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CB Education and Training Kaplan University fraudulent practices, liars and thieves
Kaplan University

Kaplan University review: fraudulent practices, liars and thieves 36

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Author of the review
12:58 pm EDT
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I would like to start off by saying I was into my third term at Kaplan University and decided to withdraw due to the schools incompetent, tenacious and corrupt Financial Aid and Student Accounts Department only to have it go from bad to worse.

I thought trying to deal with Kaplan’s Financial Aid and Student Accounts Department was a nightmare, but after withdrawing it only got worse. This so called University has no integrity, and is one of the most tenacious predators I have ever encountered when it comes to dealing with a school or business.

I had nothing hassles when ever tried ever get in touch with anyone from this so called FA dept. I could never get in touch with my own FA advisor no matter when I tried to reach her. I would call and leave voice mail messages, send email after email and FA would never return my messages, or answer any of my questions that I had.

When I first enrolled at Kaplan, my Academic advisor assured me that all the courses would transfer and I did not have anything to worry about, but after checking into several other Universities I found out that was a bunch B.S., not to mention that they are supposed to be an accredited University, what that really means is they are an accredited school of higher learning, not an accredited University, a big difference.

It was disappointing to find out that a good majority of the credits and courses that I would earn from Kaplan would not transfer over to some of the other Universities I wanted to attend. Most of the 5 credit courses that would transfer over were only worth about 3 credits to most other Universities.

I also realized that I would be going into an incredible amount of debt for courses and credits that would not transfer. At a cost of $320.00 per credit hour, and considering that most of the courses are set at 5 credits each, that ads up to $1600.00 per course. Since it takes a total of160 credits to earn a bachelor degree at Kaplan, that would be a total cost of $51, 200.00, and that’s if the tuition would have stayed the same, which by the way it increased to $340.00 a credit hour. Even with the combination of the Stafford Loans, and Pell-Grants that wouldn’t even cover the total cost of the full tuition.

Almost from the very beginning I started having trouble with the Financial Aid department at Kaplan. I explained to them from the very start that I was living on disability Income and could not afford any out of pocket expenses. I was assured that I would not have to worry about that because of my income, and they told me that it would all be picked up through my Stafford loans, and Federal Pell Grants.

Of course I found that was a big misrepresentation once I started receiving bills for past due tuition. That was when I tried repeatedly to have it resolved with FA and ended up with many different stories as why I now have an out-of-pocket expense that I was originally assured that I would not have in the first place.
When I originally got walked through Kaplan’s financial wizard by my Admissions Advisor it showed that I would not have any out of pocket expenses, but soon after starting my first term I started getting bills for unpaid tuition. That’s when I started confronting financial aid about it.

When I was able to finally reach my FA advisor she told me it was because my EFC rating changed. I asked her how my EFC could change when my income did not change. She tried to say I went into FAFSA and changed it. I told her that was a
bunch of B.S., so I called FAFSA and found out that that Kaplan went in there and changed my EFC from a 0 to 1873 rating which lead to a out of pocket expanse that I was not prepared to pay.

Once again they assured me not to worry because it would get picked up into the following year’s financial aid distribution. I found out that was a crock of B.S. also once I started to get harassed for more money. Now their excuse this time was my grants and loans for the new FA aid year did not cover the full cost of the tuition which once again was a different story that I was originally lead to believe.

I have a friend who enrolled at Kaplan around the same time I did, and she was going through almost the identical same situation I was, and she even had a different Financial Aid officer than I did. The longer I attended Kaplan the more screwed up, disorganized, deceptive, manipulative and greedy I found out Kaplan was. Once I decided to withdraw it took Kaplan about a month to figure out what my final bill would be.

They then wanted me to take this withdraw exit test and said it was required by the lending institution who was holding my loans. The website they gave me I could not even use because I got all kinds of security warnings about the sites security certificates. My Internet Explorer warned me not to leave any identifiable information at the site, which is what you had to do to complete the test.

I constantly called and wrote about this situation that I experienced to see what I could do about or what they suggested I should do, and nobody from their Student Accounts dept. would even get back with me on it. So I contacted the bank who is holding my loans and they said there was nothing they could do until the school notified them that I withdrew. Kaplan never even bothered let the Bank know that I withdrew from school, so I was still left in limbo on that too.
So to my dismay I ended up receiving a final bill in the mail on 08/05/08, even though I did not take the exit test that was supposed to be required to take by The Higher Education Foundation. In only three days after receiving the final withdraw calculation or final bill, I then received a late notice. I don’t know about you, but that’s the quickest late notice I have ever received, in only three days.

I never even received a notice in my hard mail or snail mail, it was through the e-mail. I then started getting phone calls on a daily basis. I contacted student accounts about it, and told them I would pay the full amount next month. I have since received phone calls three times a day on both my land-line and cell phone to the point it has become pure harassment.

