Berks Technical Institute

To whom it may concern: I have read the complaint filed by [redacted] , a graduate of BTI's Web Design Associates in Specialized Technology Degree I am sorry to hear that [redacted] is not working as a Web Designer Frankly the technology in Web Design has changed significantly since [redacted] left school seven and a half years ago [redacted] was a student at BTI from July to December when he graduated seven and a half years ago I reviewed his file and found the following: Our Career Services Department as not getting cooperation from [redacted] He did not provide his resume to them until November of 2008, only one month prior to graduation Career Services had started to work with finding him a position as early as June When completing the student questionnaire for Career Services to the question, "What are your salary expectations?" [redacted] put $250, The CS Representative Kristen S [redacted] inquires to him why he answered this way the said he just wanted to get the paperwork completedThere is evidence in [redacted] file that we circulated his resume to companies from November to September These communications were sent not just to blind advertisements but directly to employers seeking our graduates There is no evidence that [redacted] stayed in contact with our Career Services Office post graduation They are always available to assist our graduates until they are employedI am concerned that his web design skills likely have become outdated because there has been so much change in the technology We would be happy to assist him with updating his resume and interviewing skill set to see if together we can devise a plan to get him employedI cannot honor [redacted] request for a refund Sincerely, Joseph *R [redacted] Senior Campus Director Berks Technical Institute

Looking closer at your account you have a private alternative loan through [redacted] bank which explains the letters from themThe letter you have from them should have their contact informationThe total amount for that loan is $It was originally a total of $but we refunded $of that loan due to you dropping out of school- We sent them a check for $and they returned it because there was an error onit and we have to reissue it back to them which will happen this weekSo the [redacted] private loan will be $and not the full $When they receive the refund of $this week they will know that you owe $Thanks

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved] Complaint: [redacted] I am rejecting this response because: I can dispute a lot of the following reasons that were provided by the businessFirst off as to the resume being sent to career services in November of We had just learned how to create resumes, and until that point I had none to send themAs for the they started looking for waor for me as early as June is FalseBetween May of and December some one asked if any of the students were interested in UNPAID Internships with different companiesI would have jumped at this, however I was already living on a fixed budget and at the time Gas was expensive! These companies were at best 30+ miles away from both the school and my residence The Career Services people were in little way willing to do much talking to me, as they were always busy with other mattersAs for the salary question on the questionnaire; Yes, I did put down 250,The question was asked as a yearly salary expectationWhen asked I did answer that it was to finish the paper work, as they were bothering me in the middle of classWhich I was already having a hard time completing the work for as it wasTaking the time to fill out a questionnaire when I need to complete projects, you can see where my priority would goThey have said and I quote "There is evidence in [redacted] file that we circulated his resume to companies from November to September These communications were sent not just to blind advertisements but directly to employers seeking our graduates." This is a lieIf this were true, I would have had a few offers for employmentA majority of the calls I received were for jobs that I had applied to myself as part of the one classes' lessonAfter graduating, the only calls I got were again for jobs I applied to out of the news paper.I did make contact with the Career Services people after I graduated, and after I had a string of unsuccessful job interviewsThis was to ask if they could help in finding me somethingAfter that contact, I got two e-mails both of which were for jobs, that I had already applied for previously, and was already denied from for lack of education and or skillOn top of which, I was in contact with another member of the BTI staff, this was in I had a meeting scheduled with them, however due to a mechanical issue with my only mode of transportationI was unable to make the meeting in personI did however ask if we could have the meeting over the phone, but was told that he wanted to get the heads of both the Webdesign and IT departments in on the meeting, and that it had to be in personThis leads me to think that all the meeting was going to be was a way for them to get me to return and waste more money taking another course for something that I would be in the same boat with as I am nowThere is a chance that my skills have become outdated, as they didn't seem to match the current trends at the time of graduationThere is Evidence that I contacted BTI, I wrote on there [redacted] page, and I did send e-mails Regards, [redacted]

