CDI College
reviews and complaints

To Whom it May Concern,

I applied to attend remotely with the CDI Edmonton West and was accepted as a student to study as a Certified Cyber Security Specialist. I then applied for a Manitoba Student Loan and started classes on Oct 26, 2020. When I was enrolled with CDI, I was assured the amount that they asked for in costs were provided to both myself and Manitoba Student Loans (see attachment). While attending classes, there would be online labs that students would attend however, the instructor would allow a student to take over the class, confusing many of us and it became disheartening and frustrating. I sent a complaint and was assured that my grades would not reflect the interruptions, but it interfered with my learning process. I was unable to utilize the online classes and labs for many of my courses due to links not working or not being available. This also includes classes that were spent having an instructor reading from an eBook, that was already read by the students prior to class as well as lectures were supposed to be downloadable however, were not.

After completing the first semester, Manitoba Student Loans contacted CDI Edmonton West to confirm that I am still a student and was paid up to date. CDI provided the costs involved so that I could complete the second semester. Shortly after Manitoba Student Loans paid the fees on April 6, 2020; I started receiving weird phone calls from CDI.

They called demanding that I pay an extra $1397 for physical textbooks that have not only been paid for; but I have yet to receive. I have spoken with numerous representatives and the Finance Manager at CDI regarding not having received the textbooks and now they are demanding I pay an extra $11, 000 to continue my education or they will suspend my account. This is a random number that is not on any of my paperwork from when I became a student. They then demanded the money ($5450.00) that I received from Manitoba Student Loan which is my portion to live on while I am a student. I advised the Finance Advisor that my enrollment is paid up to date ($19453.00), that I still have not received my textbooks and again she threatened to suspend my account. Now they are demanding an additional $1166.80 for the textbooks. As you can see by the attachment that all the funds have been released for the remainder of the second semester.

I have spoken with Manitoba Student Loans, and they assured me that all my tuition has been paid in full for the first 2 semesters. The $5450 was confirmed for me to live on while I am a student. They also recommended that I reach out to you for help with this matter. I am concerned that I am caught in a scam. When I enrolled in the course, I was advised that I would graduate as a certified Cyber Security Specialist, I have since discovered this to be false. The total amount that I was expected to pay from Oct 26, 2020, to Aril 20, 2022 would have been $33, 506 (see attachment). I no longer have access to my account; I no longer can continue with my studies as they have suspended me.

I would like your assistance to return the money to Manitoba Student Loans prorated from April 6th, 2020 as well as the cost of the textbooks I never received ($1397). I am not disputing paying the first semester but since I cannot continue with my studies I want to voluntarily withdraw and am hoping for a refund. It's not fair that they are forcing me out of my studies when my account is paid up to date.

I had requested my information to forego future education and was told that I would have to redo my exam because after my request the school has determined that the storage was in the basement and all was damaged and no electronic reference was available.
I'm curious to why electronic data of module marks were kept but the exam marks were no stored.
I paid a lot of money and am still currently paying the payments and would like some clarifications on the way I could get a reference of my 93% final test that they have seemed to lose.
It's not questionable if I has finalised the exam because a close family friend was also in the class that session and is familiar with the whole process and program.
I've tried to have this brought to the attention of someone who can provide me with help but it's just a reciprocal of negative response.
This so called reporting tutorial has no way been available since 2004.

I was enrolled in the Legal Assistant program in Oct 2018 and being funded by my band (reservation) In March of 2019, my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died in August 2019. At that time, I withdrew from the program. There was an amount of $1000 owing and no one notified me of this. I was not contacted, emailed or anything, instead some [censored] submitted my file to third party collections first.
I then enrolled BACK into school under a different program and am being funded once again by my band. From my understanding, this should not have happened. Someone seriously SCREWED UP and this has caused a lot of undue stress because of STUPIDITY!
I've contacted CDI and they are all scratching their heads, telling me to pay the amount owing.
I refuse to as this was handled poorly. I've insisted that I will NO be paying a collection agency as if someone would have contacted me, AS THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO, none of this crap would have happened.
very POOR when comes to being professional. This person needs to be fired! Who screws up someone's credit in such a malicious way?

