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Grand Canyon University [GCU]

Grand Canyon University [GCU] review: taking advantage of my financial aid 18

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2:23 am EDT
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Where do I start? I'm suing this school for everything they are trying to take from me and everything in bewteen! With that said, I have been jerked around for the past few weeks as to when my financial aid will post. I have done everything I needed to do as far as turning in forms and signing papers. Now all I have to do is wait for the school to do their part.in the federal school system I am with the status withdrawn. Not a full time student, but withdrawn from the last school that I attended. I have been at gcu since october 4, 2010. Four weeks into class and halfway as well, I am being told that since I decided not to transfer any credits, I have to now furnish a high school transcript after being told in the beginning that I would not need one. And now I do? I was told I need one to be accepted into the school. So let me get this straight... I'm not a student in the school, but my loans and my military grants to include my pell grant came through? But because I don't have a high school transcript turned in (I tried to turn one in on the 1st of october with everything else), you are telling me I am not even a student? Yet, I am in a class. And I am responsible for paying for this class that legally, I am not supposed to be in? When my lawyer hears this one, he will laugh his coffee out of the cup! Also, I was emailed by craig lafevre the military fin aid guy. He took up a condescending tone with me throughout the emails and when I told him about him self and then kindly asked not to be contacted directly by him, he calls my personal cell phone. They don't care about you at this school. They do not keep up with the students and they do not communicate with each other about whats going on with the students. I have never been so ashamed to say I go to any school, but the funny thing is, I am ashamed for the people who work there who will eventually loose their jobs when the school gets closed down. They run a criminal operation there at the school and I will not stand for it. Nor will I let it continue. I have prayed for them day and night and even tried to say that it was not everyone there, just a few select people. But this problem is something that has spread throughout the school administration. The most important thing is getting your money. My fiance goes to the school as well and they charged her for an extra class that she is not even scheduled to take. Just so they can get a piece of her pell grant. It is a low down shame to claim to be a christian school and we find out it is run by mormons. From the last time I checked, those were two different entities. Am I wrong? I have saved every email and phone conversation. I have forwarded everything I have received and sent to the school as well to my lawyer. I will look forward to the actions the school will try to take to save their hind side. I pray that someone gets through to them. I am only one of many people who have been done wrong, but I will not let it continue to happen. Thank you for reading. Be blessed.

Update by PastorGeneral804
Nov 05, 2010 1:40 am EDT

It is funny how everyone wants to silence those who have problems with the school Robyn. I have on tape, a financial aid counselor's statement that you as a school will take the extra money meant for our education and will keep it. I also have in document, that you as a school will keep $1170.00 of my grant money for no apparent reason because that is how it goes from what I was told during our recorded conversation. I will file suit if I do not see that money either returned, put towards my education during this half of the years term, or placed in a stipend check to go towards the rightful owner. I am not happy with the customer service you give and my lawyer has all of the documents needed to start our suit. So those are your options to silence me. Thank you and be blessed.

Update by PastorGeneral804
Nov 11, 2010 12:43 pm EST

On top of all that this school did to me, the worse was waiting so long to process my financial aid! Not only did they wait the entire month of October before doing anything at all, but now thanks to them, I won't see my stipend check until the end of this month. That means rent won't get paid and I'll be looking for another place of residence thanks to them. Thank GCU! You guys really know how to mess with someone's future!

18 comments
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lionel lane
Maricopa, US
Apr 27, 2014 9:48 am EDT

yeah i am sure its all the financial aid departments fault. meanwhile you failed to inform the school of your prior fa loans at you had applied for where the loan was certified and awarded thru four different online colleges prior to enrolling here. and now for some odd reason your casting blame onto the financial dept for have being responsibled for the withdrawl statues on your account... wow. perhaps you shouldve actually taken the time to read all and comprehend everything outlined within those documents bcs just maybe those go hand and hand with the schools fa policy and procedures e.i. falling out of attendance. perhaps if you decided to be an adult and assume responsibility and taken a different proactive approach to resolving your issues rather than dropping to the floor kicking and screaming this all would have been avoided.

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Kesha Y. Mills
Tuscaloosa, US
Aug 22, 2011 7:38 pm EDT

I am currently experiencing the same trouble with my financial aid. I am already in week five of my second semester and only half of my aid has even been posted. I also had charges posted after my last disbursement that will make my current disbursement, if i ever receive it, much less. I sent a message to my finance couselor, who has been no help through the process, and found out that she no longer even works for GCU. If I don't talk to someone who can clear things up soon, I will be transfering to another school ASAP. I thought it was just me having these troubles but apparently GCU's financial aid department is just lazy and incompetent.

