American International University-Online American InterContinental University-Online School Ripoff Atlanta Georgia

I myself became a student at AIU and must agree with your experience. I started in 2003 with AIU for a Bachelor in Criminal Justice and have been told that it will cost me about $12.000.00 which I can get in loans.

The Government disbursed loans to be paid back in the amount of $17.768.00 and I made self payments and received scholarships in the amount of $10.768.00 in the course of my studies. Also I took a CLEP test for three credit classes (which I payed for myself) and three challenge tests to obtain my credits to graduate.

In March of 2005 two month before I graduated with a GPA of 3.98 AIU to my chock informed me that I cannot obtain employment unless I am a US Citizen even that they know I am a legal resident of this country.I immediately proceeded with Imigration to become an American which can take more then a year to process.

But the worst news came in form of a letter I received from Educational Loan Services with the indication to pay my loans back in the amount of $28.580.00 with an interest of $6.271.00 all in all $34.851.00.

I contacted not only the loan company but AIU and got nothing more then two pages of a financial summary. After that I get handed from one person to another and I cannot login either even if I am told that I can due to the Alumni site.

Today I am working part time for a bit more then minimum wage since I am over qualified. I am still waiting on becoming an American and been granted Economic Hardship Deferment till May 2007.

The sad part is that we are not the only two people regarding AIU finances since I know more the 30% of my classmates endure the same. From charging a lot more for books then they actually costing to allowing a person to take classes for a master for eight month only to inform that person can't obtain this master without a bachelor. When this big mistake has been found the person received no credits for already taking classes and had to start all over again.

Looks like I have been taking advantage off and therefore I feel betrayed since I try to better myself in getting a higher education since I raised my children (one disabled) as widow alone into adulthood.

In the end I am paying back $ 34.851.00 for a bachelor obtained online which would have cost me less by going to a university including room and board.

Be glad you went away and good luck to you. Perhaps you let me know what the outcome is in your case with AIU.