It has only been a little over a week since receiving that final withdraw calculation from Kaplan and they have called over 23 times now, because I have kept records of every time they have called. I even wrote and called them back several times and said I would report them to the Higher Education Foundation, The Attorney General and the FCC for phone harassment. Can you believe they even have called twice today?

I can’t believe with all the complaints filed at Rip-Off and other places online that I have read about, along with some of class action law-suites that have been filed against Kaplan University, they are still taking advantage of so many people.

This bogus school has managed to destroy the hopes and dreams of many individuals wanting to improve the quality of their lives, only to have that dream shattered by such a greedy, ruthless organization called a University that’s just nothing more than a front for dishonest, shady and manipulative practices for their own financial gain.
I stand behind and would like to join forces with anyone that would like to get a class-action law-suit against this so called University. Kaplan University needs to be shut-down so they don’t continue to wrecking the lives of hard working individuals with the hopes of improving the quality of their lives. There are a lot of people out there whose lives are totally turned upside down by this kind of ruthlessness.

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36 comments
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Katie Perkins-Fogarty
, US
Jun 02, 2017 12:46 pm EDT

I'm having the same issue with Kaplan. I withdrew in Jan. And I'm getting harassing calls and was told they could use a portion of my family to pay off my debt. They never followed through even though I did what they asked. Now I'm thinking I need to get a lawyer. I'd definitely get in on a lawsuit if so.eone started one!

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Katie Perkins-Fogarty
, US
Jun 02, 2017 12:46 pm EDT

Sorry. Financial aid. Not family*

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Jammie Holloway McPherson
, US
Jan 24, 2017 11:03 am EST

I attended Kaplan University Online and finished my program in 2011. but they messed up on my federal aid and are now telling me that I have to pay them 1400. I wasn't even contacted about any money owed. When they called I was told it was my fault. I have filed complaints with fsfa over them. Now 6 years later I still have not even recieved anything on the money they say I owe them, but it shows up on my credit. I would love to have all the time and money that i have put into a degree that is worthless because they dont know how to train any of their own employees.

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francee3
Kingwood, US
Aug 28, 2013 9:45 am EDT

I'm up for joining a class action suit against this school. Just let me know.

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RebeccaRNBSN
, US
Dec 26, 2016 6:17 pm EST
Replying to comment of francee3

This school took me for a ride in my very last class. I would love to know about your class action suit as well. I am currently seeking to retrieved my hard earned money back so I can finish classes some where else. Let me know, they have to be stopped ! Baywatchers2005@cox.net
Rebecca

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kathy ormsbty
Spring Lake, US
Oct 27, 2011 12:53 am EDT

it he first two semester they claim they didn't get the paper i get it all done to do the next year application financial aid well i asked if they need anything else i was told no, when it came to disbursement time for expenses i was told i didn't fill it out and i did. now they want me to pat back 1, 500 dollars and they suspend me from class so i drop out. now they want all money back can someone help me please. i love the teachers and the classes

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Lady GIgi Frost
Midlothian, US
Aug 15, 2011 6:54 pm EDT

What I'm about to tell you blows my mind and maybe yours too - this is what happen to me with Kaplan today..
Oh Please let me vent for a moment - So, my college sent me a bill for 6, 900 for payment to get me through school till March 2012, with a repayment of $880 a month. So I called them up to inquire. I explained this was never a pre-agreed arrangement. They know this - James at the finical aid office told me he know. So, you think you can send me a bill - when I'm working on getting my own funding - You (meaning the college Kaplan ) with no notice to me and decide "Hay, you now owe us, even though you do not want it - we (Kaplan University) decided you (that would be me) do want it" -
(Kaplan University) can not send me to collections or put anything on my credit just because you feel like it and you can't make or tell me to pay you when it was not greed upon in a legal written contract before hand.

What the school institution is going is a seriously illegal practice and I'm going to make a example out of this school for doing such. So James put me on hold to see if there was anything in writing of course not he said.
James informed me that Kaplan University decided the following - I had 6 credits for the currant class and just enough fund from the government to cover this cost. But Kaplan decided that $6222.00 would be lent to me with a repayment of $800 a month. This would cover me thru March 13 2012 even though with the funds I had already covered this class in Latent Prints they decided to toss in there own money and spread it out of the next three classes and If I fail to pay and even if I make a payment below the $800. Kaplan could block me from my class I'm currently in and then kick me out of school. Remember I already had fund from the government to cover this class. Plus, if I do not make the payment a $100.00 a month fee will be applied on top of interest..
REMEMBER THIS WAS NOT A contractual agreement: "
In law, a contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties which, if it contains the elements of a valid legal agreement, is enforceable by law or by binding arbitration. A legally enforceable contract is an exchange of promises with specific legal remedies for breach"
EVEN IF I DO NOT SIGN IT I WAS TOLD IT WAS STILL GOING TO HAPPEN AGAINST MY WILL
THIS IS RAPE ON A LEVEL THAT LEAVES ME SPEECHLESS! IWILL NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN AND i WILL SEE TO IT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE..