The Dental Assisting program was so poorly run (online) during the pandemic. They had ample time to sort it out. The in class portion was mediocre with a lot of back and forth and definite lack of communication between staff and students. I realized the program was not for me less then two months in and was told they would be keeping 50% of my tuition totalling over $10, 000. I've asked for them to send me a breakdown of my attendance on multiple occasions and never received a response. Wishing I hired a lawyer to read the contracts before signing them!

It's been a while i'm writing emails to cdi college montréal campus regarding my fees refund and I don't know why they are not replying me! They're wasting my time and only I know the value of it! Ircc is playing with the mental health of the students by not providing them the value information which they need and now it seems that cdi college is following their footsteps too!

CDI College in Calgary asking for more money and holding my diploma I can not go to university because of that and they are asking for more money after I had to finish school at home because of covid. they said that I will have an agent that will find me a job but she did nothing and did not even get me one job interview.

teacher leave school and they put someone that barely speak English she was teaching what she learns in India and not in Canada.

they give us not qualified staff members and they put in in a practicum not related in my work field.

I got suspended from school because of having a miscarriage.

this was a scam.

Given conflicting information when signing up.
Pushed into siging up quickly to the point she wasnt even going to give me a day to think about it or allow me to speak to my partner before deciding.
Paid for books we didnt use, were told were outdated and no longer have access to.
Tutor gave incorrect information, refused to answer questions, didnt teach at all or help. I realize it was a self study course but I was told upon signing up that she would help teach us and guide us through and she did nothing.
I received an email giving me 2 weeks to find a practicum placement and if I couldnt then they would find one for me. I then found out only 2 weeks before the start that I was supposed to be finding my own placement which left me with nowhere I was told we would be helped and supported through that process and was not. I was told as long as I did 20 hours a week I could learn on my own time to then find out we had to be signed in every day. When I tried to address my concerns in the beginning I was either told "this is exactly like attending school" or "this is nothing like attending school" depending on which answer suited my education being the way it was based on each part of my complaint. The practicum replacement project was a joke. It was a generalized project broken down for grading that didnt even make sense for a paper. No one gave us assistance to even tell us if we were going in the right direction. When I did finally get help I was told i could have more role players and less points per player as it was impossible to accomodate the break down they required. I was then deducted marks for not having 5 role players and 5 points per player, after they told me as along as I had 25 totaling was fine. I received the same mark as a fellow student who showed me her paper as we were teamed up rather than have someone at the college help us and yet my paper had relevance, no repetition and met the criteria i had been allowed. Not exactly fair.
My grandmother died and I had to fly to england for her funeral and was not even allowed to take off one day to fly there. I made arrangements to ensure I could study while there but they refused to allow me the day I flew out which was a very busy very tight day. I then found out later that one of my fellow students took a whole week off for a migraine.
Many of us were told we would be able to challenge the exam to become CAs and this is actually not true, you need a full degree not a diploma. I expressed to the counselor I was signing up with that taxes were my main interest and was advised I would be able to process personal and small business taxes with this diploma and that part of the course was so short and basic I can actually do neither.
The payroll portion of this course was an absolute joke. We were specifically told not to use our books, our learning would be all research and yet with zero background knowledge how are we even supposed to know of the information we are finding is correct?
We never went through assignments or anything to see where we went wrong so we never knew what we got right or what we got wrong.
Assignments and exams were pulled from multiple sources but not formatted the same. It literally looked like someone physically cut one or 2 questions from multiple exams and pasted them together. Questions would go 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 42. They made no sense. And then when marking these the tutor couldnt figure this out and docked us marks because she couldnt figure it out. That's not our fault your exams dont make sense.
To ensure this didnt happen again we had to copy questions from the book by typing them across because the pdfs would not allow to copy and paste without reformatting everything all weird and wonky. This takes extra time out of learning to do this.