Kesha Mills

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k.wade
Chicago, US
Jun 15, 2011 8:20 pm EDT
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i don't know if im qualified in posting my problems with this school i really like this school. the only thing about it is that i failed two of the classes there and at first i was told that from my finance counselor that she would see if she could get a private loan done i didn't hear from her for a while and when she finally got in touch with me i was told that to continue with my classes that i would have to pay 3734.31. and i never got my disbursements. i did not attend this college for any reasons other than to further my education so i could provide my son who is five, a better life. if I'm wrong then I'm sorry. i don't have the money to pay the sum I am already struggling to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table.

k.wade

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LavLis
, US
Mar 31, 2011 6:53 pm EDT
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I have had the same problem with the school. I have referred this matter to the Attorney General in my state and I am asking anyone else having a problem to do file with their sates Attorney General.
FYI... I did find an excellent On Line School, Nonprofit, with some of the best Professors in the country, I have already finished one Graduate Program and I'm now working on My Second. Look up Nation University if you want a wonderful educational experience.

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booGCUstudents
Mesa, US
Feb 22, 2011 5:21 am EST

All I see here is the same crap that I put up with when I worked there. It was just a bunch of ignorant people who were in school for the refund checks instead of the education. Willful ignorance on the students' behalf. That is what happens when a university has no admissions standards and accepts anyone with a pulse...

GCUStudentResolutions
GCUStudentResolutions
Phoenix, US
Feb 15, 2011 4:15 pm EST
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Hi 4boyzmom,

I'm sorry that you're feeling frustrated. If you can contact me directly I will be happy to be a liaison for you and bring your matter to Ms. Nuckols directly and ensure that she fully understands your issue and is able to promptly respond to you.

Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me so I can do my best to help you.

Thanks!
Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist
Grand Canyon University
robyn.itule@gcu.edu

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4boyzmom
Anna, US
Feb 13, 2011 12:31 am EST

Robyn, I have contacted Michelle Nucklos, 2 times and have not received a call yet. You are trying to make people believe that GCU is willing to work with the student but they are not they avoid phone calls and ignore students. I know the phone calls are supposedly recorded what they need to do is listen to those because I tell my advisors what needs to be improved. GCu can paint a pretty picture but they can't stand behind their word.

GCUStudentResolutions
GCUStudentResolutions
Phoenix, US
Feb 07, 2011 4:04 pm EST
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Hi SBrake78,

Would you contact me directly with the specifics of your concern by emailing me at robyn.itule@gcu.edu and I'll be happy to help you.

Thank you for reaching out to me.

Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist
Grand Canyon University
robyn.itule@gcu.edu

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SBrake78
Phoenix, US
Feb 04, 2011 9:14 pm EST

I am new to GCU, but so far I have done nothing but been stressed completely out! I left my previous online college because I wanted a degree in Health Care Administration. I thought GCU would be a good choice, especially after talking with my enrollment counselor. She kept in contact with me everyday. (I should have known it was all about sales!). I started my academic year with GCU in the middle of my financial aid year. I have talked to 3 different financial aid advisers and have received 3 different stories. I'm now in the same boat as PastorGeneral804. Rent can't get paid this month and I was always under the impression that my school loans were there to help with support of living, as well as my tuition! GCU gives no regard to the welfare of the students. At my previous school, I would receive my refund check on a regular schedule and needless to say, I will be returning to them as soon as this financial aid year ends. GCU is definitely my biggest regret so far in my educational journey!

GCUStudentResolutions
GCUStudentResolutions
Phoenix, US
Nov 22, 2010 8:12 pm EST
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Hello Blessed82,

I apologize that you were not contacted after we spoke. I'll be looking into that to ensure there's proper follow up. Also, I'd like to connect you with the Assistant Vice President of Finance Operations, Michelle Nuckols, who can be of assistance in answering your questions regarding financial aid.

Please reach her via any of the following methods:
Office [protected]
Cell [protected]
Michelle.Nuckols@gcu.edu

I have forwarded her your initial post on ComplaintsBoard for her reference.

You can also reach me at ritule@gcu.edu or by phone at [protected] between 9a-5p Mountain Time should you require my assistance.

