American Intercontinental University (AIU) dishonest business practices/fraudulent practices/ripoff Hoffman Estates Illinois

I contacted AIU online in July of 2004 in regards to earning a degree through their University. Soon after that I was contacted by a gentleman by the name of Rick. I was given a degree plan and an amount for this plan.

I was also given the opportunity to take challange exams as an adult learner so I could complete certain lower level requirements that enabled me to be placed further ahead in my degree program. I applied and was approved for my Stafford Student Loan.

I received an e-mail from Jessica E. on July 16, 2004 stating my degree plan was complete, but was tentative until they had all my transcripts. Later that day I got an e-mail from the Chief Operating Officer Nick Fluge letting me know that I did not have any items missing from my permanent file.

I was scheduled and took three(3)challenge exams and passed all three. Which was suppose to place me further along in my degree plan.

Around the end of August about 1 wk before classes were scheduled to start I was contacted again by Jessica, this time by phone, letting me know they had reviewed my transcripts and I was still lacking some credits and would need an additional (2) classes in order to obtain a degree.

I asked her how much more was this going to cost and she said she would have someone from financial aid contact me back. A gentleman by the name of Chris called me back and said it would cost an additional $2000.00 on top of what my Stafford Loan would already pay. Because I was unable to obtain financing elsewhere AIU would finance this for me on an extended payment plan for $146.13/mth.

I asked him several times if this was everything I needed in order to graduate and receive my degree in Feb. 2005. He assured me that I would not need anything additional and with these 2 extra classes I would receive my degree in Febuary.

I agreed and took 4 classes over a 10 week period. I did not receive any calls or e-mails during this time other than from my professors regarding my classes. We took a fall break and I logged on November 20th 2004 to begin my other classes only to find 3 more classes on top of the other 2 classes they had originally placed on me.

I got an e-mail the same day stating if anything had changed in my degree plan to contact financial aid. I called and left a message for my financial advisor to contact me back. I got a call from Dianna C. she told me they did not have one of my transcripts and I needed these 3 classes. I told her that in the beginning I knew I needed 2 more classes and made payment arrangements for this.

She told me there was nothing she could do and it would cost an additional $5000.00 for these classes. I was told we can add this to your original agreement for payments of $400.00/mth. WHAT!!

I was told that if I did not agree to this I could not finish my degree. I was given the option to take CLEP exams at a cost of $85.00/exam but she did not know where there was a facility for me to take these or how many exams I would need to take.
I withdrew from AIU on Nov. 20th 2004.

I contacted the Dean, the assistant Dean and still did not get any resolution to this. They have since turned me over to a collection agency for 893.76 they say I still owe.

I have been in contact with this collection agency and I am in the process of disputing these charges. I have contacted Wacovia (the holder of my Student loan)I am currently making payments to them until this is resolved.

Here is my suggestion to everyone in this similiar circumstance.

1)Contact the BBB of IL and file a complaint, they will take this to AIU to try to resolve. AIU will of course dispute and the case will be closed but at least there is a complaint on file with them regarding this company.

2)Call the FTC at 1-877-382-4357 and file a complaint. (They will not be able to do anything, but they will keep up with the number of complaints and look for a pattern)If enough complaints are filed with similiar circumstances they will investigate.

3)Call the State Licencing Agency of IL 1-217-782-2551 and file a complaint againt AIU. They can give you important information on who you might contact to resolve this.

4)Consumer Fraud Division in Chigago IL 1-312-603-8700

5)Call the Attorney General of consumer affairs and file a complaint.

I am looking into filing a lawsuit against AIU and would be interested in any input from anyone out there that may be interested in pursuing this further.

Melissa
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
U.S.A.