I was a student at Reeves College which is part of CDI College. I took the Legal Assistant Program. They claim to be accredited college and recognized in the industry.
But what I found was they are the bottom of the barrel. Companies tell me they only hire from Reeves if they are desperate. I figured I was just missing come course. After contacting SAIT, U of C, MRU about their legal assistant courses, I discovered that they will not accept any course transfer credientials. Also, they have courses in the Legal Assistant Program that Reeves does not teach. This lead me to research my courses with real schools and discovered that I paid for classes and books that I did not receive.
Since October 2020, I have sent several emails to Reeves requesting a detailed copy of my account. I keep getting the run around.
I attended Reeves from Feb 2018 to June 2019, I have not been able to find a job and applied to Sait and Bow Valley College. Both stated that none of my courses at reeves college is recognized.
I am looking for get a refund for course materials and instruction that they charged me for and did not deliver. I am still waiting for a detailed statement of account, which they are dragging their feet to obtain. Several of my class mates have looked into suing Reeves but cant get a lawyer to take the case.
I was given books for Legal Research: Step by Step, Legal Transcription, Canadian Business Law part 1 and Part 2 but for Ontario which was a big complaint since we are in Alberta, Interviewing Skills for Legal and Professionals and Rules of Evidence. We did not even open these books or asked to read any of it plus there were not courses that pertained to these books. I had to pay approx $1800.00 for books which I didnt even touch and the ones we did read were for Ontario law, not Alberta Law.
Many of my classmates are with the same opinion and are trying to get their money back. I was asked if I am able to find an avenue they would gladly join a class action suit.
I have emailed Maha Khalifa
Financial Administrator
T: 403 290 1511 (Ext. 2212)
F: 587 952 0006
E: Maha. Khalifa@reevescollege. ca
So many times I lost count (+25) and I still havent gotten a detailed statement. I tried to add PDF files but your website only wants photos. I have even wrote letters asking for information and apparantly they didnt get them.
Maybe you can help before I just submit a claim for the entire amount and let the courts decide. Its not over $50, 000 so it has to go to Provincial Court.

Cdi is the biggest scaam they should be sued. Teachers dont know anything they are so racist and never helped me with my pracicum after grad. They set me up for failure and Im getting money pulled ouf of my account every month.
The cdi college burnaby all the teachers and people that work there are usiing students to pitch in money for their gambelling addictions.
Once I finished school I contacted cdi they said they will get back at me in a couple of days I swear to you they never did. I tried calling over 10 times and they told me the practicum coordinater dont work there anymore . How could you do this to your student I almost suicide because of you guys was in the hospital because I had no job and I owed you guys money from student loans. I almost died because cdi college didnt help me get a job after grad and refused to conact me back left me out dry took all my money and put me in debt .I coudlve been dead!

On February 18, 2019, I was looking into schools who offered a paralegal technology program and came across CDI college because they were the first to pop-up on my Google search page (props to their web team for having really good SEO). So I went to their website and there was not much information except for a basic description of the program, a basic "what our grads say" section (which doesn't give much either in terms of credibility. Anyone can easily just slap a quote and a name.) and then they had the little "request info" form that was permanently stuck on the screen no matter where you scroll.

I wanted to know more about it so I filled the form. The next day, I received a text message from one of their counsellors. I set an appointment for February 20, 2019, at 10:30 am. Now, I usually don't get lost in my own city, but right from her email, it sent me going somewhere else completely so I got lost getting to their MTL location.

When I got to the 7th floor, there was a ton of people looking to enroll and the receptionist gave me something to fill out with what questions I had and basic personal info like name, birthday, employment etc. So after I filled that out, I was told to wait because I missed my time slot (fair enough).