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Michelle "advocate" Mecham
Gilbert, US
Jun 16, 2011 4:29 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

******Here is who you need to contact to get any type of help in dealing with Kaplan University*******

Kathy Feith
Institutional Review Specialist
US Department of Education
8930 Ward Parkway, Suite 2028
Kansas City, MO 64114
[protected] phone
[protected] fax
Siriuma (Rumy) Tiebklang
Financial Aid Ombudsman - Level 2
6301 Kaplan University Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Tel: 954.512.5927
Fax: 888.453.3939
Email: STiebklang@kaplan.edu
www.online.kaplanuniversity.edu

Ms. Jennifer Morris
Kaplan University
Business Office Assistant
6301 Kaplan University Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
JMorris4@Kaplan.edu

I have had so many issues with Kaplans Financial Aid Department that I am switching Universities and seeking out a lawyer. When I sent an email about requesting information on how to exit Kaplan AFTER my semester was over I immediately received a threatening email. This is what is says:
Dear Michelle,

I've given your request to withdraw a great deal of thought and I want to thank you for letting me know the reasons that led to your decision. I realize you've given this much consideration and it isn't an easy choice for you. However, before you begin the withdrawal process, I want to make sure you have accurate information so you can weigh your options and fully understand the ramifications.

It's important that you read this email carefully and follow all of the instructions I've included. If you'd like to talk with me about any of the following withdrawal information and policies, or if you may wish to reconsider, don't hesitate to call or email me right away.

DEGREE PLAN

Please be aware that if you withdraw and then decide to return to Kaplan University your degree plan may have changed in the interim. For example, if required courses are added to the program between the time you were originally enrolled and the time you return your degree plan will not be retroactive. You will be required to take the additional courses.

Furthermore, if you wish to be readmitted to Kaplan University after your withdrawal, you will be required to:

· Reapply through the Office for Returning Students

· Complete additional paperwork

· Submit a tuition deposit

· Pay in full any balance that may remain on your account

CURRENT CLASSES

The tuition for your current classes may still be your full or partial responsibility and may not be covered by financial aid.

FINANCIAL AID AND STUDENT ACCOUNTS

Call Financial Aid, at 866.522.7747, to discuss the financial responsibilities that will result from your withdrawal. Please keep in mind that if you are receiving financial aid withdrawing may cause you to incur a student account balance. That balance will become immediately due and directly payable to Kaplan University. Student Accounts, at 866.522.7747, will be able to give you an estimate of the balance you will owe upon withdrawal.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks for current classes must be shipped immediately to:

MBS Direct Returns
2711 West Ash Street
Columbia, MO [protected]

I know the rigors of pursuing an education can sometimes seem overwhelming. Try to look beyond your present situation and think long term because achieving this goal could lead to a better life for you and your family. Plus, Kaplan University has a wealth of people and resources to help you overcome the difficulties that you currently may be facing.

If I don't hear from you within the next 24 hours, then I will begin the withdrawal process for you. But, I ask you to take a moment, right now, to contact me. Let's see if we can find a way to help you continue moving forward to graduation.

After that lovely little email I responded about being threatened and that I do not want to be a student after this semester is over. They proceeded to block me from my classes. I have forwarded these emails to the department of education and Kaplans Financial Aid Department.

If you are interested in joining me in a law suit against Kaplan for these injustices please email me at sherpamichelle@yahoo.com.

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Michelle "advocate" Mecham
Gilbert, US
Jun 16, 2011 4:17 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have had similar issues to the point of switching universites. Due to financial aid holding my funding for a month and making me almost loss my car etc... on top of that it just got worse. When I recently sent the legal studies hall department an email requesting information on how to disenroll AFTER my semester was over I received a threatening email. It states there would be reprocussions to my actions and that I need to think hard about this decision. The email went on to be profoundly scary.
***If you are having problems with Kaplan University Financial Aid Department contact the FASFA online and you can request an Aumbudsman to investigate. Also contact these people as those are those people I have been working with. ************

Kathy Feith
Institutional Review Specialist
US Department of Education
8930 Ward Parkway, Suite 2028
Kansas City, MO 64114
[protected] phone
[protected] fax
Siriuma (Rumy) Tiebklang
Financial Aid Ombudsman - Level 2
6301 Kaplan University Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Tel: 954.512.5927
Fax: 888.453.3939
Email: STiebklang@kaplan.edu
www.online.kaplanuniversity.edu

Ms. Jennifer Morris
Kaplan University
Business Office Assistant
6301 Kaplan University Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
JMorris4@Kaplan.edu

I have forwarded emails to Mrs. Feith regarding Kaplan "blocking" me from my classes after they acknowledged that they understood that I do not want to be a student after my semester is over with. I also contacted my professors to let them know what is going on.

