Student Financial Aid Services, Inc.

Review: On 2/24/14, while trying to reach the FASFA Government website, I was inadvertently redirected to the Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. website. I know they (Student Financial Aid Services) think it is very clear they are not the government website, it wasn't obvious to me at that moment. When I was unable to locate my son's account, I dialed the help number and entered my son's Social Security Number as directed, thinking I was entering it into a governmental website. When I was then connected to a customer service rep by the name of Ashley, she again asked for the SS# and I repeated it to her. Only at the point that she tried to sell me a service did I realize I was not where I thought I was. I had originally typed FASFA.com into my web browser instead of the .gov suffix but had no reason to believe I would be redirected to a private website whose initials are in no way close to FASFA. I feel this is a very deceiving way to redirect potential customers. I called back and spoke with a Ms. [redacted] who stated my son's SS# would not be retained if we did not create an "official account." I would like to receive in writing immediately that my son's SS# has been purged from your system, servers, and anywhere else it may have been stored.Desired Settlement: Although I did not agree to your Terms of Use, I would like written confirmation immediately from Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. that my son's social security number has been purged from your system and that none of our personal information collected, including social security number, name, address, and email address will be retained, sold, traded, or retained or transferred by any other means.

Business

Response:

In Ms. [redacted]’s complaint she indicates privacy concerns regarding information provided to our company.

Our company, Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. is a fee-based advisory and preparation company dedicated to helping America’s families access the most student aid possible to pursue their college goals. As per the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the U.S. government authorizes two options for filing the federal student aid application – preparing and filing the application oneself for free, or filing using the services of a paid FAFSA preparer. While filing a federal student aid form is free on the U.S. Department of Education website, the process is not easy, and the U.S. government has stated the 137 tax, dependency and other financial questions can be more complicated that filing federal income tax forms. For over twenty (20) years, Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. has prepared students' federal aid applications to help them become eligible for the most aid possible. We offer our clients personalized advice, expertise, and easy-to-use Internet utilities to make filing the college financial aid application quick and accurate.

Clients utilizing our FAFSALive™ service speak to our trained Student Aid Advisors, who walk one through a simplified process, typically within 15 to 20 minutes. The application is checked for accuracy, and filed electronically.

Clients also have the option of using our ExpressFAFSA™ service, where they enter their information on our secure website. One of our knowledgeable Student Aid Advisors personally reviews the information using our 450-point FAFSACheck™ error detector and contacts the client to resolve any errors before electronically submitting a FAFSA to the federal processor. Those that file directly to Federal Processor without the use of

our professional assistance do not receive this benefit from the Federal Processor’s website. Other comparisons between our company’s services and one filing a FAFSA on their own is located on our website.

Our company also proudly provides and supports a variety of free FAFSA and college planning services to low income families, including the Access for All program. Eligible individuals from low income families can utilize our services free of charge.

Our records indicate that Ms. [redacted] contacted our company via telephone on February 24, 2014. An account profile with a contact email address was created at that time. To address her concern, our company has deleted her email address from its records. Our company will retain her name on file as a record of her interaction with our company, but as per our company’s posted privacy policy, that information will not be shared or sold.

I have drafted a letter informing Ms. [redacted] of this.

We feel this addresses Ms. [redacted]’s concerns and will be considering this issue closed. Any further concerns she may have may be directed to me via mail correspondence at our company’s posted mailing address.

Sincerely,

Director of Client Relations

Student Financial Aid Services, Inc.

Review: Company appears to be official FAFSA student aid site, but is a fraudulent pay site.

My daughter has spent several days filling out information on what was believed to be an official FAFSA website for student aid applications. We've provided much personal data to this website only to find out that the site is not as we thought. Learned through other people who filed for student aid, that the process does not cost anything. Also discovered multiple articles about the scam sites who prey on college kids and their parents. This fraudulent site charged $79.99. I'm concerned about the personal information these individuals have obtained and now worry about the consequences of identity theft, credit fraud and more.Desired Settlement: Refund money. Erase my personal information from fraudulent database (if that is even possible at this point). Compensate against any future losses related to illegal use of my personal information or identity theft. Prosecute individuals involved in any wrong doing.

