Education Affiliates, Incorporated

August 21, 2017Dear [redacted] ***,Please accept this letter as the formal response to Complaint # [redacted] that was filed with your office on Tuesday, August 15, 2017.On February 7, 2017, the Area Director of Financial Aid, MsFatimah B [redacted] spoke to [redacted] via phone regard the stipend overage that was sentAt that time, [redacted] acknowledge that she read the statement that was listed on the check that she received and still cashed the check without contacting Financial AidThe disclosure statement that is on each check issued to a student states the following, "New Federal Regulations-Effective July 1, [redacted] Be aware that the receipt of this check could signal a change in your financial Aid Award Package! The issuance of this check could result in a balance owed for upcoming chargesPlease contact your Financial Aid Office to determine if your financial award package has changed."Our records indicate that on that same day, [redacted] explained she currently was not working but would make payment arrangements [redacted] and MsB [redacted] set a payment arrangement of $monthly until she obtained employmentLater, MsB [redacted] received a voicemail from [redacted] stating that she was now working and could now agree to a higher payment arrangementMsB [redacted] returned her called but had to leave a messageThe message MsB [redacted] left was congratulating her on her new position and that she can speak to Business Office Manager about increasing her payment plan and that MsB [redacted] was available for any additional questions that she may have.It was only at the time in which [redacted] received her graduation information that she became more communicative to the Business OfficeAt no time did the graduate adhere to the payment arrangements that she originally scheduled and therefore, her original past due balance remained the same.On Tuesday, August 15, 2016, [redacted] came to pick up her graduation packIt was at this time that [redacted] was informed that she had a delinquent past due balance on her student account of $1,and that she would need to meet with the Business Office prior to picking up her graduation pack[redacted] was brought to the Business Office Manager and became belligerent to that individual in her office, in which led from the office to the Administrative hallwayDue to her loud tone and the profanity that she was using, I went into the hallway and asked [redacted] to come into my office to discuss her dispositionOnce I brought her into my office, she continued the same behavior, both in tone and profanityAt numerous points, she was requested to lower her voice and to avoid the use of profanity so that I could attempt to understand her dispositionEventually, she became more rationale and we were able to have a productive conversation.It was during this meeting that she acknowledged that a balance existed and that she was to make payments that were in alignment with MsB***'s conversationsextended an alternative plan for her to pay 50% of her current past due balance prior to the graduation ceremony on Friday, August 18, and for her to make monthly payments for the remaining 50%At that time, she stated that she believed that it could be done and she attempted to call her mother while she was in the officeShe was not able to reach her at that time.At the conclusion of the meeting, she apologized for her behavior on several occasions as we departed the officeIt was at this time that we agreed that she would be in contact with the Financial Aid Office/Business Office by Thursday, August 17, to let us know of her payment arrangements.She returned to the office on Wednesday, August 16, and met with MsB***At this time, I was in a meeting with the Admissions Team and MsB [redacted] stated that [redacted] wanted to meet with me in her officeI was informed that both MsBell and [redacted] were able to agree to an alternative method, defined by [redacted] , in which she would make monthly payments and attend the next graduation [redacted] was once again apologetic for her behavior but displayed a much more positive attitude.It is the School's intention to work with the graduate, even when a balance is dueThis is especially true when the Career Services Department is assisting the graduate with employment opportunities and proof of graduation is required by the employerIn my review of the complaint, noted that the student expressed dissatisfaction with the service in the Career Services DepartmentI met with both the Director of Career Services and the Assistant Director or Career Services, MsH***, who works exclusively with the Medical Assisting and Medical Billing and Coding Program Graduates and discovered that the notes listed in [redacted] 's Career Services file show that the MsH [redacted] was actively working with her with Pulmonary Care CenterIt is understood that this activity and working with the graduate on her resume also led to [redacted] securing employment with [redacted] .It is clearly outlined in the Enrollment Agreement and other Admissions disclosures that employment is never guaranteed and that placement assistance is offeredIn this particular review of her account, nothing would lead me to believe that this did not occurIt appears that the graduate was employed quickly after her date of graduation.It appears that many of the items that were disclosed in [redacted] 's original complaint on Tuesday, August 15, were cleared within the meeting that took place the following day with MsB***, as mentioned aboveIt is perceived that the complaint was not withdrawn after [redacted] was able to resolve this issue directly with the Financial Aid Office.We want to ensure that [redacted] 's concerns are addressed and will continue to work with the graduate to ensure that she is able to reduce her outstanding account due to the school.I can be reached directly at [redacted] or by email at [redacted] @allstatecareer.edu if any additional information is needed to help support the information outlined in this response.Additionally, I have completed the Standard Business Questionnaire that was included with the complaint.Best Regards,Edward RArea Campus President