I am currently to seek out a lawyer who can take my case. If you would like to be apart of my case and turn this into a class-action law suit against Kaplan please contact me at sherpamichelle@yahoo.com. Thank you - Michelle

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suzzanna
Warsaw, US
May 20, 2011 6:43 am EDT

Call your State Attorney General and file with them against Kaplan

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Keylais M Cross
Petoskey, US
May 07, 2011 8:45 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am currently going through problems with Kaplan as well. I just posted a complaint titled Student Loan from 2010. My husband wants to take them to court over this, because even after I proved my loans were up to date they still said I owe them money. My name is Keylais Cross, and I would be happy to explain my situation to you. My email is melissacross52@yahoo.com. It will be a pleasure to talk to someone who got screwed over by this school as well.

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dewittinfl
Port Charlotte, US
Feb 25, 2011 3:04 pm EST

The following is what I am going through now for Kaplan University…and Ideas of help…They need to be blown out the water!
You stated that my EFC (expected family contribution) increased in [protected]…but…I was not even working at the time…the year after that I was on unemployment…it’s all in my taxes…I do not understand how you are even getting these numbers. I looked back at the documents and I also have them dated correctly.…I was not the one who submitted them in late back then. My question as well is why did fafsa and you approve that pell grant if there wasn’t an issue then?…Meaning…IT WAS APPROVED…NO ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP BACK THEN AS WELL! Plus in the documents is still shows approved, with the dates! Why with my taxes this year while I am working am I eligible for pell grants…but back then when I was not working you claim my EFC went up…what are you talking about…they did more than 1 audit through the time I have been here with you. I also had a finance judgment done last year because they raised my EFC and found it a mistake and they yet rewarded me with a pell grant….Look I am sorry I may pay this balance off…but I am still contacting a litigation firm and in the process with dealing with a business lawyer now…I am sure you will get the details here soon enough…I disagree with you…I had never heard of getting approved for a pell grant 3 years ago and then this year it gets taken away from me. I am sorry as well…whatever happens…happens…I am going to fight this. I will pay for a lawyer either way…I still have all my documents and with the proper dates…whatever your people did is your issue to solve…
Please check the attachments for the proper dates…like I said the document was on time and approved!…QUIT WITH THE GAMES! I have 2 of these documents in the attachments… the document 2 was dated on 4/17/09 and the document 1 was dated on 6/11/2009 The document 1 was approved on 6/12/2009… I am not paying until I speak to a litigation firm and I’ll wait to see what they say about the matter. I was approved back then and that is what matters the most!…You do not sell someone a house and 3 years later say “oh I am sorry you are denied credit to live here”.

www.Computertutorandrepair.net

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Tracey MH.
Honolulu, US
Feb 10, 2011 5:38 pm EST

I graduated Kaplan and I it is the worst online school ever. When I fisrt signed on I had a great AA and SA. My degree plan was well thought out and it worked for me. But when my AA got a promotion, it went downhill fast. I was given a total of seven other AA's after that, all of them clueless as ever. The last one Conrad Randal was my last advisor and he did ok, but even he was planning to move on from Kaplan. My FA, Winston Williams, was ok until he got promoted, after that worthless. The FA and AA experience with Kaplan has been a butt ache. I recommended my daughter to attend this school, OMG! nothing but disasterous events. She has gone through what many of you have complained about. She is still waiting on Mr. Brown after a year, to call her back. She called the military student affairs and they did absolutely NOTHING. She was asked to complete a form for taxes and was told to get it from her tax person. Well, that FA was wrong, Kaplan was suppose to give her the ammendment form. So they disenrolled her and now she owes a balance of almost $6000. I do not remember the classes costing so much, only two classes. This school is a dag gum ripp off. Now they will not give her the transcripts because of the balance. They will not call her back eventhough she was told to write a letter if you want to dispute it. She is now attending Everest College and surprisingly needed the same form and the college sent it to her and it was completed in one day. But, she still has 30 credits with Kaplan she cannot get because of her balance. I make sure every survey they send me as an Alumni and when I exited the college was very negative. I still get surveys and I still report the negative experiences I, my friends and daughter have had with this unorganized college. What a waste of a persons time, effort and MONEY. This school may have been ok for me, but for those who need a little assistance, do not bother to even apply to Kaplan, college, University or high school online. They are so unorganized, not on the same sheet of music as far as the military side and regular cstudent side. It's a hot mess. I do not recommend this school to anyone, I mean NO ONE.

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Esaunier
El paso, US
Feb 03, 2011 4:56 pm EST

This sounds so much like my story. I started byt I did not like thestructure of the online classes at kaplan. I chose online for better flexibity but quickly found that wasn't going to happen here. So I withdrew and cancelled all further classes with the lnowing from a couple different FA advisors and an academic advisor who allsaid I was good to go and that based on how faralong in the classesi was that financially I wouldn't have any reprecussionsfor withdrawing. Then two days before Christmas, I get an email saying I now owe them $736 for tuition and nobody can give me straight answers. I've called and called but keep shuffled around between people who give me excuses as to why they don't have answers. And now I can't start schooling anywhere else because Kaplan won't send out transfers because of said balance. Getting very frustrated and no onehas yet called me back after the many times I've called. I truely feel Kaplan is mistake for anyone.