Business

Response:

Consumer's Final Response

Complaint resolved with company. Refund was issues.

Review: To: Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. Mr. [redacted], CEO Mr. Bob Szrot, Director of Client Relations Per my discussion with Mr. [redacted] in your Client Relations Division today January 29 2014, I would like to have Any and All of my personal information deleted from your systems and servers. My daughter thought she was on the government website to file her Fafsa and instead was on this website. I never intended or wanted to use a third party for the filling out and filing of my daughter's Fafsa. Mr. [redacted] said that he would have Any and All personal information for my daughter, my husband and myself deleted from your company's systems and servers and I would receive a confirmation email with in the hour. I have not received the email yet. Please note, I will hold Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. Liable for any lost, stolen or release of personal information for my daughter, my husband and myself.Desired Settlement: I would like to have Any and All of the personal information for my daughter, my husband and myself deleted from the Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. systems and servers. I would also like to receive a confirmation letter on the company's letterhead and email stating that Any and All of the personal information for my daughter, my husband and myself has been deleted from the Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. systems and servers.

Business

Response:

I am writing in response to the notice forwarded to me from your office, on January 30, 2014 in regard to Ms. [redacted]’s concerns with our service.

In Ms. [redacted]’s complaint she indicates privacy concerns related to information provided to our company’s website.

Our company, Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. is a fee-based advisory and preparation company dedicated to helping America’s families access the most student aid possible to pursue their college goals. As per the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the U.S. government authorizes two options for filing the federal student aid application – preparing and filing the application oneself for free, or filing using the services of a paid FAFSA preparer. While filing a federal student aid form is free on the U.S. Department of Education website, the process is not easy, and the U.S. government has stated the 137 tax, dependency and other financial questions can be more complicated that filing federal income tax forms. For over twenty (20) years, Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. has prepared students' federal aid applications to help them become eligible for the most aid possible. We offer our clients personalized advice, expertise, and easy-to-use Internet utilities to make filing the college financial aid application quick and accurate.

Clients utilizing our FAFSALive™ service speak to our trained Student Aid Advisors, who walk one through a simplified process, typically within 15 to 20 minutes. The application is checked for accuracy, and filed electronically.

Clients also have the option of using our ExpressFAFSA™ service, where they enter their information on our secure website. One of our knowledgeable Student Aid Advisors personally reviews the information using our 450-point FAFSACheck™ error detector and contacts the client to resolve any errors before electronically submitting a FAFSA to the federal processor. Those that file directly to Federal Processor without the use of our professional assistance do not receive this benefit from the Federal Processor’s website. Other comparisons between our company’s services and one filing a FAFSA on their own is located on our website.

Our company also proudly provides and supports a variety of free FAFSA and college planning services to low income families, including the Access for All program. Eligible individuals from low income families can utilize our services free of charge.

In Ms. [redacted]’s complaint she indicates her household utilized our company’s services and was not aware that she was not at the Federal Processor’s website. If you review our company’s website, you will see that its design is not like the Federal Processor’s website and states the following:

“Please note that this site is not affiliated with the Department of Education. FAFSA.com and Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. provide student financial aid advisory, consultation and preparation services. The FAFSA can be filed for free, without professional assistance at www.fafsa.ed.gov.”

Our company also lists its name “Student Financial Aid Service, Inc.” on its pages.

If you review our company’s homepage, you will see the following:

There is a statement in the upper right hand corner of the homepage, in bold, which specifically states “We are not affiliated with the Dept. of Education”.

“Using a FAFSA Preparer

Like filing your taxes, the FAFSA can be filed for free via paper or electronic forms without professional assistance at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Many people however, choose to use a FAFSA preparer, just like a tax preparer, to provide personal advice, consultation and review of their important FAFSA application.”