To whom it may concern:I have read the complaint filed by *** *** ***, a graduate of BTI's Web Design Associates in Specialized Technology Degree. I am sorry to hear that *** *** is not working as a Web Designer. Frankly the technology in Web Design has changed
significantly since *** *** left school seven and a half years ago. *** *** was a student at BTI from July to December when he graduated seven and a half years ago. I reviewed his file and found the following:Our Career Services Department as not getting cooperation from *** ***. He did not provide his resume to them until November of 2008, only one month prior to graduation. Career Services had started to work with finding him a position as early as June 2008.When completing the student questionnaire for Career Services to the question, "What are your salary expectations?" *** *** put $250,000. The CS Representative Kristen S*** inquires to him why he answered this way the said he just wanted to get the paperwork completed.There is evidence in *** *** file that we circulated his resume to companies from November to September 2009. These communications were sent not just to blind advertisements but directly to employers seeking our graduates. There is no evidence that *** *** stayed in contact with our Career Services Office post graduation. They are always available to assist our graduates until they are employed.I am concerned that his web design skills likely have become outdated because there has been so much change in the technology. We would be happy to assist him with updating his resume and interviewing skill set to see if together we can devise a plan to get him employed.I cannot honor *** *** request for a refund. Sincerely,Joseph *R***Senior Campus DirectorBerks Technical Institute

May 2nd, Dear ***:I received the letter from BTI, *** *** states that there are no funds owed to BTI- That’s because this is a college program with college loans therefore the two loans that are m involved are:*** *** *** (***)12/24/2009$3668.00We have been paying on this loan @ $a month with a balance of $1270.00*** Student Loans12/24/2009$5454.28BTI over charged us and the loan was for $Then after writing to Revdex.com they refunded $and the balance should have dropped to $4972,(see letter from *** *** (BTI)We have been paying on this loan @ a month with a balance of $How can this be this much?So total school loans were supposed to be $8640.00Now this amount is the amount am disputing, my start date was 4-15-2009, my last day wa8-0-(days of school) when a full 9-months would cost $16,I only went for 3-2/rds months about $if you divide it out.The other problem is when BTI sent the credit of $to *** bank, I don’t think they took that amount off my loan and have been the interest on that high amount

April 22, 2014Dear *** ***,I am providing a written response after the receipt and review of the submitted complaint against Berks Technical InstituteThe stated “desired outcome was “settlement” Berks Technical Institute’s (BTI) response is outlined in the paragraphs
below.While we are dismayed to hear about your experience here at BTI we currently cannot appease your desired settlement regarding your balance of $6,as that money is not owed to Berks Technical InstituteTherefore, we do not have the ability to offer you a settlement.As stated on page of our school catalog;WithdrawalsAll charges and refunds are calculated using the student’s last date of recorded attendanceBerks Technical Institute is required to comply with the state or institution refund policy in determining the amount of unearned tuition.You originally enrolled in Berks Technical Institute on / 15/You then became a drop as of 08/10/which caused you to have a balanceThe balance was $1,074.58, however, payments was made on the account to satisfy that balance(Please see the attached ledger card)There is no money owed to Berks Technical Institute to date.Please note that we pulled the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to find out where the $6,in question is coming from and were unsuccessful in locating the amount you mentioned in your complaintThe National Student Loan Data System (enclosed) is only showing a balance owed in the amount of $563.00.Should you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the number listed below.Kind Regard

*** ***,I have responded to your complaint on two occasions and provided options for you. I have no other constructive response to provide. We remain available to work with you as outlined

*** ***,
I have responded to your complaint on two occasions and provided options for you. I have no other constructive response to provide. We remain available to work with you as outlined

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the responseIf no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because: Why are you asking me to accept this offer, there is no offer just my paper work I filed for the complanit.Sorry, dont understand, the response should have gone to the company BTI
Regards,
*** ***