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Appel
peach bottom, US
Dec 07, 2010 2:48 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Kaplan is ripping so many people off! I worked hard for almost 4 years to earn my BS in CJ. They are now withholding my degree, saying I owe them money. However, when I enrolled, I was promised to never have any out of pocket expenses until 6 months after I graduated, then I would have to start paying loans back. Never had a problem with Kalan until now...well at least I didn't know of the problem! We need to get our money and our degrees that we worked hard for!

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jessamyn
Burlington, US
Nov 29, 2010 1:44 pm EST

I am at my last term at Kaplan. I have a fairly good GPA. I have always been able to reach my FA and my SA whenever I call them. My emails are answered within 48 hours and though I have failed 2 classes, I have never had to pay a balance to retake them. I am currently awaiting a check (my second) from the school for credited funds. I did have an issue with the check being late however, I called them and they quickly reconciled the issue. The problem with the payment of classes is this, if you have to retake the class and fail it, you then have to pay for the class. If you retake the class and pass it, this does not happen. This was explained in detail to me by my SA when I failed the first class. I do not have a 4.0 nor am I on the Dean's list any longer (I was for the first year) This is not due to Kaplan but to my own personal family problems. I have also scouted out jobs in my field and have found several that are willing to accept me into my chosen field (with no prior experience other than Kaplan) once I graduate Next month. Complaint boards are common and yes, as said before, free. The problems that most of you are having are a simple case of you not doing your research before committing to a school. I looked into many schools and spoke in depth with them as well as other students before deciding on Kaplan. Every school has their issues. The question is, are those issues going to impede your progress? For me, the issues at Kaplan have not. I have had concerns about specific instructors, some course material, and even a change in me SA however, none of these things have made me stumble in my quest for an education. I am sorry that those of you that have had an issue have not gotten it resolved but, to demonize an institution because that institution did not work for you, is not fair to all those it did and is helping. I wish you all luck in your journeys.

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Mari1313
Manchester, US
Nov 10, 2010 4:14 pm EST

All this time I have been thinking that I was the only one having issues with Kaplan. I am so disappointed with them. They think that it is o.k. to take all of these monies from banks, the government and those of us who paid even one cent toward a degree that never came. I have had a bad experience with them also. It began when my academic advisor suggested that I take a leave of absence since supposedly I had missed the deadline for my externship. It seems something or another was missing. Needless to say I signed and faxed the form to her, which by the way she did not send the first time. I contacted her the very next day and told her that I didn't get it. "Oh really, wonder what happened, I will send you another". I signed and faxed the form to her the very same day. Guess what people. Without my consent she withdrew me because apparently "it was too late to file for a leave of absence" When I received a letter from kaplan stating that they "were sorry about my decision to withdraw" and "should I ever wish to continue my studies" I should "they would be happy to help me". WHAT?!?! Called the academic advisor she said that she tried to contact me. Yeah, right. She put me in touch with another person at the office of returning students who had me write an essay as to why I wanted to return along with having me go to another web site for another loan. WOW. That was back in April of this year. He said that he would get back to me when he found out what term I would be starting in. Since then I have not only called, but also emailed him - he does not respond, not even out of courtesy to say I got your email or I got your phone message. Last month I finally was able to reach another representative who wants me to pay an application fee and sign off on a new program plan, AS THOUGH I NEVER TOOK AND PASSED ANY OF THEIR COURSES! Are you kidding me? I want to know what the heck they are thinking. Do they seriously think that "Uh ok, I will take all of these courses over again and rack up more debt as I stress myself and family with endless study hours." I also worked full-time and had to deal with family issues as we all do, but I never quit. I now owe loans for but no degree. Lovely isn't it.

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Maria3333
Bradford, US
Nov 09, 2010 10:30 pm EST

I am in desperate need of help. I am going through many of the same issues mention on the above posts. My email is mcaba1970@yahoo, I would greatly appreciate any feedback because I'm in debt $ 11, 000 and cannot pay it back. Was promised no out of pocket expenses, a degree, etc.

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lvin life
Westallis, US
Sep 13, 2010 9:54 pm EDT

I'm in my 8th term at Kaplan. I have not had any problems so far. There is a wait to talk to someone from FA but I have always gotten a response. My academic advisor calls me within a few days of my emailing him. So far they have done everything they said they were going to . I started my clincals for medical assistant, and the first round went great. The clinic I did my first round at had nothing but good to say about Kaplan, and had already hired a graduated Kaplan student. I only have 2 terms left, so I guess I'll see what happens after graduation, but I have confidence I will find a job once I'm done. I am just curious if any of these people have gone to a campus school? My experience here is exactly the same as I had at the University here, except I get to go to class when I want, from home. I do not see how a school can fake the FASFA process etc, when it is all government monitored.

