Everest University Online Financial Aid Fraud , Internet

The exact same thing happened to me for the same term. I withdrew in January 2011, before the start of a new term. Not until March was I told I had a balance. I was told that if I paid $400+ that the financial aid dispersment, that hadn't posted yet, would cover the rest of my balance and I would be fine. Stupid me I paid it. Then a month later, I was told I still had a balance of $700. When asked why, they told me that for my first term in August the financial aid had not dispersed yet. They said wait and all will be fine. Another month same thing, but different excuse. Another month and I received a letter saying the aid dispersed and I had a CREDIT of $700. That was great, where was my refund check? Another month, and a letter saying that I owed $700 again. When asked they first told me that the money was sent back because it was more than the account balance. An audit of my account was requested. I heard nothing back for a couple weeks. I called and was told that the audit had never been done. Another one was requested. This time I was told a couple days later that the money was returned because it was an "ineligible dispersement". I asked why and was told a series of excuses. One that I withdrew past the drop date, FALSE. Two that I was sent directly a check for the loan amount and didn't send the money to them, FALSE again. Then there was my favorite, we are not sure because all of that information has been cleared from my account when I withdrew. All in all, after much arguing, threatening, $400, and 8 months after withdrawing Everest University Online sent me an email saying that " as a show of good faith" they were going to write off the remaining balanced owed. Nothing was ever mentioned about the money I paid out of pocket or a definitive answer on what the heck went wrong. At least now I can finally get my transcripts and attend a good honest not-for-profit school with the right accreditation. I learned a very important lesson about doing your research on something before investing any money or time. A very expensive lesson, but one I will never forget (monthly financial aid payments won't let me forget).

Hi Holy,

I am so very sorry to read that you have been attending Everest University.  I read that you were concerned about losing your credits, however, your credits are not worth anything anyway.

This school is a diploma mill.  It is a joke amongst the true academic sector.  Your credits are without doubt worthless, as well as your degree will be.  Your credits are not and will not ever be transferrable to a real university.

You may wish to get out while you can, sue the school for your money back..do whatever it takes.
Then start over at a real school.  Acquire a degree that is worth something.  One you can be proud of. :)

I used to work at this school at one time.  I am well aware of what I am talking about.  I left due to this schools ill practices.

I acquired my degrees from real university's and today I am a Professor at a real university.  Therefore, I am not misinformed.  

I hope that everything turns out well for you.

Wow...so many complaints on here about Everest University Online.  I started Everest University Online back in July of 2007.  I graduated in January of 2010 with an Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies.  The only problem that I experienced was that the financial aid representatives were very slow. I was informed that they did not have the manpower they needed, due to an increase in students going to school online, and that they were in the process of hiring new people. As far the school not be accredited, I was able to transfer some of my credits to the college that I am attending now, which is Virginia College Online. I really liked Everest, just did not like how long it took them to process my funds. But by being at Virginia College, and going through hell with members of the financial aid office, I would go back to Everest Online anyday. I pretty much think just about all universities/colleges (whether it be online or going inside the classrom) financial aid office have some serious issues. Also, Everest University was very expensive, but besides that I really enjoyed the school.

Hello Consumer,

I wish I would have taken the opportunity to have found this web site before I registered at Everest University. I am not sure how to begin with this story.

Well, a little over two years I was excited to be in grad school and hoping with this degree I can obtain my doctorate in Criminal Justice.

After I saw how rude and nasty careless individuals are at Everest University I wanted to transfer out. But to no avail I was told by several University's that my credits were not transferable to another university. I was sad and very disappointed by this so I felt stuck.

I am almost finish and only have less then six months to go. I have tried in numerous occasions to inquire about employment I have been a teacher in NYC for over 5 years and I am an excellent teacher. I take the time to understand each student and their needs.  

Sadly to my waste less degree from Everest I am not able to obtain a job. When I confront the Dean or asst dean they are rude and defend there positions as if they have stock in the school. I am fully aware that I am not only one that can get the job but the leads they gave me were useless.  To get to the bitter end I wish I can have all my money back, but in the real world I am not going to get it back but here I am warning others if you have a GPA above 3.5 do not for any moment go to Everest. A hard lesson I learned. Foolish me.  I hope this never happens to another hard working student ever again. Take a good look at the University and the benefits for the students.

Only I was told, they are still using their third party company as of last week.  My financial aid and verification have been repeated four times now and I still have no financial aid.  Although, I was approved back in February.  Also, at one point asked for information on my account balances.  The NSLDS site says I was given 4600 in pell grant money and for some reason, the school is reporting 788-but the money was used somewhere.  I maxed out my student loans as well, still not knowing how much each class or rather tuition is costing me.  I recieved small refunds from the loans and still nothing from the Pell Grant and the school is stating they only used 788.  SO-with all of that having been said-I still have not recieved my financial aid package from the school, nor any info on loans. 
Now-back in
 the day (many years ago), I had attended one of the other everest campuses and due to the same reasoning, I left the school and was told that I owed nothing because of when I was leaving, the loans would be returned to the lender and the financial aid would be returned to the Department of Education (because I hadn't used them).

When I started asking questions about my financial aid a few weeks ago, I was told the school was threatening to drop me because of a charge from the many years ago when I previously left.  I have been attending everest for over a year now and am just finding this out.  ALSO just found out that while I have been attending everest for the second time, I thought I was attending a different campus (didn't want to deal with the idiots I had to previously deal with)-just found out that regardless of what location you think you are signing up to attend with, you are attending the same school (Tampa) and that the other locations are actually just call centers and business offices.  NICE EH???? So-owing over 30 grand for less than two years of school-all kinds of discrepencies on financial aid with no answers-have only applied for loans once-and somehow owe over 30k; apparently still attending the same d**n campus after signing on with a different location and being told for over a year that I was attending a different location up until a few weeks ago.  I'm ticked and thrilled that the school is being investigated.  I have children though, and am so close to graduating, I don't want to lose my credits.  SO, I have to ride this out for a few more months-and then I hope I am done for the love of everything Holy.