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
 Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:I can dispute a lot of the following reasons that were provided by the business.First off as to the resume being sent to career services in November of 2008. We had just learned how to create resumes, and until that point I had none to send them. As for the they started looking for waor for me as early as June 2008 is False. Between May of 2008 and December 2008 some one asked if any of the students were interested in UNPAID Internships with different companies. I would have jumped at this, however I was already living on a fixed budget and at the time Gas was expensive! These companies were at best 30+ miles away from both the school and my residence. The Career Services people were in little way willing to do much talking to me, as they were always busy with other matters.As for the salary question on the questionnaire; Yes, I did put down 250,000. The question was asked as a yearly salary expectation. When asked I did answer that it was to finish the paper work, as they were bothering me in the middle of class. Which I was already having a hard time completing the work for as it was. Taking the time to fill out a questionnaire when I need to complete projects, you can see where my priority would go.They have said and I quote "There is evidence in [redacted] file that we circulated his resume to 7 companies from November 2008 to September 2009.  These communications were sent not just to blind advertisements but directly to employers seeking our graduates." This is a lie. If this were true, I would have had a few offers for employment. A majority of the calls I received were for jobs that I had applied to myself as part of the one classes' lesson. After graduating, the only calls I got were again for jobs I applied to out of the news paper.
I did make contact with the Career Services people after I graduated, and after I had a string of unsuccessful job interviews. This was to ask if they could help in finding me something. After that contact, I got two e-mails both of which were for jobs, that I had already applied for previously, and was already denied from for lack of education and or skill.On top of which, I was in contact with another member of the BTI staff, this was in 2012. I had a meeting scheduled with them, however due to a mechanical issue with my only mode of transportation. I was unable to make the meeting in person. I did however ask if we could have the meeting over the phone, but was told that he wanted to get the heads of both the Webdesign and IT departments in on the meeting, and that it had to be in person. This leads me to think that all the meeting was going to be was a way for them to get me to return and waste more money taking another course for something that I would be in the same boat with as I am now.There is a chance that my skills have become outdated, as they didn't seem to match the current trends at the time of graduation. There is Evidence that I contacted BTI, I wrote on there [redacted] page, and I did send e-mails.
Regards,
[redacted]

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
 Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:
I contacted Mr W[redacted] in 2012, and was suppose to have a meeting with him. I was unable to make it then due to car trouble, and asked if we could have a phone meeting instead. I was told that he wanted the heads of the webdesign and IT departments in on the meeting. After I managed to get the problem fixed, I was unable to contact him anymore.I have proof of this contact and am including it (spelling errors and all just as it was sent), along with the post I made to your Facebook page.I did contact BTI's career services between 2009-2010. As for returning to the school to discuss this matter, I no longer have a mode of transportation, nor do I have the means to pay for the fuel even if I did. I have been selling everything I own to help try and pay off my loans, and keep my head above water. sadly this has failed.As far as the refund goes, at this point I just want you to know that your school has FAILED! and I sadly am the proof of it.I am going to have my student loan debt from going to your school until the day I die, and will never be able to pay it off. I will never be able to find a job in my field of study or any computer field as when I put that I went to Berks Technical Institute I get nowhere. Yet if I keep it off, I am then providing false information on an application.So once again I am rejecting this due to the fact that I have no way to come up there, nor do I have the means (financially) to come up there.  
Regards,
[redacted]

Hi [redacted] -  
Our enrollment agreement that we require all of our students
to sign states that “the student understands online classes may be required to
graduate” on page 2.  While we make every attempt to offer as many courses
as possible on-ground, there are terms when...

certain sections of a course are
only offered online.  The transferability of credits is up to the
receiving institution.  While we do have articulation agreements in place
with certain local institutions, many students have been successful in
transferring credits to a variety of schools in order to continue their
education.  Please reach out to the Registrar’s Office or your Program
Director for more information about transferring credits.  At the
beginning at the Spring 2015 term, all computers in the library were evaluated
and were fully functioning.  While there are times when copiers or
printers break, we make every effort to have them serviced as quickly as
possible.  Tutoring is available through our Student Services
Office.  We have upheld the requirements of the enrollment agreement
and catalog and will not issue a refund based on your complaint.  We are
sorry that you have been unhappy with the services you have received since
starting your program in January 2014, and we encourage you to reach out to
your Program Director, Carmella H[redacted] and/or the Director of Education,
Elizabeth V[redacted], to discuss your complaints and see if a resolution can be
reached.  Thank you.  Sincerely,Elizabeth V[redacted]

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
 Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:
I contacted Mr W[redacted] in 2012, and was suppose to have a meeting with him. I was unable to make it then due to car trouble, and asked if we could have a phone meeting instead. I was told that he wanted the heads of the webdesign and IT departments in on the meeting. After I managed to get the problem fixed, I was unable to contact him anymore.
I have proof of this contact and am including it (spelling errors and all just as it was sent), along with the post I made to your Facebook page.
I did contact BTI's career services between 2009-2010. 
As for returning to the school to discuss this matter, I no longer have a mode of transportation, nor do I have the means to pay for the fuel even if I did. I have been selling everything I own to help try and pay off my loans, and keep my head above water. sadly this has failed.
As far as the refund goes, at this point I just want you to know that your school has FAILED! and I sadly am the proof of it.
I am going to have my student loan debt from going to your school until the day I die, and will never be able to pay it off. I will never be able to find a job in my field of study or any computer field as when I put that I went to Berks Technical Institute I get nowhere. Yet if I keep it off, I am then providing false information on an application.
So once again I am rejecting this due to the fact that I have no way to come up there, nor do I have the means (financially) to come up there.  
Regards,
[redacted]

