I got hoodwinked by the college I went to. How do I get some money back?

Question

I went to AIU (American Intercontinental Univ) for a BS in info technology. I specifically told them I wanted to be a database programmer.During the program, there was only 1 course covering this and I tried to contact my counselor. Lots of things went wrong while I was there, too many to say here. What it comes down to, is they put me in the only program they had at the time: computer networking, which I'm no good at (though I made all A's during courses). This education didn't give me what they said it would,and now my parents and I are stuck paying $30,000 for nothing. I'm doing the same job I did before I blew money (loans) and time at AIU. Anyone know any ways to go about getting some money back? I've written local problem solvers on TV, as well as the state atty gen, who AIU lied to and said they'd made offers to me (all they offered were 2 free classes!). I know education doesn't guarantee you a job, but it's supposed to give you the tools to be able to do one and they didn't

starting over: they don't have a course or program catalog. They sell degrees as entire programs and you don't choose your classes. I told them what I wanted and they said then this is the program you go in.

I did do my research! It's a completely online college, accredited by SACS. There's no catalogs, and I did compare their prices and times with other online schools. I spent 3 months choosing before I picked them. You can't 'unenroll'. Once you sign up for the program you are entitled to pay the ENTIRE $30,000 tuition, and you don't sign up for classes, you sign up for the degree program.

Answerkeeper - there was no backing out within 6 weeks, once you start, you're in for the entire 11 month program. As for the A's I made, I made them b/c I did all the work & know how to b-s my way through essay questions, which, oddly enough, is ALL That we were graded on. ESSAY QUESTIONS! For an information technology degree! I tried to tell them early on I thought something wasn't right and no one would listen to me or help me.

Answer 1

Check your contract you signed with the institution ask for a copy of it from them. See an attorney!!! AIU is on probation with its accrediting agency. Ask the local media to help you. Career education corporation which owns AIU is working to clear up regulatory issues. Do a Career Education Corporation and AIU searches. There might be information related to the company and the corporations problems.

I hope this helps

Answer 2

Trust me I went through something similar at my tech school.. I would get everything in writing if I were doing this again.. I lucked out.. I got my school running scared because I found out that as an older adult I was charged more and I also did not get what was promised.. I scared them with the fact that I had been taping stuff in the class and out... and they knew I had the goods on them.. so it ended up that I got out with 6 months of classes for about 1,500.00 instead of the 30,000.00 I was supposed to pay and that was almost 5 years ago...I would put a car sign on my car and write in big letters.... I went to AIU "and in my opinion"... very important to add that part then continue with "I feel that I did not get what I signed up for... " I think we are allowed to have an opinion... just don't say anything like they cheated me or call them anything.. make it a simple statement.. and drive up and down the street several times a day.... especially when they are having their usual push to fill class spaces... you might want to speak to a Atty about this also.. you might have a case if you can show where you thought you were getting one type of class and got a different.. and obviously the school must have known it because they ended up offering you some extra classes... so that should so the Atty that something was not right... Good Luck... :)

Answer 3

You should have unenrolled when you found they did not offer the classes you wanted, You would have been refunded then. Instead you stayed got an education one you think you can't do but obviously can if you completed with all A's. You got what you paid for a highly skilled info tech degree education. They wont give you money back since you completed the course work.

If I take my car for an oil change and new tires and instead they wanted to change my oil filter tune up the car and rotate my existing tires I would have walked away with my money and said no thanks.

That is what you should have done within the first 6 weeks of college when you knew you were not going to able to take the courses you wanted and applied for.

Answer 4

I think you're out of luck. It seems like you didn't do all the research you should have before you went into the school, and you just kept on taking classes when you seemed to know they had nothing to do with what you wanted. Why were you listening to the counselors? If I wanted to get a degree in English and they told me I had to take Physics 301 I'd somewhat question that and look into it myself.

Unless you have some specific paperwork that says at the end you would specifically get a degree in Info Technology and it's dated in your first year or something, I think you're gonna have to rightfully pay that 30k.

Answer 5

The best info I can give you is look for an injury lawyer that can help you sue your school for little to no money down. Most likely they will charge you a percentage of what you win from court. Start by looking in a phone book for a lawyer near you.

Answer 6

They must have a catalog, with a list of degree programs and classes they offer. If you saw only one database class, why did you go there thinking it would change.

Did you look at other colleges and compare programs?

Sorry, you did not do your homework.

Answer 7

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