Center for Excellence in Higher Education

The Educational Plan provided by the University is a budget plan used to help students meet their educational expensesThe University does not require a credit check for students to qualify for this payment planAdditionally, the University does not report the activity related to these payment plans to the three major credit bureaus for any students We appreciate Ms [redacted] ’s dedication to her payments to the UniversityIf there is any additional information we can provide to Ms [redacted] related to her account, we would be happy to assist her

We are sorry to hear of Ms [redacted] ’s frustrationMs [redacted] ’s complaint includes the following language, “The school was accredited ” We would first like to clarify that the University was and is still an accredited institutionInformation about the University’s accreditation can be found in the school catalog, on the University’s website (http://www.independence.edu/about-us/accreditation) and on the accreditor’s website, under Directory (www.accsc.org) Regarding Ms [redacted] ’s request for a break from her program, the information provided to her is accurateFor any student needing time away from their program (a break), the University requires the student to withdraw and apply for re-admission at such time that the student is ready to attend classes again Ms [redacted] states in her complaint, “I reached out to someone asking what my options were, I think I emailed someone 2-times and no one ever respondedThey eventually dropped me from classes on 1/21/16.” The last communication the University received from Ms [redacted] prior to her drop was regarding a request to turn in course work past the deadlineThe message from Ms [redacted] was sent 1/21/to one of her instructors, the instructor responded 1/22/2016; Ms [redacted] sent a response that same date to say “Thank you!” The University’s attendance policy is outlined in the school catalog and states the following, “If a student does not post any attendance for consecutive days, he/she will be dropped from school.” This information is stated again under online attendance requirements; “Students who do not post any attendance for consecutive days will be dropped from school.” Ms [redacted] ’s last date of attendance at the University is 1/21/2016, the University dropped Ms [redacted] on 2/4/due to lack of attendance for consecutive days The University contacted Ms [redacted] on several occasions to try to provide assistance and a warning that she was at risk of being dropped due to non-attendanceThe contact attempts by the University include: · 1/29/2016: Email sent, Day on non-attendanceEmail included the following, “Please remember that it is our policy that when you reach consecutive days without participation you are dropped from school for non-attendance.” The Email also included the Academic Advisor’s office phone number and the IU Help line phone number and email address · 2/1/2016: Email sent, Day of non-attendanceEmail included the following, “Please call ASAP to discuss it is easier for us to help you if you communicate your concerns or struggles.” The Student Support line phone number and email address was provided along with the Academic Advisor’s office phone number and IU Help line phone number and email address · 2/2/2016: Voice Message left and Email sent, Day of non-attendance · 2/3/2016: Voice Message left and Email sent, Day of non-attendance · 2/4/2016: Voice Message left and Email sent, Day of non-attendance Ms [redacted] ’s complaint references the amount of tuition she was chargedThe tuition amount for each program is published in the school catalogThe tuition amount for Ms [redacted] ’s program is also listed on her signed Enrollment AgreementMs [redacted] ’s signed an Enrollment Agreement on 6/1/and later decided to transfer programs and signed a second Enrollment Agreement on 7/9/ The University’s Refund Policy can be found in the school catalog and is outlined on page of Ms***’s signed Enrollment AgreementMs [redacted] ’s account was charged according to the tuition and refund policy outlined in her signed Enrollment Agreement and published in the school catalog Regarding transfer of credits from the University, the school catalog and enrollment agreement specifically address thisThe catalog includes the following language in bold font, “ the acceptance of credits is at the sole discretion of the accepting college and our Institution makes no representation whatsoever concerning the transferability of any college credits to any other institutionOur Institution’s credits generally are not transferable to other colleges ” On page of Ms [redacted] ’s signed enrollment agreement, she initialed the paragraph containing the following language, “The University makes no representation whatsoever regarding transferring credits to any other college or universityYou should assume credits are not transferrable unless you have written approval from another school.” In regard to Ms [redacted] ’s transcripts, the school catalog informs students that transcripts will not be released for students with a financial hold on their accountMs [redacted] ’s account indicates that the hold was resolved and official transcripts were mailed on 3/4/to two separate institutions If Ms [redacted] would like to continue her education with the University to complete her degree, the University would be happy to assist her with applying for re-entry