To whom it may concern:
I have read the complaint filed by [redacted], a graduate of BTI's Web Design Associates in Specialized Technology Degree.  I am sorry to hear that [redacted] is not working as a Web Designer.  Frankly the technology in Web Design has...

changed significantly since [redacted] left school seven and a half years ago.  [redacted] was a student at BTI from July 2007 to December 2008 when he graduated seven and a half years ago.  I reviewed his file and found the following:
Our Career Services Department as not getting cooperation from [redacted].  He did not provide his resume to them until November of 2008, only one month prior to graduation.   Career Services had started to work with finding him a position as early as June 2008.
When completing the student questionnaire for Career Services to the  question, "What are your salary expectations?"  [redacted] put $250,000.   The CS Representative Kristen S[redacted] inquires to him why he answered this way the said he just wanted to get the paperwork completed.
There is evidence in [redacted] file that we circulated his resume to 7 companies from November 2008 to September 2009.  These communications were sent not just to blind advertisements but directly to employers seeking our graduates. 
There is no evidence that [redacted] stayed in contact with our Career Services Office post graduation.   They are always available to assist our graduates until they are employed.
I am concerned that his web design skills likely have become outdated because there has been so much change in the technology.  We would be happy to assist him with updating his resume and interviewing skill set to see if together we can devise a plan to get him employed.
I cannot honor [redacted] request for a refund.  
Sincerely,
Joseph *. R[redacted]
Senior Campus Director
Berks Technical Institute

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]
 Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:
I can dispute a lot of the following reasons that were provided by the business.
First off as to the resume being sent to career services in November of 2008. We had just learned how to create resumes, and until that point I had none to send them. As for the they started looking for waor for me as early as June 2008 is False. Between May of 2008 and December 2008 some one asked if any of the students were interested in UNPAID Internships with different companies. I would have jumped at this, however I was already living on a fixed budget and at the time Gas was expensive! These companies were at best 30+ miles away from both the school and my residence. 
The Career Services people were in little way willing to do much talking to me, as they were always busy with other matters.
As for the salary question on the questionnaire; Yes, I did put down 250,000. The question was asked as a yearly salary expectation. When asked I did answer that it was to finish the paper work, as they were bothering me in the middle of class. Which I was already having a hard time completing the work for as it was. Taking the time to fill out a questionnaire when I need to complete projects, you can see where my priority would go.
They have said and I quote "There is evidence in [redacted] file that we circulated his resume to 7 companies from November 2008 to September 2009.  These communications were sent not just to blind advertisements but directly to employers seeking our graduates." This is a lie. If this were true, I would have had a few offers for employment. A majority of the calls I received were for jobs that I had applied to myself as part of the one classes' lesson. After graduating, the only calls I got were again for jobs I applied to out of the news paper.I did make contact with the Career Services people after I graduated, and after I had a string of unsuccessful job interviews. This was to ask if they could help in finding me something. After that contact, I got two e-mails both of which were for jobs, that I had already applied for previously, and was already denied from for lack of education and or skill.
On top of which, I was in contact with another member of the BTI staff, this was in 2012. I had a meeting scheduled with them, however due to a mechanical issue with my only mode of transportation. I was unable to make the meeting in person. I did however ask if we could have the meeting over the phone, but was told that he wanted to get the heads of both the Webdesign and IT departments in on the meeting, and that it had to be in person. This leads me to think that all the meeting was going to be was a way for them to get me to return and waste more money taking another course for something that I would be in the same boat with as I am now.
There is a chance that my skills have become outdated, as they didn't seem to match the current trends at the time of graduation. There is Evidence that I contacted BTI, I wrote on there [redacted] page, and I did send e-mails.
Regards,
[redacted]

Looking closer at your account you have a private alternative loan through [redacted] bank which explains the letters from them. The letter you have from them should have their contact information. The total amount for that loan is $4972. It was originally a total of $7458 but we refunded $2486 of that loan due to you dropping out of school- We sent them a check for $2486 and they returned it because there was an error on. it and we have to reissue it back to them which will happen this week. So the [redacted] private loan will be $4972 and not the full $7458. When they receive the refund of $2486 this week they will know that you owe $4972. Thanks.