Complaint Details I attended All State Career School from February until January 2017, for the Medical Billing and Coding programWhile attending this school, I NEVER had a certified coder teacher, to teach any of the coding classesI was taught by medical assistants who did not know much about codingBecause All State did not provide qualified teachers, to teach the coding courses, I basically had to teach myself how to code and how to read the reports, which I am still not 100% sure on how to doI can say that the teacher I did have that taught the coding classes, tried her very best to teach it to us and to make us understandIt even frustrated her that we did not have someone in the coding field to teach us that classI applied to this school to be able to code successfully as well as to be able to know how to do medical billingBut majority of my courses where focused on being a medical assistant, which was not my programDespite not being properly taught, I still managed to finish with a GPA, although they did not allow me to walkI also recently found out that my credits are not transferrable, so when go to further my education in Coding, I basically have to start all overThe administration sold me as well as others a dream, in saying we would know how to code and most importantly they will help us find a job, and both are falseI taught myself how to code and found my own jobThey honestly don't care if you really know the information or not, just as long as you get high enough grades (could be a D) to pass on, so that they can have high graduation rates and make themselves look goodMy first two classes that I took, were the only classes that I actually learned in and didn't have to teach myselfI worked extremely hard to get great grades but can't do anything with those creditsLuckily, I was able to find a job due to my determinationNothing against the teachers, but the administration will tell you lies in order for you to sign up, but end up disappointing you in the end I would like for this school to be thoroughly investigated

August 21, 2017Dear [redacted],Please accept this letter as the formal response to Complaint #[redacted] that was filed with your office on Tuesday, August 15, 2017.On February 7, 2017, the Area Director of Financial Aid, Ms. Fatimah B[redacted] spoke to [redacted] via phone regard the stipend overage that...