Now here's where it truly starts getting crazy. The lady counsellor I had was super nice. Almost, too nice. (I work in customer service so I can tell if someone's putting up a front or not.) She greeted me and led me to her office. She started off by assessing the little form I filled out earlier at the reception and asked me about what I think the program was about. Then she started saying things like " we're very selective here because this program isn't for everybody. Many people who come in here don't realize how much work it's going to be or don't see the "big picture" because of the financial bit." Then she started talking about how after getting your degree, you will have job placement and then start making money which will basically fix your student debt concern. Talking about how, it's a big investment in yourself and how the job will be long hours, but worth it. How you'll be basically living a lifestyle with your new found salary. "It's kind of like the series Suits" she said. (If you don't know what Suits is, it's basically a TV drama series about lawyers. Meghan Markle stars in it at as a paralegal.)

At that point, I knew this whole thing was a sales pitch. She made it sound so good and for a moment, I was convinced, but I wasn't going to let myself be finessed like that. After her whole program pitch, she had me go straight to one of the in-house financial planners and do a loan simulation to see how much I would get. I wanted to get out but I didn't want to be rude. (Yes, I can do that, but still. I ain't rude.) At that point, I seemed to be fine so I was sent back to the counsellor and she gave me the student book and program catalogue and had me signing papers for enrollment. After that, I was already doing an admission test and was basically approved on the spot.

Overall, they exist. Are they reliable? I would say questionable. I should have read reviews online before contacting them, but too late. Lesson learned. The program cost 18k which isn't a lot compared to the US but for QC that's really expensive. So I have scheduled another meeting with the counsellor tomorrow (Feb. 21.2019), but I'll be writing a rejection letter instead. So yeah. I went in there to get info. not get finessed into enrolling on the spot. For anyone thinking of going there, just be really careful and inform yourself. They're real, but as I said, questionable. Beware.

Hi this is Saba. I want to file the complaint against college CDI. I took the admission in Montreal CDI Capmus, while I was signing up for the course, I told admission advisor that in future I might move to different province, will it be possible for me to continue with the rest of my studies, she said there's absolutely no problem. You can change province anytime and continue the rest of the course at the province where I want to move. When I moved to Alberta (new province) I went to CDI campus here and they said that I have to pay another 10000 to finish the course as CDI Montreal and our campus don't have the same course and cost. As I was new in Edmonton I wasn't approved for grants. And then I had to stop continue my studies as I wasn't able to pay 2000 every month. For 3 weeks of studies at Edmonton campus, I paid 1800$. And they said when you can afford then I can continue.
I had to stop the studies because of all the wrong information given to me. Now CDI Edmonton doesn't wanna Co-operate. When I asked for credits, they said they can't because They can only award credits within one year period of time.
I feel like I was ripped of by COLLEGE CDI. I am paying to Quebec student loan since 2014. And I didn't finished course because of wrong informations that were given to me.
If college didn't help me I will go to the court.

I wanted to be an ECE, but the college adviser I got told me it doesn't pay enough. Then, I was assigned a business administration course which I did not enjoy. I left BA after being told women cannot become firefighters, police officers and so on because they are jobs for men.

They assured me they'd find the course for me. I was then assigned to HCA u set the impression I could work with speculation needs children I the future. I'm on debt $25, 000 for a course I could attend for $[protected] in my current area depending on which community college I attend.

I was amazed that they had neglected to tell me that I wouldnot be able to complete the course without first doing my vaccinations and a TB test... I openly do not vaccinate.

Upon becoming pregnant, I requested some time off because I could no longer make beds and it would be insane to try to do my practicum while pregnant.

I was never welcomed back, and I have to demand my transcripts.

I have not been permitted to complete the course because I do not live within driving distance of a CDI college. I also do not vaccinate for religious reasons, so I will not be able to complete my course. Now, I'm stuck paying for an education I never fully received.

My experience at the college was horrible and I'd never advise anyone to attend any of their colleges.