Review: After high school I wanted to continue my education in auto cad drawings (drafting), I had taken 3 years of vo-tech any was very good at using and learning how to use the auto cad system and also received a certificate of completion of the drafting course and graduated in 2008. In 2009 I went to Berks Technical Institute to further my education, We went and talked with them and everything sounded very very good. After the 1st semester it was like I was back in the 1st year of class from high school & I told them about it and there was nothing they could do, I went 2 or 3 more weeks into the 2nd semester and dropped out, I knew more than the teacher of our class. Needless to say I feel they have done me wrong because I have been paying loans back that I never should have been charged for, still paying with a $6000.00 balance 5 years later. I feel if you match the education I received from and high school with the education the 1st year of Berks technical institute that it would be very much the same and worthless to pay all that money for.Desired Settlement: I feel I have been abused by the sales tactic's of the Berks Technical Institute school and way over charged for something I had already learned in votech

Business

Response:

April 22, 2014Dear [redacted],I am providing a written response after the receipt and review of the submitted complaint against Berks Technical Institute. The stated “desired outcome was “settlement” Berks Technical Institute’s (BTI) response is outlined in the paragraphs below.While we are dismayed to hear about your experience here at BTI we currently cannot appease your desired settlement regarding your balance of $6,000 as that money is not owed to Berks Technical Institute. Therefore, we do not have the ability to offer you a settlement.As stated on page 12 of our school catalog;WithdrawalsAll charges and refunds are calculated using the student’s last date of recorded attendance. Berks Technical Institute is required to comply with the state or institution refund policy in determining the amount of unearned tuition.You originally enrolled in Berks Technical Institute on 04 / 15/2009. You then became a drop as of 08/10/2009 which caused you to have a balance. The balance was $1,074.58, however, payments was made on the account to satisfy that balance. (Please see the attached ledger card). There is no money owed to Berks Technical Institute to date.Please note that we pulled the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to find out where the $6,000 in question is coming from and were unsuccessful in locating the amount you mentioned in your complaint. The National Student Loan Data System (enclosed) is only showing a balance owed in the amount of $563.00.Should you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the number listed below.Kind Regard

Consumer

Response:

May 2nd, 2014Dear [redacted]:I received the letter from BTI, [redacted] states that there are no funds owed to BTI- That’s because this is a college program with college loans therefore the two loans that are m involved are:[redacted] ([redacted])12/24/2009$3668.00We have been paying on this loan @ $50.00 a month with a balance of $1270.00[redacted] Student Loans12/24/2009$5454.28BTI over charged us and the loan was for $7458.00 Then after writing to Revdex.com they refunded $2486.00 and the balance should have dropped to $4972,00 (see letter from [redacted] (BTI)We have been paying on this loan @ 67.56 a month with a balance of $5155.05 How can this be this much?So total school loans were supposed to be $8640.00Now this amount is the amount 1 am disputing, my start date was 4-15-2009, my last day wa5 8-4 0-2009 (115 days of school) when a full 9-months would cost $16,000.00 I only went for 3-2/3 rds months about $5300.00 if you divide it out.The other problem is when BTI sent the credit of $2486 to [redacted] bank, I don’t think they took that amount off my loan and have been the interest on that high amount.

Business

Response:

Looking closer at your account you have a private alternative loan through [redacted] bank which explains the letters from them. The letter you have from them should have their contact information. The total amount for that loan is $4972. It was originally a total of $7458 but we refunded $2486 of that loan due to you dropping out of school- We sent them a check for $2486 and they returned it because there was an error on. it and we have to reissue it back to them which will happen this week. So the [redacted] private loan will be $4972 and not the full $7458. When they receive the refund of $2486 this week they will know that you owe $4972. Thanks.

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because: Why are you asking me to accept this offer, there is no offer just my paper work I filed for the complanit.Sorry, dont understand, the response should have gone to the company BTI

Regards,