University Of Phoenix Online $12,000 loan for a whole lot of nothing. Phoenix Arizona

First, I wanted to write about what has happened recently. In May 2008 I started employment with a state university. For that reason I decided to transfer since the tuition is greatly reduced for employees. I had taken 21 credits up to this point, but have found out that none of these credits will transfer to the state university (these credits were evaluated by the Dean for the college that I applied to). As a side note, the state university is AASCB Accredited. I expected that not all credits would be accepted, but was greatly surprised that none of them were, especially since I would be pursuing the same degree. The state university advisor told me that University of Phoenix credit hours generally do not measure up to their requirements in regards to coursework, materials and grading.

Going back a year:

I began with University of Phoenix Online in May 2007, with a subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan for funds. I had a great enrollment advisor and academic advisor, who held my hand through the process and worked with me on scheduling the classes I would need.

The classes themselves were mostly alright. There were occasions I wondered if there was an instructor at the other end since the teams would not receive instruction or assistance. Generally, the students who worked hard sought each other out and helped one another.

I regularly checked my class schedule/grades/and account. One thing that bothered me was that the financial advisor would inform me by email that a certain amount was due approximately two days before it was due. On one occasion it was about $800.00. Thankfully, I checked the account regularly, so I knew in advance that this was coming. But their notification skills were definitely lacking.

When I informed the financial advisor and my new academic advisor that I would be transferring to a state university because of employment, it was as if communication was suddenly cut-off. I could usually reach the academic advisor, but she would inform that she couldn't do anything for me--that I would have to contact the financial advisor. I called the financial advisor on a frequent basis, he never answered. In his voicemail he promised to return calls on the same day. I left many voicemails - he never returned them. I finally contacted my previous academic advisor who had been helpful on earlier occasions and she was able to process my class withdrawals.

I also had a problem with getting transcripts to the university I was transferring to. The state university told me that the official transcript they received from University of Phoenix was unreadable. I requested University of Phoenix to send another transcript at no charge. Of course I never received a response to this, so I ended up paying for another transcript.

I received notification from my lender--Sallie Mae-- that I would have to begin repayment of my Stafford Loans because I had "dropped out of school"--as informed by University of Phoenix/Apollo Group. This is an issue that I have not resolved as of yet--but will hopefully be soon corrected. However, this is another example of the miscommunication or lack of communication going on between all parties.

I can't say that I am happy to be stuck with a $12,000 loan that garnered me nothing, but I hope that others who read this will at least consider or research into the transferability of University of Phoenix to the university they might attend later on.

Hadri
Flagstaff, Arizona
U.S.A.