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UMUC review: Fraudulant 1

L
Author of the review
5:56 pm EDT
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After registering for classes in September of 2012, UMUC did not inform me until I called to ask the status of my financial assistance 2 weeks after 1 of my 2 classes had begun that my financial aide was rejected. When I called Student services at UMUC a representative told me that I should have been automatically dis enrolled due to "lack of funding". When I asked if I could use my Veterans benefits, the same representative said "no", it was already after classes had begun. So, I dropped my classes because I could not afford an the expense without assistance. Six weeks later, UMUC (OSA) or office of student collections called me to collect on tuition for 2 classes. I informed "Samiah Page" from UMUC I feel that I was not informed properly and that I am not in arrears with UMUC. She stated, you know our withdrawal policy and threatened to turn me over to the State comptroller department where they would charge me an additional 17% fee to the classes I withdrew from. I explained my scenario to the Deans Office at UMUC who asked the same question I did "why was my financial aide rejected". The Deans Office and OSA department said to write a letter to the registrars office to request assistance and correction of this financial matter. I complied and was turned over to Maryland State anyway. It is now 4 months later and I have already discovered that this same situation has occurred in many Universities across the nation. If anyone has had similar experiences, please e-mail ASAP to [protected]@wamail.net I am very suspect of how UMUC and the state of Maryland are attempting to fraudulently collect on debts.

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L
L
Life-Long Learner
Baltimore, US
Mar 13, 2014 1:55 am EDT

In the spring term, I withdrew from the Graduate School and enrolled in a program in the Undergraduate School. I called the Financial Aid office to ask if I needed to reapply for aid as an undergrad. I was told that my aid had already been calculated, and there was nothing I needed to do.
After my aid did not disburse in January, I called again to inquire. I was told that since one of my classes did not begin until March 17, my aid would not disburse until then because I would then be at half-time status.
This Tuesday, I noticed that my aid still had not disbursed, so I called again. I was told that it would appear on my student account at the end of the day. When it still didn't appear, I called again. That time I was told it would disburse on Thursday.
Frustrated, I called back to speak with a supervisor. I inquired if the problem could be stemming from the fact that I was initially awarded as a grad student. The supervisor told me that my aid would not disburse because I was awarded as a grad student and had to be repackaged as an undergraduate. She expedited my case.
Today I received a past due notice from the Office of Student Accounts. I also just received a notice from the FAO that I had been awarded. However, when I went to my Student Account, no award is listed, and there is an overdue balance.

I began this program after a UMUC representatives gave me incorrect information regarding my financial aid status. Now that I have completed one course, I find out that I must pay for it out-of-pocket. Also, my next course is due to start on Monday, and since I HAD BEEN TOLD BY UMUC REPRESENTATIVES that I was getting financial aid, I have made no other arrangements to pay my tuition.

Also, the supervisor overseeing my case never saw fit to contact me directly to explain the status. Instead, I get an auto-response email at 2AM sending to my Student Account where I notice a bursar hold and no financial aid. This is a completely unacceptable way to treat students and an irresponsible way of conducting business.

Had I known that I was not eligible for financial aid in January (WHEN I ASKED), I probably would not have enrolled in courses at this time. Furthermore, it is ridiculous that I, and not UMUC representatives, had figure out the problem! UMUC basically lied to me about my financial obligations, and now I have a past due account and will have to withdraw from classes. I cannot believe the way they have created such an upsetting situation for me!