Prior to the submission of any information into our systems, our company’s terms of use, must be agreed to. The terms of use inform that our company is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education, that our company is a private, for profit company, and informs that one can file for free without professional assistance. Our company’s terms of use also provide links to the Federal Processor’s website for those that review the terms and choose not to use our company’s services.

Our company’s system will not allow users to submit any information online unless these terms are accepted. Our company’s terms of use are available on our company’s website for your review.

Our company feels that it is very clear in its messaging that it is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education and educates of alternate options for those that choose not to use our services after reaching our website.

Our records indicate that our company’s terms of use were agreed to and an account set up with our company on January 20, 2014. Our records indicate that payment for services was submitted to our company on January 22, 2014. As per our advertised services, the application was prepared and submitted to the Federal Processor on January 23, 2014. Ms. [redacted] contacted our company on January 29, 2014 requesting deletion of information from our systems. Our company has canceled Ms. [redacted]’s services and has issued a refund. An email was sent to Ms. [redacted] informing her that the process to accommodate her request would be thirty (30) days and that due to our company accommodating her request. A physical letter was mailed to Ms. [redacted] on February 3, 2014, also explaining how our company was accommodating her request.

Our company is a long-standing FAFSA preparation and advisory service that functions in a Government authorized industry. Our company feels that it provides ample, clear notification that our company is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education, that one has the option to file for free without professional assistance, and even provides links to the free Federal Processor website for those that reach our company and choose not to use our services. Our company respects the privacy of those that interact with it, and honors requests to be opted out from any future marketing by our company once we receive such a request.

Our company is a proud member of the Revdex.com and maintains an A+ rating. Our company has also consistently maintained over a 90% client satisfaction rating for over six years. We apologize for any confusion Ms. [redacted] may have experienced, but feel that our company makes a good faith effort to communicate properly with those that utilize its services.

We feel that the above mentioned explanation and actions address Ms. [redacted]'s concerns regarding our company. We feel our company has addressed Ms. [redacted]’s concerns and will consider this issue closed. If we can be of further assistance, regarding this issue, Ms. [redacted] may correspond with our company via physical mail, addressed to my attention.

Sincerely,

Bob Szrot

Director of Client Relations

Student Financial Aid Services, Inc.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Sincerely,

Review: My son was attempting to return to the FAFSA application I started for him and he ended on their application site instead of the goverment site. He did not know the difference because he said that all the information was in there database. The pages are nearly identical to the government page. He filled out the application and paid the Gold fees completely unaware that this was not the government site. Did not become aware of this until the company sent me an email. Upon realizing what took place I e-mailed them telling them do not process the payment as I had not authorized it and that it was a payment made on my account in error. As of this time I still have not heard back from them.Desired Settlement: I am looking for a full refund of 79.99.

Business

Response:

I am writing in response to the notice forwarded to me from your office, on March 3, 2014 in regard to Ms. [redacted]’s concerns with our service.

In Ms. [redacted]’s complaint she claims that our company’s website is nearly identical to the Government website and that her son was not made aware that she was not at the Federal Processor’s website until after receiving email communication from our company regarding payment. She has requested a refund of $79.99.

Our company, Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. is a fee-based advisory and preparation company dedicated to helping America’s families access the most student aid possible to pursue their college goals. As per the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the U.S. government authorizes two options for filing the federal student aid application – preparing and filing the application oneself for free, or filing using the services of a paid FAFSA preparer. While filing a federal student aid form is free on the U.S. Department of Education website, the process is not easy, and the U.S. government has stated the 137 tax, dependency and other financial questions can be more complicated that filing federal income tax forms. For over twenty (20) years, Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. has prepared students' federal aid applications to help them become eligible for the most aid possible. We offer our clients personalized advice, expertise, and easy-to-use Internet utilities to make filing the college financial aid application quick and accurate.