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etaylor89
, US
Aug 19, 2010 8:02 pm EDT
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I am going through the same thing. First off, when I first started talking to an Advisor my house was broken into and my laptop (the only computer I had) was stolen. I was then told that I'd never be able to attend if I didn't enroll then and there. I should have known better. I told them fine I won't do it. Then my advisor apologized and said she worked it out to where I can enroll at a different time. I was so excited to be able to go back to school with my lifestyle. I was told that I'd never have any out of pocket expenses either. I did everything I needed to and got into classes. A week after I started by first 2 classes I received a phone call saying that I owed almost $800. I asked why I am being charged for something I was told I didn't have to pay. I then called my advisor and it took the longest for her to call me back. When I finally was able to talk to her, she was all "oh they didn't tell you?" I then informed her that if I would have been told this I never would have agreed. Every document I was showed told me I didn't owe anything. Now they are trying to collect from me. I withdrew the same day, a week after I started school. They waited long enough to where I couldn't drop or add anything. In July, I only owed $986 after everything. Well a week after I was informed that my loan was refunded back to my lender without me knowing and now I owe $2800. They keep telling me that I have to make a payment plan, and it has to be a fixed amount. I can't make the payments because I am already paying on 2 other school loans. They don't listen. I am getting numerous amounts of calls everyday. It's always a different person telling me the same thing. One day I had to inform a woman that I already spoke to them and talked it out. Well now I was able to go online and see what I am being charged. For some reason it now says $4, 000. I then saw where I could make a payment without it having to be fixed. I also saw to where I could make whatever payment for however long I need. I now see how they operate. Tonight when I get off work I am calling student accounts and informing them of everything I know. And they are going to have to take my deal or else they will always be owed something because I can't pay it. They have met one perso who is not going down without a fight. I still can't believe that they are doing this to people. Is there not a way to shut them down?

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askthestreetsaboutme
Dallas, US
Aug 16, 2010 1:07 pm EDT

I am a student now at Kaplan. I will not leave you with what has gone on with me at Kaplan but I will tell you this, I'm going to bring those MotherF*ckers down and I'm almost there. I have some info I would like to send to anyone who is interested in a class action suit. I am currently in contact with an attorney who is educating students on the tactics of these online Universities. FYI: Kaplan University "states" that they do not get a commission for enrolling you but they do. The more students that they enroll the more their salary goes up. What you pay for online tuition vs. going to a community college is $1, 000 less. Is anyone on the Dean's List? Making straight A's every term? Having major problems with the financial aid department? Did you know that Kaplan is not an Accredited University? That means that your diploma is not worth the paper it is written on and if you think you're going to find that dream job, it's not going to happen. I found this information out by my attorney.

Well in order for them to keep enrolling students and taking their grants and loan money they have to make it look like you are passing with flying colors because if people start failing they drop out and then Kaplan can't get anymore money from their lender. This is only .1% of what I have to say but, anyone who wants information on what they need to do to make these schools stop taking advantage of students trying to better their lives, Email me at askthestreetsaboutme@yahoo.com. In the subject field write, "Class Action Suit". I will in return email you the information that you will need. I am very skeptical about who I send this info to so I will ask questions first, and wait for your response before I send the info. The more people we can get this info out to the quicker and more successful we can be as a people to bring these universities down. So, find as many people as you can to send me an email.

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Kaplancollege
Silsbee, US
Jun 10, 2010 10:32 am EDT

My thing is that the campus in Texas is like going to high school or even an elemetary school. They ask if you want a hall pass to get into class and the last I knew I was an adult. I personally feel like this school is going to fold and then we are all left to pay this outstanding school bill without a degree to show for it. This place to me is not a school but it is a business for the higher up people. I just hope that I am able to get my degree before Kaplan does go completely out of business...

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Ashley Noor
Sunrise, US
May 29, 2010 3:49 pm EDT

Kaplan's financial aid department is the worst. I have been there almost four years. I have seen the financial aid deparment everyone there looks like there from Compton. They must have requirements of being from the hood with gold teeth, fake hair, and tatoos on their face.
Every other deparment runs smoothly. If you are not enrolled I would NOT advice in doing so unless you are paying in full and not dealing with their fiancial department. I left 2 voicemails for the lazy fa managers and nobody called me back. Everyone who works in their FA dept either dosen't speak English, straight ghetto trash, or just plain ignorant (or a combination).

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pattychapelhill
Goodlettsville, US
Apr 06, 2010 3:21 am EDT
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Kaplan University is terrible,
Instructors do not answer emails with questions regarding projects, seminars, explanations..ANYTHING during the whole term.

Customer service are terrible!, academic advising department treat with ZERO respect, make fun of you on the phone, and with "sarcastic comments".