was sent. At that time, [redacted] acknowledge that she read the statement that was listed on the check that she received and still cashed the check without contacting Financial Aid. The disclosure statement that is on each check issued to a student states the following, "New Federal Regulations-Effective July 1, 2016* Be aware that the receipt of this check could signal a change in your financial Aid Award Package! The issuance of this check could result in a balance owed for upcoming charges. Please contact your Financial Aid Office to determine if your financial award package has changed."Our records indicate that on that same day, [redacted] explained she currently was not working but would make payment arrangements. [redacted] and Ms. B[redacted] set a payment arrangement of $20.00 monthly until she obtained employment. Later, Ms. B[redacted] received a voicemail from [redacted] stating that she was now working and could now agree to a higher payment arrangement. Ms. B[redacted] returned her called but had to leave a message. The message Ms. B[redacted] left was congratulating her on her new position and that she can speak to Business Office Manager about increasing her payment plan and that Ms. B[redacted] was available for any additional questions that she may have.It was only at the time in which [redacted] received her graduation information that she became more communicative to the Business Office. At no time did the graduate adhere to the payment arrangements that she originally scheduled and therefore, her original past due balance remained the same.On Tuesday, August 15, 2016, [redacted] came to pick up her graduation pack. It was at this time that [redacted] was informed that she had a delinquent past due balance on her student account of $1,563.00 and that she would need to meet with the Business Office prior to picking up her graduation pack.[redacted] was brought to the Business Office Manager and became belligerent to that individual in her office, in which led from the office to the Administrative hallway. Due to her loud tone and the profanity that she was using, I went into the hallway and asked [redacted] to come into my office to discuss her disposition. Once I brought her into my office, she continued the same behavior, both in tone and profanity. At numerous points, she was requested to lower her voice and to avoid the use of profanity so that I could attempt to understand her disposition. Eventually, she became more rationale and we were able to have a productive conversation.It was during this meeting that she acknowledged that a balance existed and that she was to make payments that were in alignment with Ms. B[redacted]'s conversations. extended an alternative plan for her to pay 50% of her current past due balance prior to the graduation ceremony on Friday, August 18, 2017 and for her to make monthly payments for the remaining 50%. At that time, she stated that she believed that it could be done and she attempted to call her mother while she was in the office. She was not able to reach her at that time.At the conclusion of the meeting, she apologized for her behavior on several occasions as we departed the office. It was at this time that we agreed that she would be in contact with the Financial Aid Office/Business Office by Thursday, August 17, 2017 to let us know of her payment arrangements.She returned to the office on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 and met with Ms. B[redacted]. At this time, I was in a meeting with the Admissions Team and Ms. B[redacted] stated that [redacted] wanted to meet with me in her office. I was informed that both Ms. Bell and [redacted] were able to agree to an alternative method, defined by [redacted], in which she would make monthly payments and attend the next graduation. [redacted] was once again apologetic for her behavior but displayed a much more positive attitude.It is the School's intention to work with the graduate, even when a balance is due. This is especially true when the Career Services Department is assisting the graduate with employment opportunities and proof of graduation is required by the employer. In my review of the complaint, noted that the student expressed dissatisfaction with the service in the Career Services Department. I met with both the Director of Career Services and the Assistant Director or Career Services, Ms. H[redacted], who works exclusively with the Medical Assisting and Medical Billing and Coding Program Graduates and discovered that the notes listed in [redacted]'s Career Services file show that the Ms. H[redacted] was actively working with her with Pulmonary Care Center. It is understood that this activity and working with the graduate on her resume also led to [redacted] securing employment with [redacted].It is clearly outlined in the Enrollment Agreement and other Admissions disclosures that employment is never guaranteed and that placement assistance is offered. In this particular review of her account, nothing would lead me to believe that this did not occur. It appears that the graduate was employed quickly after her date of graduation.It appears that many of the items that were disclosed in [redacted]'s original complaint on Tuesday, August 15, 2016 were cleared within the meeting that took place the following day with Ms. B[redacted], as mentioned above. It is perceived that the complaint was not withdrawn after [redacted] was able to resolve this issue directly with the Financial Aid Office.We want to ensure that [redacted]'s concerns are addressed and will continue to work with the graduate to ensure that she is able to reduce her outstanding account due to the school.I can be reached directly at [redacted] or by email at [redacted]@allstatecareer.edu if any additional information is needed to help support the information outlined in this response.Additionally, I have completed the Standard Business Questionnaire that was included with the complaint.Best Regards,Edward R. Area Campus President

Complaint Details I attended All State Career School from February 2016 until January 2017, for the Medical Billing and Coding program. While attending this school, I NEVER had a certified coder teacher, to teach any of the coding classes. I was taught by medical assistants who did not know much about coding. Because All State did not provide qualified teachers, to teach the coding courses, I basically had to teach myself how to code and how to read the reports, which I am still not 100% sure on how to do. I can say that the teacher I did have that taught the coding classes, tried her very best to teach it to us and to make us understand. It even frustrated her that we did not have someone in the coding field to teach us that class. I applied to this school to be able to code successfully as well as to be able to know how to do medical billing. But majority of my courses where focused on being a medical assistant, which was not my program. Despite not being properly taught, I still managed to finish with a 4.0 GPA, although they did not allow me to walk. I also recently found out that my credits are not transferrable, so when go to further my education in Coding, I basically have to start all over. The administration sold me as well as others a dream, in saying we would know how to code and most importantly they will help us find a job, and both are false. I taught myself how to code and found my own job. They honestly don't care if you really know the information or not, just as long as you get high enough grades (could be a D) to pass on, so that they can have high graduation rates and make themselves look good. My first two classes that I took, were the only classes that I actually learned in and didn't have to teach myself. I worked extremely hard to get great grades but can't do anything with those credits. Luckily, I was able to find a job due to my determination. Nothing against the teachers, but the administration will tell you lies in order for you to sign up, but end up disappointing you in the end.  I would like for this school to be thoroughly investigated