Clients utilizing our FAFSALive™ service speak to our trained Student Aid Advisors, who walk one through a simplified process, typically within 15 to 20 minutes. The application is checked for accuracy, and filed electronically.

Clients also have the option of using our ExpressFAFSA™ service, where they enter their information on our secure website. One of our knowledgeable Student Aid Advisors personally reviews the information using our 450-point FAFSACheck™ error detector and contacts the client to resolve any errors before electronically submitting a FAFSA to the federal processor. Those that file directly to Federal Processor without the use of our professional assistance do not receive this benefit from the Federal Processor’s website. Other comparisons between our company’s services and one filing a FAFSA on their own is located on our website.

Our company also proudly provides and supports a variety of free FAFSA and college planning services to low income families, including the Access for All program. Eligible individuals from low income families can utilize our services free of charge.

In Ms. [redacted]’s complaint she claims that our company’s website is nearly identical to the Government website and that she was not made aware that she was not at the Federal Processor’s website until after receiving email communication from our company. If you review our company’s website, you will note that the webpage design looks nothing like the Federal Processor’s webpage and our website pages contain the follow statement at the bottom of each page:

“Please note that this site is not affiliated with the Department of Education. FAFSA.com and Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. provide student financial aid advisory, consultation and preparation services. The FAFSA can be filed for free, without professional assistance at www.fafsa.ed.gov.”

Our company also lists its name “Student Financial Aid Service, Inc.” on its pages.

If you review our company’s homepage, you will see the following:

There is a statement in the upper right hand corner of the homepage, in bold, which specifically states “We are not affiliated with the Dept. of Education”.

“Using a FAFSA Preparer

Like filing your taxes, the FAFSA can be filed for free via paper or electronic forms without professional assistance at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Many people however, choose to use a FAFSA preparer, just like a tax preparer, to provide personal advice, consultation and review of their important FAFSA application.”

“The nation’s oldest and largest student aid advisory firm. We are a non-government organization.”

Prior to the submission of any information into our systems, our company’s terms of use, must be agreed to. The terms of use inform that our company is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education, that our company is a private, for profit company, and informs that one can file for free without professional assistance. Our company’s terms of use also provide links to the Federal Processor’s website for those that review the terms and choose not to use our company’s services.

Our company’s system will not allow users to submit any information online unless these terms are accepted. Our company’s terms of use are available on our company’s website for your review.

Our company feels that it is very clear in its messaging that it is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education and educates of alternate options for those that choose not to use our services after reaching our website.

Our records indicate that our company’s terms of use were agreed to and an account set up with our company on March 1, 2014. Our records show an email was sent by Ms. [redacted] on indicating a desire to utilize a different form of payment for services. A response was sent to Ms. [redacted] on March 3, 2014, the same date this complaint was received by your office, asking her to contact our company’s Client Relations department to address her needs.

To accommodate Ms. [redacted]’s clarified request, as stated in the complaint received from your office, our company has refunded the service fee to Ms. [redacted] and have canceled services with our company.

We feel that the above mentioned explanation and actions address Ms. [redacted]'s concerns. We feel our company, once it was made aware, has expeditiously addressed Ms. [redacted]’s concerns and will consider this issue closed. If we can be of further assistance, regarding this issue, our Client Relations Department can be reached Monday throughFriday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time at 866-943-5320.

Sincerely,

Bob Szrot

Director of Client Relations

Student Financial Aid Services, Inc.

Business

Response:

I am writing in response to the notice forwarded to me from your office, on March 3, 2014 in regard to Ms. [redacted]’s concerns with our service.

In Ms. [redacted]’s complaint she claims that our company’s website is nearly identical to the Government website and that her son was not made aware that she was not at the Federal Processor’s website until after receiving email communication from our company regarding payment. She has requested a refund of $79.99.

