University of Phoenix Financial Aid Negligence/ Fraud

[alexisdyde]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida


I have been attending the University of Phoenix since the end of 2008. In January of this year the school notified me that they needed extra documents to file for my financial aid. I sent them the documents. I was then told I filed incorrectly on my 2008 taxes, being told I file single, which I did not. Later a supervisor realized that this was untrue. I sent them the same documents many many many times and yet they kept asking for them again and again. I sent them my tax transcripts and was assured that that would get the financial aid filed. It did not. I was contacted by them again last week asking for the documents, again. They said I was not entitled to financial aid because my husband earned too much money in 2008 (I had already received financial aid for that fiscal year). I explained, for the hundredth time that he is a British citizen and that money was earned in Britain therefore was not to be counted. I spoke with them again today and was informed that the balance that I have of $5000 I am responsible for because I missed the July deadline for financial aid. This is due to them not filing it on time despite having the correct documentation. Not only that, I was never notified that I missed the deadline and they continued to enroll me in classes, assuring me the financial aid issue would be resolved and allowing me to accrue more debt with them. I am seeking legal counsel for this because not only are they attempting to collect money I should not owe them, they are also holding my transcripts for the last two years of schoolwork hostage. I am unable to continue my education at any institution because of their negligence. Please advise.

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida


I have been attending the University of Phoenix since the end of 2008. In January of this year the school notified me that they needed extra documents to file for my financial aid. I sent them the documents. I was then told I filed incorrectly on my 2008 taxes, being told I file single, which I did not. Later a supervisor realized that this was untrue. I sent them the same documents many many many times and yet they kept asking for them again and again. I sent them my tax transcripts and was assured that that would get the financial aid filed. It did not. I was contacted by them again last week asking for the documents, again. They said I was not entitled to financial aid because my husband earned too much money in 2008 (I had already received financial aid for that fiscal year). I explained, for the hundredth time that he is a British citizen and that money was earned in Britain therefore was not to be counted. I spoke with them again today and was informed that the balance that I have of $5000 I am responsible for because I missed the July deadline for financial aid. This is due to them not filing it on time despite having the correct documentation. Not only that, I was never notified that I missed the deadline and they continued to enroll me in classes, assuring me the financial aid issue would be resolved and allowing me to accrue more debt with them. I am seeking legal counsel for this because not only are they attempting to collect money I should not owe them, they are also holding my transcripts for the last two years of schoolwork hostage. I am unable to continue my education at any institution because of their negligence. Please advise.

Well, you actually didn't ask a question...

Did you attend the classes? If so, then you ARE responsible for payment.

 

[alexisdyde]

re

I was entitled to Financial Aid. The government was supposed to pay for my classes, but they failed to file the paperwork, all the while assuring me that everything would be covered but now they want the money from me since they missed the deadline. They lost paperwork, misrepresented the situation, and failed to file on time as well as misinforming me and continuing to enroll me in classes after the deadline. How does that make me responsible for payment to them? They knew that I needed the financial aid to pay for classes.

 

[ecmst12]

Why didn't YOU file the necessary paperwork? You fill out the FAFSA yourself.

 

[Antigone*]

I was entitled to Financial Aid. The government was supposed to pay for my classes, but they failed to file the paperwork, all the while assuring me that everything would be covered but now they want the money from me since they missed the deadline. They lost paperwork, misrepresented the situation, and failed to file on time as well as misinforming me and continuing to enroll me in classes after the deadline. How does that make me responsible for payment to them? They knew that I needed the financial aid to pay for classes.

I'm sorry but until you had everything in order "the government" was not supposed to pay for anything.

If you took the classes you need to pay for them.

 

[alexisdyde]

I dont know why you people are so snarky. I DID fill out a FAFSA, In January. They have not done what they were supposed to on their end so the deadline was missed. I did everything in my power, INCLUDING FILLING IN A FAFSA.

 

[Zigner]

I dont know why you people are so snarky. I DID fill out a FAFSA, In January. They have not done what they were supposed to on their end so the deadline was missed. I did everything in my power, INCLUDING FILLING IN A FAFSA.

YOU are responsible to pay for the classes. If YOU didn't have funding secured, then YOU should not have enrolled in additional classes. Since YOU took the classes, YOU owe the money.

 

[Humusluvr]

I was entitled to Financial Aid. The government was supposed to pay for my classes, but they failed to file the paperwork, all the while assuring me that everything would be covered but now they want the money from me since they missed the deadline. They lost paperwork, misrepresented the situation, and failed to file on time as well as misinforming me and continuing to enroll me in classes after the deadline. How does that make me responsible for payment to them? They knew that I needed the financial aid to pay for classes.

It sounds like you weren't entitled to anything, because your husband was making money. Why did you remain enrolled in the classes if you knew you didn't have financial aide secured yet? Did you complete the classes you were enrolled in? What did they misrepresent?

(PS - it's not snarky to ask questions that you don't want to answer. You're going to find this times a hundred if you follow through on filing against them. I'm going to bet you will have a difficult time finding a lawyer, because they will want a retainer from you, to represent you, and if you lose you will be out a lot of money plus this tuition)