CDI College's advisors and recruitment team is extremely persuasive and deceiving, me among hundreds of others without a doubt are told we would come out successful. They show you these BS plaques on their walls of high employment rates but fail to mention the rates are so high because of the amount of drop outs so in reality a 90% graduation hire rate is because 15/20 students dropped out or got kicked out/lost funding and 5 graduated with 4 actually finding work in their field. Ask anyone that has attended CDI College and they would agree.
I have very little good things to say about this college, the staff is changed on a monthly basis with "teachers" (usually former graduates) constantly quitting and others be re-hired. I was a student and a graduate of the PLA program, all my instructors were extremely unprofessional; constantly bringing their personal lives to work; except for 1 remarkable former attorney named Tom Toews who was my biggest motivator there.
Upon graduation and an embarrassing display of effort from the school it took months to find me a practicum after graduating. After completing it, the career department STILL has failed to get back to me in finding me entry-level work (keep in mind it has been over a year since graduation).
I have yet to receive an email of updates or any sort of response after visiting and sending dozens of emails requesting assistance to find work WHICH the college GUARANTEES after GRADUATION.
Instructors are constantly slacking, on their phones or playing games on their laptops, there was little to no guidance on work being handed out, no 1 on 1 guidance even though classes are often as small as 10 students. Believe it or not, I had an instructor babble on for over 40 minutes about a party he was at over the weekend whilst explaining his life story and twitter popularity (Todd, quit forever, please, for the sake of students trying to learn)

I pray that it is only this location that is extremely incompetent but i highly doubt it.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS COLLEGE TO ANYONE and I wouldn't wish this even upon my worst enemy.

Hello, my name is Victoria, I am currently enrolled at CDI college campus south. I am an Oil and Gas administration student.
In December I enrolled in this school and had a start date of January 5th. Upon enrolling I and another student were told that the school is a top accredited school with certified teachers. Unfortunately, recently I was told by the campus director that, in fact, none of the courses here are accredited at all, none of the teachers needed to be certified as well. I am now about to start on my 5th month and countless courses.

Recently another student and I had been verbally abused by one of the financial representatives at this college, where we got public shamed in the middle of our campus for asking to see a breakdown of our tuition and book-list. Unfortunately, even with voice recording proof and video, the school is doing nothing about this situation and we have been made to feel out-casted by the staff and some of the students. Not only did this happen once in the privacy of an office, it had happened three more times in the public eye and in private where things like “ I don’t understand how you think you will get through life being the way you are!” and “ If you don’t respect me, I will NEVER respect you!” ( referring to my attitude towards the financial representative when I asked for a breakdown) were shouted at us in front of about 10 people.
The most unfortunate thing of this situation is these are not the only times where our student body have been mistreated and lied to by the staff of this campus, we have had many situations where things like “ Maybe you should be better students and make work for yourself, I do not have time to deal with this”. Had been said to another two students when they asked if they could leave because our instructor had nothing planned for our class except for a 10 minute quiz, so we were left to do nothing for the remaining 3 hours and 50 minutes of the day.

It all started when I moved to Surrey. I needed work and couldn't find anything good. I saw this ad for CDI college so I called. Within no time I was accepted and they got a student loan and then eventually started my course. The teaching was very unorganized, and nobody really knew what was going on. We had time where a classroom was double booked, and other times we didn't know why we were doing next. The worst part was that one student was showing signs of some serious mental health problem and they let her complete the course, lab skills and practicum-- even after contaminating a colleagues coffee and telling far fetched tales to the class and teacher.
As for me, I owe about $30, 000 for a course they won't let me finish. We signed an agreement when I got pregnant stating that I would return after I had the baby. I couldn't continue the lab skills and practicum because I was gestational diabetes and lethargic during my last trimester. I tried calling every month to see when I could return, ; however, Monica, the education manager, repeatedly told me " Don't worry. We will call you hen there is an opening. ". This was frustrating, considering they have new students join every week or two it the start of each section/ mini course. Eventually, I had to give up because I could no longer afford to live in my apartment. Now, everyone has been urging me to do something about it. I can do the same course in half the time for $3, 000 where I am now.
This has been the WORST experience in my life! I don't want anyone else to be misled and used like I was. I also wouldn't want to see some of their graduates taking care if my grandmother or any loved ones.