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skydivr7673

hi all, new to the forums. Have a wierd problem and I am looking to see if anyone has any thoughts...

I enrolled in an online college program for a bachelor's degree. This was done in 12/2006. My school was to take place entirely via internet. The first semester went fine, but one week into the second semester, I came across a technical problem that would not allow me to access any of my class assignments. I immediately notified my instructors of the problem, and was directed to the school's tech support office. I called there, spoke to a guy named Andre. Andre was what you call a level one tech support guy...he did not seem to know very much. He ran me through the settings on my computer to ensure that they were correct, which they were. I even tried another computer in the house--my wifes PC, and that one would not log in either. In the end, Andre said he could not do anything more himself, so he would forward my issue to the tier 2 help desk the next morning. Folks, that was in March. I never was contacted by anyone from tier 2. A grand total of seven weeks went by, with me emailing and calling my instructors, then speaking several times with academic support, then speaking with tech support....my instructor even got the dean involved to get a fire under the tech guys, with no results. Last week, I finally did get a call from tech support--guess who? It was Andre again, and he acted like it was the first time I called! he wanted to run through the same settings again and I refused. I told him to get me in touch with tier 2 because he already told me he could not help me. And again that never happened.

The last straw came last week. ACademic support called, for the fourth time in these seven weeks, to inform me that I was in violation of the schools attendance policy.....they were not even aware, even with me telling them the last three times, that I was having this tech problem. Bottom line, I had no choice but to withdraw from the school. The reason is obvious--even today they have no answer for what happened and I had absolutely no way to do any of the required work. So I left. I am now faced with $7500 in student loans for the first semester that they are trying to make me pay. Is there any recourse for such a situation? PLEASE, someone tell me that the laws do not allow a school to take someone's money that easily and offer nothing in return!!

1--the credits I did earn are not transferrable.
2--I cannot enroll in another school this year because this little mess used up some of the available funds for me for this year.
3--I had no other option besides dropping out, because of their negligence and incompetence. When I enrolled, I was promised that tech support would keep me on track if I needed their help, and that is part of the service I agreed to pay for. In any other industry, if you do not provide what you promise, you cannot make the consumer pay for that--is it the same with education?

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 8:43 pm Subject:

Oh...I am so sorry. How awful. I don't know what you can do at this point, I would contact a lawyer, most of them will give you a free phone consultation. I think you may be able to civilly sue them. Good luck, I hope this works out for you.

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 10:00 pm Subject:

You borrowed $7500 for the first semester or both??

Legally your guarantor and your lender will not get involved. You completed the 1st semester with no problem. The second semester you may be able to pursue. I hope you have kept any and all emails/correspondance.

Credits not transfering...this is another matter that a lender will not get involved with. It is the students responsiblity to make sure that credit will transfer.

Online education at some schools is risky. From what I hear, degrees from schools like University of Phoenix are not worth the paper the are written on.
It really comes down to "let the buyer beware.

skydivr7673 · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 10:08 pm Subject:

thats the thing--i was able to access my classes just fine for a semester on the same exact computer. and both computers meet all requirements needed to use their system. I did not try a library comp because of my work schedule--I am literally never home when the library is open. as for emails and documentation, there really isnt anything since the school did not even properly document anything--they listed me as dropped from a class due to violation of attendance policy! I do have a plan to get documentation, however.... Twisted Evil

skydivr7673 · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 10:13 pm Subject:

that amount was for 1 and a half semesters. the remaining money for the second semester was returned.

I know that the credits and such are not the lenders problem, I only mentioned that to show the position this school has put me into. but the semester is not what i contracted with the school for--I contracted with them so they could provide a complete education, and they were totally unwilling or unable to do so.

Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 2:57 am Subject:

I agree with soaplady and finsfan. If you don't have documentation, you may not have a leg to stand on so make sure that you find some way to obtain it. The school will say it was your responsibility to find a working computer with which to do your classes. I think it would be worth a free consultation with an attorney to see what could be done.

skydivr7673 · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 9:45 am Subject:

well, while I can see your point about the school saying that it is my responsibility, there is a problem with that. Actually there are a couple--

1--in my house we have four computers. Take your pick, because none of them allowed me access to ITT classes.

2--the one and only time that tech support ran through everything with me, it was found that the problem was not on my end--it was something with their system that was keeping me from accessing my class work. We checked all of my settings and everything was as it needed to be.

3--while it may be my responsibility to locate a computer to use, I already did that four times over. What about ITT's responsibility to provide timely tech support to its students? This is certainly something the school recruiters go on and on about when trying to get you to enroll. The way I see it, each party had responsibilities that we agreed to...my responsibility was to attend classes and complete the assignments when they were due. I lived up to that as much as they would allow me to. Their responsibility was to provide the support they promised to ensure that I could be successful in my education. They failed here.

I went to naca.net and emailed an attorney but have gotten no response yet. I will keep everyone updated.

Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 9:47 am Subject:

I've got my fingers crossed for you..I hope you can be compensated, what a waste!! Good luck, please let us know, I'm very interested to see how this turns out for you.

Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 4:20 pm Subject:

Have you tried emailing the corporate office of ITT?? Working your way up the chain of command? A consultation with an attorney would be a good thing but also try working thru the school as well. File a complaint with the BBB and maybe even your States AG as well.

skydivr7673 · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 4:30 pm Subject:

yeah, I filed with the BBB this past week, and I was just notified yesterday by mail that my complaint was sent to ITT for their review/response.

I have also been speaking with people at ITT, spoke to the VP of academics this past week among other people. At this point, everyone I speak to tells me that they are sorry for the errors, they have been admitting fault. But I am not foolish enough to think that such admissions will stay the same if this goes to court.

shortblond · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 10:53 pm Subject: internet classes

My first time here, some very valuable information and articles here concerning our everyday problems...I'm sure I'm going to need some advice from someone, sooner than later...
I have a friend in the same situation, but couldn't help her at that time, and we all know the last thing we want to do is have trouble, but I agree, if all else fails to solve the problem, contact a lawyer, they are on your side...and NO ONE likes to hear the words..."i'll have my lawyer contact you". And not everyone can afford a lawyer...
Maybe some of you have or not have heard of "prepaidlegal" .... its worth checking it out and having it for your peace of mind.....when you have a dispute with anyone...you can contact me for the website, at fiskgj at the yello smiley.
Good luck and I hope you win !

Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 8:37 am Subject:

I dont know if you have done any googling, but I googled ITT and complaints. Check out this guys experience. petervanpelt.com/ There are several links with other complaints about ITT.

Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:46 pm Subject: Online Programs

Skydivr: your experience is similar to mine. Four years ago I enrolled in a Masters program with the internet American Intercontintal University (AIU). The way their scam works is: you take 2 classes - back to back per semester. Each class is divided into 6 seperate blocks.

Well, I completed the first entire class with no problems. For the 2nd class, the school didnt send me the course materials I needed! Needless to say, without the materials I couldn't submit a lot of the coursework for the 1st block, and I was given a failing grade. I called one of their "counselors" which were basically telemarketing punks. I demanded a minimum passing grade for the block or the option of starting it over. I was denied.

Long story short...I quit. I paid them for the class I completed but refused to pay for the 2nd one. They claim I signed a promissory note to pay for both classes. They harassed me for a while then stopped. Several months later I received a letter from a collection agency. I sent them a cease communication leteer and never heard back. A couple of weeks ago I started getting calls from General Revenue Corp demanding payment. No letter first, just calls. I sent them a cease communication letter as well. I'll have to wait and see how it goes.

My question for anyone here is: What sort of "proof" should I demand from a collection agency to verify that they are working directly for the loan guarantor or university? Also, if this "loan" has been sold from one collection agency to another, does the current holder of the loan still have the same legal rights as the original guarantor of a student loan?

Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 8:44 pm Subject:

Torchkit....first please be aware that I too am dealing with General Revenue....who in fact when traced back through phone contacts is also Pioneer...who collects for Sallie Mae. Now I just wanted to let you know that.

Now Skydvr....the naca is a huge group of attorneys scattered all across America. Do not wait for a response from an email. They do in fact have a data base on their site where you can locate an Attorney near you and recieve 1 free consultation.

I searched in my state and found an Attorney that specailized in student loans and had an appt. within a week's time. This man gave me well over an hour of his time absolutely free. And, during this consultation I did recieve some very valuable information. As a matter of fact I now have the 3 documents that I need to hopefully get my issue resolved. Now I did not know that the option he informed me of even existed. So please don't wait for an email response. here is the direct link to their database http://www.naca.net/find-consumer-protection-attorneys/ please follow that link and do your search and seek out an Attorney. Good Luck and please keep us informed.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 7:06 pm Subject:

ok, here's a small update for everyone.

I contacted the BBB in Indianapolis, where the school's HQ is. I filed a complaint. The school at first tried to tell the BBB that this complaint was resolved between myself and ITT. It was not. So, I was offered a rebuttal. I just received their response, and it is a flat-out joke. Initially, in March when the tech problem began, I emailed my instructors, and then called tech support. I spoke to a guy named Andre Givens. This took place on 22 March. This is a key piece of information, because the school maintains that this report was never made. They claim that since there is no record of tech support getting a call from me, that it never took place. Because of this, they have decided that they will not honor my demand that they cover the cost of their mistakes.

This is where it gets really good. I now have them by the stones. On 22 March, when I spoke to Andre, I mentioned an error message that I kept getting. He told me that he had never seen it before, and asked me to EMAIL HIM A SCREEN SHOT. I still have that email in my sent folder.....a copy of which was just forwarded to the woman at the Indy BBB office. The school claims that I never reported the problem, except to an instructor. Since I brought up Andre's name specifically in my complaint, he has made a statement that he never spoke to me....he claims that he only left me one voicemail message and that was it. because of his statement, the school dismissed my claim as a lie. Now they will have to face facts. I also mentioned to them that telephone company records are going to be forthcoming, which show the telephone calls being made(I actually called Andre twice that same evening on this matter).

My next move is to take this whole mess to an attorney and see what they can do with it.

Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 7:18 pm Subject:

Well WTG....if you need a little more info. to help you...please check this thread concerning whether it is legal and/or how to record legally any conversations. Then if your state allows such recorded conversations...just contact the school again and record all of their responses. here's the link to some databases to find the laws in your state on if and how to do this. Good Luck...keep up the good fight!

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/settlement/phonecall-laws.html

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