I wam in the middle of a class... trying to drop Kaplan but once y ou there... you are stuck in this terrible institution.! All I got out of Kaplan is bills, no degree just the bigest mistake I ever made.

Kapaln should be out of business, they want your money and could care less if you get a degree.

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JBoyer7
Princeville, US
Mar 09, 2010 5:06 pm EST

I am researching some lawyers to file a classaction lawsuit against Kaplan. If anyone would like to join please email me at JESSICALBOYER@YAHOO.COM. I am fed up with the corruption! In order to file a class action suit, I need people who are serious about this that want justice just as much as I do. I can't file a class action without more people. Thanks.

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I hate Kaplan
Williamstown, US
Jan 28, 2010 7:55 am EST

The situation that I have with Kaplan University, is that they owe me money that they will not pay. For the past three terms now my account is sitting with credits that are not forwarding over, and are not being stipened back to me as they state. I am told over and over that they have it scheduled to be released, or that they are going to manual batch process it, but still NOTHING. Like everyone else I never get responses from their financial aid department, or my advisor. Never receive return emails, never receive voicemails, or when I do speak to someone else in the department that says they are working on it that they will call me back so they don't leave me on hold for another 2 hours back and forth, they DON"T return phone calls. When you call back, no one seems to know anything. My financial aid advisor when finally speaking tried telling me many different stories. I caught her in the lies as I have screen captures that show my credits carrying over, but in trying to fix they end up just sitting there and not transferring over to the next term. I have confirmation emails that others were working on the situation saying funds were set up to be released back to myself. But again NOTHING. In the mean time when I call my financial aid ledger has a patchwork of an entire year of student loans and grants posting and not posting. I have letters from my loan company stating when the money was released to the school. Upon calling the school out on this immediatley loans In January of 2010 finally posted to a July 2009 term magically. But what do they say? You have no missing money that hasn't been posted. Idiots, read the dates you just posted it as we were speaking. I understand financial aid quite well as this is not my first time in school. I just want to know how they can get away with the crap they are pulling. I'm so happy to hear that I am not the only person that has had issues with this financial aid department. Everything about them says RED FLAG, Fruad, and Theft.

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NewMexicoBelle
Rio Rancho, US
Dec 03, 2009 1:41 am EST

I just completed my Associates in Paralegal Studies with Kaplan University and for the first year and a half everything went well. I was an A and B student until my Algebra teacher became unresponsive to my emails for assistance and I eventually failed that course. I was told by my Academic Advisor, Shannon Watson that I could retake the classes and not be charged but lo and behold they charged me again and now want me to pay $3500 that I should not owe. My 2 classes didn't even cost that much and no one can explain why I still have a balance, not even the Financial Aid rep I spoke to. My account ledger on their website makes little to no sense and shows that I have a zero balance. I was told from the beginning by my Admissions Advisor that my entire program would be covered by grants and loans. I wish I would have checked into this so called University a little more before signing anything. I now owe thousands in student loans and I can't even reach anyone in Financial Aid or Academic Advising to try to get any type of resolution. When someone from the school does call, it is Student Accounts (who call 2-3 times a day as late as 830pm) and they don't care about my issue. When I got a call the other day from Academic Advising-surprise, surprise it was a new person I've never dealt with, I told him about my issue and that I would not be returning due to my experience. He didn't even seem to care and simply said ok and hung up! I guess I'm not a valued consumer as far as Kaplan University is concerned. Once they get your money they don't really care about you. DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT ATTEND THIS SO CALLED UNIVERSITY. It will ruin you financially and emotionally. I put 2 years and thousands of dollars into a program and I can't even check my final grades on my last 2 courses because they disabled my account! I don't even know if they are going to give me my degree. What a nightmare. I am going to try to contact my Governor, the Better Business Bureau, Dept. of Education, Attorney General's office, and even write a letter to President Obama to see if I can get any assistance.

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current active and happy student
Winter Park, US
Sep 09, 2009 10:34 am EDT

Most of the education that people are lacking is the Department of Education's platform on transfer credits and FAFSA rules and regulations for Federal Aid.

Regionally accredited schools all have classes elligible for review when it comes to transfer credits... 1st you have to transfer to a similar major at a different University that has the same requirements. Tradional State University students often times end up with way more credits than needed for a degree, but have taken classes outside of the degree requirements. In that case you lose transfer credits because they do not match the new schools required classes within a degree, not because they were not properly accredited.

The Department of Education is the one that establishes Semester schools are 3 and 4 credits, while quarter schools = 5 and 6 for the same class. In a transfer situation they are apples for apples 3 =5 and 5=3. It feels like a loss, but it takes 160-180 credits for a BS in a quarter school and 120-130 in a semester school.

FAFSA schools are so heavily regulated that a school can not change nor would they benefit from changing your EFC. Mistakes made during FAFSA filing and financial guidelines changing from year to year keep your EFC adjustable. Changes in income are only a small part of the equation. The cost of education, family dynamic and FAFSA guideline changes play a part as well.

