the fax number and maybe you can then explain where all of the money went. Like I said 11,ooo students can't be wrong. They should be sued for fraud. We are not talking an Ivy Legue school here. $ 17.000.00 for a year and a half of school is not only ridiculous, it is robbery plain and simple. So enjoy your job sweetheart while you still have it. You would be bitter too if someone stole that much money and you got NOTHING in return. OH and don't be fooled the Dept of Education is doing something about it, and they are not the only ones. Good Luck getting your soul back...

Wow Carla, you seem awfully bitter about all of this. I'm sorry, but I think you are the one who needs to get over "it", whatever "it" is. Maybe the fact that you didn't do your homework before committing to a college? Boohoo to you, sweetheart. I'm not the one who supposedly lost $17,000. Which, by the way, I highly doubt the credibility of that claim anyway. If you have 3 kids, and you're a single mother, chances are you should have received some Pell grant. Again, let me just reiterate that if FMU Online was not credible, then they would not be able to award Title IV funding. Also, I can assure you that if you had a real issue with the school, the Dept. of Ed would be taking action, so the only solution that I can come up with is that you are the problem, not the school.
Good luck with your education! I'm going to go retrieve my soul now. :o)

You are so sick of people complaining about FMU...Boo-h*o! Well get over it. 11,000 students can't be wrong. FMU and the people that work for them are nothing but scum, the true definition of bottom feeders. Anyone who would steal $17,000.00 from a single mother of 3,making minimum wage and going to school full time is scum. Thank god I found out in enough time to get out and go to a REAL university, one where my degree will be worth something when I am done, and only lost 8 credits out of 60. Grow up Jennifer you are just pissed off because people found out the truth. The truth that FMU never tells anyone.

You are so sick of everyone complaining about how FMU had ripped everyone off right? You really believe 11,000 students are wrong? I don't think so. You need to get over it because there will be alot more complaints.

I did research my choice of schools. I don't appreciate them stealing $ 17,000.00 from a single mother with 3 small children,making minimum wage and getting nothing in return. Thank god I got the tip off and left before they could take anymore of my money.

I only lost 8 credits out of 60 by the way when I transferred. The people at FMU are bottom feeders, they have no souls, they are scum... be warned. I am so glad I now attend a REAL university that is actually accreditted.

I will have my Masters Degree in a year, no thanks to FMU.

I work in the Financial Aid office at FMU...
Really, I think that people need to do their research before they attend ANY college. It is common knowledge that NO school will accept every credit from another university- the ones complaining and moaning about "FMU is not accredited, their credits aren't accepted anywhere else" are what we call "Career College Students", which means that they stay in school for as long as possible to keep receiving grant money and federal aid, for their own benefit.
I don't feel bad for these people that have been supposedly ripped off by FMU... odds are, they weren't ripped off at all, they just were misled (not purposely), or they heard what they wanted to hear. FMU IS accredited- if it wasn't, they would not be able to award Title IV Funding. And I know for a fact that Admissions Reps must go over our accredidation with potential students before they enroll, and their is a lengthy explanation of it in the school catalog and on FMU's website. So how can people accuse the school of "ripping people off" if it was their own fault that they did not research their school choice first?

To the woman who supposedly was not told of when your awards were credited or the amount- how can that possibly happen? If you attended the school, for a certain amount of time, then yes, of course some of your Financial Aid is going to be used up. If you did not attend, but are being told some of your funding has been used, then that is an issue you need to take up with the Department of Education. I know first hand that before you even accept admission in FMU, you are given an estimate of what your funding will be, dollar for dollar. When award time comes, all you have to do is contact the school or the Dept. of Ed to find out the date of it being awarded.
I guess my bottom line is, DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!

HElLo-
I currently work at FMU. Here is the thing, ACICS is a national accredidation. They have people constantly coming in to check that the school is doing everything we say we are. In fact ACICS states that we must place a percentage of our students in career-realted fields that were studied at ther school. We have a 72.5% student rate.

Also, did you know that Harvard in a non-acredited school? Look it up! Does that mean you are not getting a top-notch education? One more thing I would like to add about the credits is that school do infact except them, it is just up to each individual institution to decide that. I am a recent grad of U.S.F. and I trasnsfered from H.C.C. U.S.F. did not accept almost 20 of my credits.

H.C.C. is a very know J.C. I work in the school and I have helped hundred of students reach there goals in life. F.M.U. is a life saver, and oportunity opener for all of my students, but it is not for EVERYONE!!!!!!

Michelle,
did u attend FMU or did u only register but never attended? I registered but never attended because I discovered that they were only ASICS accredited and this is what happened to me and couple of others.

I was going to attend FMU here in Jacksonville but I became skeptical when I asked them about their articulation aggrement and the counselor hesitated. She told me that some colleges wont take FMU's credits "Oh but we are accredited and we are better than those other schools." First thing I did was went home and started researching. Then I learned that most colleges will not take their degree because they are ASICS. I decided to go to community college instead. Oh but that wasnt the end I had got a letter from my community college telling me to repay my financial aid.

This happened to some other students also. What had happened was I had signed up for FMU but I didnt go once I resarched them and found out they were a "trap me school" (school that u have to stay at to finsih your education because it wont transfer to most colleges) back to what I was saying I never attended this school and they reported that they had received financial aid for me.

That got me in trouble with the school that I am currently attending. I was so mad! Took three months to resolve because FMU kept denying it. They kept saying "we dont know how to fix it" Mind you the only thing they had to do was to tell Department of Edu. that it was a mistake and it took them 3 months to do it! I guess they didnt want to because it makes them look bad especially since I wasnt the only one who they did this to. I think they should lose the privilage of financial aid since they keep messing up peoples stuff.

Make matters even worse an employee who works at FMU told me the same happened to her sister! Anybody thinking of going to this school think again! Its too expensive for a school that is only accredited by ASICS and guess what you would be better off at a community college then here. At least the credits from a community college will transfer!

p.s. I have signed papers from FMU stating that I never attended! But they reported financial aid for me?! Even though the matter is resolved I get mad every time I think about it. Because it should of never happened. If I knew how to file a institutional complaint against them I surely would.

p.s. Michelle contact the department of edu not FMU's financial advisor they wont help you they are down with these sort of things