Many Thanks!
Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist
[protected]
ritule@gcu.edu

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blessed82
Richmond, US
Nov 21, 2010 9:51 pm EST

I must say MzDiana, the best way to deal with these people is to go through the law. Although my Financial Aid issues have been resolved, (by way of lawsuit threats and recorded conversations on my end), I still have an issue as to why I have a $6000 loan pending that when it goes through it will not go toward my cost of tuition although they say it already does. They charge the government one thing, and the student less to get that extra money the government gives us but do not use it for our loans. Robyn is not a helping hand as nobody has called me back yet after I spoke with her initially. Also they have not called my wife back either as she goes to the same school. We have been having the same issue and like everyone else, she says call her and we can resolve it. It is very funny how they have someone on this website to monitor what people say about the school. I find it hilarious! What I need to understand now, is if my check was cut, how is it that the pending grant will go to my education and yet, I will not see another check until the second half of the year. So there is an excess of $3000 they say goes towards the cost of tuition. As a veteran, my tuition is not the same amount as the average student. Therefore, all of my stipend checks should be tremendously higher than anyone else being they collect 3000 more than the average student and charge me only half of what you pay for tuition. It doesn't add up and nobody has an answer for me. I find it very funny.

GCUStudentResolutions
GCUStudentResolutions
Phoenix, US
Nov 21, 2010 7:14 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi MzDiana,

I'm here to assist students in any way I can and hopefully resolve issues for them.

If there's something I can help you with in regards to GCU, please contact me directly at ritule@gcu.edu or by phone at [protected] between 9a-5p Mountain time and I'll be happy to assist you.

Thanks!
Robyn

Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist
ritule@gcu.edu
[protected]

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MzDiana
Ocala, US
Nov 20, 2010 5:10 pm EST
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I totally agree with the financial aid problems. Why is this Robyn trying to get complainers to talk with her. So they told me, there was nothing wrong on their end. They have not tried to help me. I am happy to hear about the law suits. That is an avenue that I had not thought about because of the bankruptcy attorney saying that these loans not being able to be discharged. I guess this is another avenue open to students/consumers. Bree and PastorGeneral, my heart goes out to you and much luck and success to you both. Please keep us updated as we all need to know how to handle these corporate thieves.

GCUStudentResolutions
GCUStudentResolutions
Phoenix, US
Nov 04, 2010 10:37 pm EDT
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Hi Bree,

Would you please contact me directly and I'll be happy to assist you in any way I can. I can be reached via email at ritule@gcu.edu or on my phone at [protected] between 9a-5p Pacific -- Mountain beginning next Monday.

I'm sorry for any inconvenience you've experienced.

Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist

ritule@gcu.edu
[protected]

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Bree H.
Fort Collins, US
Nov 04, 2010 5:01 pm EDT

GCU has completely dropped the ball with my financial aid. Apparently, my loans were rejected in June but they still paid me the 'balance' - around $4400 - and when the second half of my loans didn't come in, I called them because I was concerned. I was told that everything was fine but that it could take 45 days for them to request it. A week later I sent an email asking if there was any way to request it early and I received an automated email saying that my financial aid counselor was no longer in that position and to contact someone else. 20 minutes later I got another automated response with a different persons' info. Several days later someone contacted me. I was told that they had researched the problem and that they would be fixing it within the week and not to worry. It's a week later and nothing they said would take place has happened. I am so frustrated.

Be careful when you deal with this school. Know what you are getting into and don't expect anything done in a timely manner.

GCUStudentResolutions
GCUStudentResolutions
Phoenix, US
Nov 02, 2010 3:54 pm EDT
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Hi Laneey33,

Would you kindly contact me directly? I'd like to assist you. I can be reached any time via email at ritule@gcu.edu or via phone from 9a-5p Pacific at [protected].

Thanks!

Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist
ritule@gcu.edu
[protected]

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laneey33
, US
Nov 02, 2010 1:49 pm EDT

I have had the same problem this is my 3rd class at GCU, they have yet to post my financial aid refund, I am going into my 4th week of this class this week, I can't believe this, I have called and tried to contact my financial advisor, and they still do not get back to me, they keep saying it can take up to 60 days I have never had this problem with getting my financial aid released to me, I don't know if I am going to continue on in this school, I can't believe how they treat people!

GCUStudentResolutions
GCUStudentResolutions
Phoenix, US
Oct 30, 2010 7:06 pm EDT
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Hi PastorGenral804,

Would you kindly contact me directly, I'd like to assist you. I can be reached via email at ritule@gcu.edu any time and via phone weekdays between 9a-5p Pacific time at [protected].

I'm sorry for any inconvenience you've experienced.

Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist
ritule@gcu.edu
[protected]