For the time it takes to make complaints about these things... you could have contacted reputable sites that would have given you the information you need to not let this happen again in the future.

You will end up with a ton of student loans... a hate list of all the schools you attend... and a stack of excuses... but still no degree if you are not careful.

It is not a college's job to do the due dilligence of making sure you understand your rights and qualifications... did you research at all before signing up for $60, 000. Hate sites are free... anonymous andoften times the postings are from competing schools... look at wikipedia, department of Ed, www.chea.org to find out about schools. You can find out about any law suits, etc. All of these hate sites, but you don't file suit raises red flags to me as a TRUE researcher.

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Lynn
Warwick, US
Jun 06, 2009 12:19 am EDT

Don't ever pay them ANY money, guys, ### them. They can never reach me anyways, so i can say i never got any calls from them or bills. Thus they can't prove you ever corresponded with them, I have a background in bankruptcy law, guys so listen to me. I have no assets they can touch, etc. and i could also have them all arrested.

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Lynn
Warwick, US
Jun 06, 2009 12:12 am EDT

I know i'm ditto as far as this complaint goes. They are a ###ed up school, that should be closed down. The FA dept is totally hell, they are dopes, slum-dwellers whatever, and probably comprised of reformed prison inmates, cause that is just what they all sound like to me. And act it as well, like they have a loaded rifle to your head only over the telephone. I will never acknowledge another single piece of garbage paper bill in the mail from them again, I'll just pretend I never knew them in the first place, and as though i no longer exist. If they do try anything, i'll have every single one of them arrested on fraud and indentity thieft charges, long arm statute can make it possible.

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Shawn
Little Rock, US
May 11, 2009 2:22 pm EDT

I was attending Kaplan University online program for one year. When I first enrolled I was promised a $3, 000 scholorship for having my associate degree completed with a 3.5 gpa. Each term I would try to contact Gillian Smith the advisor by leaving voice mail messages and sending email messages. She NEVER replied until after my account was disabled due to over due balance. (Which the scholorship should have covered) Long story short I now have a $4, 000 balance and can not complete my degree which I started. I contiue to send them emails (which I have read receipts) with no responds, but I do get calls from their collection account wanting me to pay this balace left. Which I also told them upfront that being a single parent I could NOT afford any out of pockets payment. I was told my loans & grant would cover everything. UNTURE!
** IF YOU ARE THINKING OF ENROLLING AT THIS SCHOOL DON'T **
They only want the money, they are not concern about people completing their degree!

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SEA
Chambersburg, US
Jan 23, 2009 6:09 pm EST

It has been a nightmare, I loved the classes and enjoyed the professors but the nightmare began when I completed my courses. It should of sent up red flags the first time they called and wanted money but I managed to pay them the $14oo dollars they wanted with out question, then a week before compliting my classes they informed me I owed another $2000, I was upset but reassured that I was finished and no money was owed and I would be able to recieve my transcripts and degree. Weeks later I tried to order my transcripts and was told I had an owed amount. I thengot the run around from financial aid and student accounts, no return calls, no answers, the one excuse I got was that it was because one of my student loans had not paid and that it would be resolved. Now they are holding my transcripts hostage and demanding $7, 000 . I am a single mom of three and working two jobs as it is. I know am at risk of loosing my job because of Kaplan.

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David
,
Nov 07, 2008 6:41 pm EST

I have the same problem they put me in the wrong class and won't refund my money back to my lenders. What did you do and who do you complain to.

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Kimberly
,
Sep 23, 2008 12:48 am EDT

I am somewhat worried now. I have been on disability income and did not want to continue and JUST decided to go back to school, for my bachelors. I am to start on October 15th and had 3 schools total that I was admitted to and were negotiating pro-con's. Things have been a little iffy, and disorganized at times already. Today, I got an email about the Fin-aid wizard that they said I did not complete so they will go on with their plan, when I in fact did PLUS wrapped it up nicely with a bow and confirmed it with the financial advisor. Yes-I am getting red flags already.

I cannot get caught up in this web YOUR SPEAKING OF as I have chosen this school -KAPLAN. but it is not too late, I am not cut-out for exccelerated programs so many on-line colleges offer.
May I please get some input-QUICK !

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Kaplan Student
,
Sep 16, 2008 4:25 pm EDT

If your looking for help in solving your issues with Kaplan university, Come vent on our student forums for free.

www.kaplanforums.com

Come join us even if your experience was not satisfactory. We can help.

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Hellweg
, US
Aug 05, 2017 11:17 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Does anyone know of lawyers that are willing to sue Kaplan? I was refused to reenter my program based on a clinical evaluation of hear-say. I had only two classes to complete. I was going to ask what I had to do to get back into the program, however, I figure they would require too many additional glasses. They claim their policies give them the right to refuse students. I also was told liars during the admission inquiry. Brenda