University Of Phoenix Ripped-Off By The Phoenix Phoenix Arizona

@Rick-
I'm sorry to inform you, You are quite wrong. I am 43 and I was almost ripped off. But my daughter was ripped off.
The enrollment counselors encourage you to sign; they tell you it's just formality that you really don't have a loan, it's only if you want a loan. That by signing, doesn't mean you have a loan.

BULL Schnizzles!

This is where they take advantage of the younger generation! They know these kids are fresh out of high school are excited about getting a degree and getting it "FREE" well that is what UOP will tell you; that you are paying nothing, but in reality, after they get about 6mon out from graduating they are hit with the financing dept calling them about their loan they never knew they had.

I am presently a student with The University of Phoenix. After attending six class and 18 credits with an "A" average, I decided not to attend the college any further. I have had no problems with the university or its staff. The decision to withdraw from the school was a matter of money and time.

I must start out by saying that the classes were challenging. The classes were far from easy, and I did learn from each of those classes. What I did know before the classes started is that I must meet the minimum participation standards of logging in on any of the forums at least once a day for a minimum of two days.

To receive a grade in participation in a class one must make two replies a day for at least three days. This requires writing daily and adding to and furthering the discussion. If one fails a class; the tuition will not be covered by any loans or grants, and must be paid from one's own pocket. It is not hard to maintain a "C" average.

When one signs up for class one is entering into a binding legal contract with UoP. They are in fact a business, and as in any business they are out to make money. It is up to the student to make sure that the student lives up to his or her contractual obligations.

If one wishes to drop out of the college there are a few requirements. First contact the school by email. Notify the academic and financial advisers 30 days ahead of time before your next class starts. You must do this by e-mail. An email may constitute a legally binding contract, and is admissible in a court of law. You will be contacted by phone and an attempt to persuade you to stay with the college is a standard practice. Simply stick to desire to drop out. The college must allow you to do so. Once you start a class, even if it is for one day you are legally obligated to finish the class or pay for the class out of your own pocket.

Every phone call must be followed up by an email reaffirming what was said over the phone. An email can not be deleted by the receiver without the proof that it was indeed sent by you. You have a copy of the email in your records, the school knows this and can not blame an error in communications because it is written in black and white by you. Save all of the correspondence in case you need to forward it to the Attorney General of the State of Arizona.

If you do not receive a response in return within a couple of days reaffirming what was discussed over the phone; send it again reminding them that an email was sent and what was discussed. (Do Not Rely On What Was Said Over The Phone). Put it in writing. If the counselor disagrees with what was said have them email you a response stating so. Get all conversations in writing using email.

My financial counselor tried to get me to stay with the school, but I held firmly to my position. She then told me it would take 30 to 45 days for them to return my funds to my student loan provider. I told her that was fine, I then sent an email to her to reaffirm what was spoken over the phone. Phone conversations are hearsay; emails can not be disputed. Do not let the time limit pass because once the next class starts you owe the money.

They may delay your withdrawal intentionally or by mistake; either way without the emails to prove it you have little proof that the conversations took place or what was said. Again; reaffirm each phone call by them with an email to them stating what you believe was said. If you are wrong they will state that in an email to you. Ask for the correct information by email, do not allow a phone call to be a proper response. Make sure they put their position in an email and it is sent to you. Do not delete any conversation between you and UoP.

I have had a couple instructors that were average in their duties. Most of my instructors were very good at what they do; two of them were excellent. I do not recommend an on-line education for those just out of high school. For younger students I would recommend a standard Sticks and Bricks institution. On-line education is for older students that have some technical and college schooling under their belt. It is a great opportunity for many of us that already have a career or a good job, but need a refresher to keep up with the those that use a computer in their everyday lives or businesses. That is where the future in school and business is heading.

I have read all the Rip-Off responses in this thread. The common error with many of these students, that are unhappy with the college, have a couple things in common.

First; they are young. Secondly; they have not read all the fine print as to the student's and the college's obligations under a contract that was signed. Third; the students were talked into taking two classes at a time. This is a heavy burden for single mothers and those that have full time jobs. I have found my self staying up to 2:00 AM to get the work in on time.

I would insist on taking one class at a time. You are allowed 29 days between classes before you are obligated to take another class. Take advantage of this to give yourself a rest between classes. You also have a one time emergency clause in the contract that allows for a nine week suspension of classes without penalties as long as you let them know immediately. Phone them and follow that up with an e-mail detailing your understanding of the conversation. Email both you academic and financial counselors each time you make any contact with the school. If it is by phone (I can not stress this enough) follow up with an email. Do not let more than two days go by if you do not get an immediate response.

Do not put off contacting the school. Give them and yourself plenty off time to work out any issues that you may have. Always be polite; remember Netiquette. One can gather more flies with a teaspoon of sugar than a gallon of vinegar. If you must send the emails to a third party in the future, you do not want to appear angry or incoherent.

I enjoyed my experience with The University of Phoenix. I understood what I was getting into. Now that I am leaving there is always a possibility that someone will try and use the contract, that I willing signed, to keep me from collecting my student loan balance by exploiting an error on my part. I will not give them that opportunity. I am covering my bases and will not allow more than two business days to pass without contacting them and asking them for an update on my status regarding my withdrawal.

Write intelligently, be polite, and sound informed. They understand by the way one communicates what they are up against if any one individual tries to put me into collections for a mistake that can occur on their part. As long as you have it all in writing via email and have given them the proper notice in advance it will not be of any benefit to them to try and delay or take your money.