Revdex.com: I am only going to accept to the terms because this is gonna go on like a broken recordThis university is not going to be recommended by my for several reasons im not gonna put on hereI can tell you that since I am not working I have limited ablity of payingSo get that through your headsI will pay as I can and will call someone who will listen and not just automatically think that I have moneyI do have rights as a consumer and student and your policies and business practices suckI have never heard of a business holding up a students progress due to non paymentthis is all im saying for now and I will not accept continuing calls on my cell phoneThank you Sincerely, Aaron C [redacted]

To ensure the University was looking at the appropriate student record, an email was sent to Mr [redacted] to confirm his date of birth and the last four digits of his social security numberMr [redacted] responded with this information and the University confirmed his record The University sent Mr [redacted] a copy of the following documents: Signed Enrollment Agreement from 6/30/enrollment into the Business Management and Accounting, AAS program Signed Enrollment Agreement from 4/20/enrollment into the Business Management and Accounting, AAS program Copy of your Driver’s license with the Date of Birth he confirmed Copy of Social Security Card with the last four digits he confirmed Education Loan documents, signed 4/14/Loan Application, signed 4/14/Loan Promissory Note, signed 4/14/Disclosure Statement, signed 4/14/Copy of check for his most recent payment to Independence University dated 11/14/Check is from: [redacted] , [redacted] Copy of loan ledger, including the history of payments made toward the loan Unofficial transcript showing courses attempted and completed at the University As confirmed through the documents above, Mr [redacted] did attend Independence University and did sign a Promissory Note for his loan through the UniversityAdditionally, he has been making payments toward this loanThe University is charging Mr [redacted] according to the terms of the loan as described on his signed Education Loan document, Loan Application, Loan Promissory Note, and Disclosure StatementIf Mr [redacted] believes there is an error in any of his charges, we will need specific information to respond to that

We are sorry to hear of Ms [redacted] ’s frustration with the billing statements received related to her loan with the University Ms [redacted] is correct that in May 2013, her loan was at a zero balanceDuring the time of Ms [redacted] ’s enrollment, tuition charges were applied to the student’s account every months over the month programThe final tuition charge was applied to Ms [redacted] ’s account at the end of August Ms [redacted] had transferred credits into the program, allowing her to complete the program earlier than the timeframe; this caused the final tuition charge to be placed on her account after her graduation from the program An error did occur where Ms [redacted] ’s account erroneously indicated a zero balanceThis error was corrected on November 11, to accurately reflect the remaining tuition amount owedDue to the miscommunication with Ms [redacted] regarding her final tuition charge and the error on the University’s part on posting and billing the amount owed, the Executive Director of the University has approved to remove the remaining charges owed to the University on Ms [redacted] ’s account to bring it to a zero balanceThis balance reflects that owed the University only, and is not associated with any loans the student may have through Federal Financial Aid We apologize to Ms [redacted] for the error and appreciate the opportunity to correct it

Re: Complaint # [redacted] We are sorry to hear of Ms. [redacted] ’s frustration in getting her name removed from the University’s mailing list. As requested, Ms. [redacted] ’s name has been added to the do not mail list. Additionally, her email address has been added to the do not contact list and her... phone number has been added to the permanent do not call file. The Campus Director of Independence University attempted to contact Ms. [redacted] on August 29, 2016 to confirm these updates. The Campus Director’s call was forwarded to voice mail; he left Ms. [redacted] a detailed voice message regarding this issue and provided her with his direct phone line should she need to contact him with any future questions or issues.

We are sorry to hear of Ms***’ frustrating experience in getting her account correctedThe University’s Business Office Manager has reviewed this account and corrected the laptop chargeMs***’ account now accurately reflects a zero balance with the University