Kaplan University Online financial aid, rip off, fraud Internet, Illinois

The only things that I did come across was that everyone who signed an Enrollment Agreement gave up their right to any class actions. There is a process that everyone has to go through because of this. It's an Arbitration Agreement. If you signed the Enrollment Agreement prior to February of 2011, you most likely will need to look at page 3 of your agreement. Many lawyers will not give me the time of day to actually help me through this matter.

My story is very similar to yours.  I started out just this past March 2011 with Kaplan, and I pulled out loans and Pell Grants to cover all costs until I graduated.  Now after November 2011, they charged me $801 which they were quick to start harassing me daily to pay that fee.  I kept asking what the fee was for, and telling them I had no prior knowledge to this fee. I got transferred several times to the Financial Aid Office and spoke to two people who did not know what the fee was for, or made some story up that did not make any sense.  I finally gave up on my 'over-the-phone' attempts, and emailed the Financial Aid Office, and got a totally bogus response in which they have changed the fee to $430 now.  Not only that, but all of a sudden my total tuition and fees amounts are different between the emails they are sending me and what is indicated on my account history.

I am working with a few other Kaplan students, so please contact this lawyer in Florida, he is helping all of us....please pass this information along!!!

Mike Wappler
m.wappler1@gmail.com

I hope we can get something started, if any questions just message me!  

--Chris

I have recently finished my Bachelor's program at Kaplan University. Three days prior to my completion date, three charges were placed on my account. Amounting to nearly $2,800. I had attempted to contact the financial aid department at Kaplan. I was advised that I had reached my aggregate subsidized loan amount which is $23,000 for undergraduates.

While I spoke to many individuals and continuously asked for proof, they informed me to check the National Student Loan Data System at http://www.nslds.ed.gov. When I had gone to the website and viewed all my recent loan amounts, I was not over my aggregate limit.

I contacted the federal student aid program from that web site and asked if they would be able to show me if there was any request to return funds and to verify the information I was looking at was up to date. They advised me that they can not see repayments to the lenders.

I then contacted the direct loans department and asked them for proof that they requested money back from the school. They said that they do not ever request funds back from the school and it is the schools responsibility to watch the students limits to ensure that they have not exceeded them.

With all this information, something did not add up right. So I reviewed my enrollment agreement to see what my options were. According to the enrollment agreement, you gave up your right to join any class action suites against the school. However, there is a way to handle the case. You will need to go through an arbitration. This is going to be as confusing for you as it is going to be for me. There are many rules, regulations, and guidelines you must follow. If you have access to your enrollment agreement, it will explain briefly what you signed. I am not sure if your agreement is the same as mine, but this is the only option the students have.

I'm afraid I don't have any advice to help you in your particular situation, but perhaps your post will serve as a warning to others.

Students should ALWAYS demand an awards letter from financial aid that states: (a) cost of tuition per semester, and (b) what aid has been awarded (e.g., grants, loans, etc).  The difference is what you owe to the school.

A university can't arbitrarily decide that you are no longer eligible for aid. There are formulas that determine this.

Students MUST take more responsibility for their money.  Demand everything in writing, and don't sign or commit to anything until you're satisfied it makes sense. Above all, DO NOT enroll in any classes until the aid has been determined.