You have the emails to provide the Arizona State Attorney General if there is a dispute. If it can be shown you gave proper notice and made an effort to keep in touch with them on a regular basis you will not be put into collections.

College is not for everybody. The university does employ high pressure tactics to get you to enroll. Do not rush into any contract without reading it; especially the fine print. It is fine print for a reason; that is were the most important details of any contract is located.

I hope this was of some help to anyone wishing to enroll in an on-line college. The UoP is one of the better schools offering their services to students. It is far from being a diploma mill.

Respectfully,

A soon to be former student of UoP

Working full time and wishing to continue my college education online, I contacted the UoP yesterday and this evening received a call from one of their counselors.

I was estatic; he was stating how I qualified for the Pell grant based on simple info given to him by telephone and how I could start online classes as early as March 9th.

This phone discussion took about 30 minutes, it was mostly chat about the UoP, how the online courses work, my previous education and present employment, etc.. I then asked him if he could call me at a later date to complete my application for the student loans and enrollment. Dinner was ready and getting cold and I wanted to watch the Presidential State of The Union address.

Am I so happy I postponed enrolling at the UoP !!

Later on this evening I decided to research UoP and came across this website. Needless to say, after reading about 20 comments by folks who have had a very unpleasant experience with this organization, I am NO longer interested in UoP and have no desire to enroll.

Thank God for Ripoff Report. You have probably saved me financially and emotionally.

Thank You to all who have posted their stories here to warn others. Your comments/warnings here have definitely helped me and I know will help others from going through what you have been through.

Sincerely,

Tonja Brown

Working full time and wishing to continue my college education online, I contacted the UoP yesterday and this evening received a call from one of their counselors.

I was estatic; he was stating how I qualified for the Pell grant based on simple info given to him by telephone and how I could start online classes as early as March 9th.

This phone discussion took about 30 minutes, it was mostly chat about the UoP, how the online courses work, my previous education and present employment, etc.. I then asked him if he could call me at a later date to complete my application for the student loans and enrollment. Dinner was ready and getting cold and I wanted to watch the Presidential State of The Union address.

Am I so happy I postponed enrolling at the UoP !!

Later on this evening I decided to research UoP and came across this website. Needless to say, after reading about 20 comments by folks who have had a very unpleasant experience with this organization, I am NO longer interested in UoP and have no desire to enroll.

Thank God for Ripoff Report. You have probably saved me financially and emotionally.

Thank You to all who have posted their stories here to warn others. Your comments/warnings here have definitely helped me and I know will help others from going through what you have been through.

Sincerely,

Tonja Brown

Working full time and wishing to continue my college education online, I contacted the UoP yesterday and this evening received a call from one of their counselors.

I was estatic; he was stating how I qualified for the Pell grant based on simple info given to him by telephone and how I could start online classes as early as March 9th.

This phone discussion took about 30 minutes, it was mostly chat about the UoP, how the online courses work, my previous education and present employment, etc.. I then asked him if he could call me at a later date to complete my application for the student loans and enrollment. Dinner was ready and getting cold and I wanted to watch the Presidential State of The Union address.

Am I so happy I postponed enrolling at the UoP !!

Later on this evening I decided to research UoP and came across this website. Needless to say, after reading about 20 comments by folks who have had a very unpleasant experience with this organization, I am NO longer interested in UoP and have no desire to enroll.

Thank God for Ripoff Report. You have probably saved me financially and emotionally.

Thank You to all who have posted their stories here to warn others. Your comments/warnings here have definitely helped me and I know will help others from going through what you have been through.

Sincerely,

Tonja Brown

Working full time and wishing to continue my college education online, I contacted the UoP yesterday and this evening received a call from one of their counselors.

I was estatic; he was stating how I qualified for the Pell grant based on simple info given to him by telephone and how I could start online classes as early as March 9th.

This phone discussion took about 30 minutes, it was mostly chat about the UoP, how the online courses work, my previous education and present employment, etc.. I then asked him if he could call me at a later date to complete my application for the student loans and enrollment. Dinner was ready and getting cold and I wanted to watch the Presidential State of The Union address.

Am I so happy I postponed enrolling at the UoP !!

Later on this evening I decided to research UoP and came across this website. Needless to say, after reading about 20 comments by folks who have had a very unpleasant experience with this organization, I am NO longer interested in UoP and have no desire to enroll.

Thank God for Ripoff Report. You have probably saved me financially and emotionally.

Thank You to all who have posted their stories here to warn others. Your comments/warnings here have definitely helped me and I know will help others from going through what you have been through.

Sincerely,

Tonja Brown

Daniel,

After reading your claim, I feel compelled to offer some advice regarding inviocing disputes. You said that UoP sent a letter or invoice, or whatever they may have sent. Was the invoice itemized as to what services were rendered and what charges were incurred for each service/fee? I hate to say it, but it sounds like you got cold feet and don't feel like you should pay for anything the institution has done to get you enrolled and into classes.

In addition, you probably should have requested that the enrollment advisor contact you at a later date because you were not available to discuss an important issue like education at the time.

Every college I have researched (traditional and online) has fees associated with the application/admissions process. They have to pay for records checks and things of that nature.

My recommendation would be to request an itemized statement from UoP for all services rendered and fees associated. With the itemized statement in hand, you are better prepared to dispute any charges you feel are inaccurate.

Hope this helps.