Our company, Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. is a fee-based advisory and preparation company dedicated to helping America’s families access the most student aid possible to pursue their college goals. As per the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the U.S. government authorizes two options for filing the federal student aid application – preparing and filing the application oneself for free, or filing using the services of a paid FAFSA preparer. While filing a federal student aid form is free on the U.S. Department of Education website, the process is not easy, and the U.S. government has stated the 137 tax, dependency and other financial questions can be more complicated that filing federal income tax forms. For over twenty (20) years, Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. has prepared students' federal aid applications to help them become eligible for the most aid possible. We offer our clients personalized advice, expertise, and easy-to-use Internet utilities to make filing the college financial aid application quick and accurate.

Clients utilizing our FAFSALive™ service speak to our trained Student Aid Advisors, who walk one through a simplified process, typically within 15 to 20 minutes. The application is checked for accuracy, and filed electronically.

Clients also have the option of using our ExpressFAFSA™ service, where they enter their information on our secure website. One of our knowledgeable Student Aid Advisors personally reviews the information using our 450-point FAFSACheck™ error detector and contacts the client to resolve any errors before electronically submitting a FAFSA to the federal processor. Those that file directly to Federal Processor without the use of our professional assistance do not receive this benefit from the Federal Processor’s website. Other comparisons between our company’s services and one filing a FAFSA on their own is located on our website.

Our company also proudly provides and supports a variety of free FAFSA and college planning services to low income families, including the Access for All program. Eligible individuals from low income families can utilize our services free of charge.

In Ms. [redacted]’s complaint she claims that our company’s website is nearly identical to the Government website and that she was not made aware that she was not at the Federal Processor’s website until after receiving email communication from our company. If you review our company’s website, you will note that the webpage design looks nothing like the Federal Processor’s webpage and our website pages contain the follow statement at the bottom of each page:

“Please note that this site is not affiliated with the Department of Education. FAFSA.com and Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. provide student financial aid advisory, consultation and preparation services. The FAFSA can be filed for free, without professional assistance at www.fafsa.ed.gov.”

Our company also lists its name “Student Financial Aid Service, Inc.” on its pages.

If you review our company’s homepage, you will see the following:

There is a statement in the upper right hand corner of the homepage, in bold, which specifically states “We are not affiliated with the Dept. of Education”.

“Using a FAFSA Preparer

Like filing your taxes, the FAFSA can be filed for free via paper or electronic forms without professional assistance at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Many people however, choose to use a FAFSA preparer, just like a tax preparer, to provide personal advice, consultation and review of their important FAFSA application.”

“The nation’s oldest and largest student aid advisory firm. We are a non-government organization.”

Prior to the submission of any information into our systems, our company’s terms of use, must be agreed to. The terms of use inform that our company is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education, that our company is a private, for profit company, and informs that one can file for free without professional assistance. Our company’s terms of use also provide links to the Federal Processor’s website for those that review the terms and choose not to use our company’s services.

Our company’s system will not allow users to submit any information online unless these terms are accepted. Our company’s terms of use are available on our company’s website for your review.

Our company feels that it is very clear in its messaging that it is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education and educates of alternate options for those that choose not to use our services after reaching our website.

Our records indicate that our company’s terms of use were agreed to and an account set up with our company on March 1, 2014. Our records show an email was sent by Ms. [redacted] on indicating a desire to utilize a different form of payment for services. A response was sent to Ms. [redacted] on March 3, 2014, the same date this complaint was received by your office, asking her to contact our company’s Client Relations department to address her needs.

To accommodate Ms. [redacted]’s clarified request, as stated in the complaint received from your office, our company has refunded the service fee to Ms. [redacted] and have canceled services with our company.

We feel that the above mentioned explanation and actions address Ms. [redacted]'s concerns. We feel our company, once it was made aware, has expeditiously addressed Ms. [redacted]’s concerns and will consider this issue closed. If we can be of further assistance, regarding this issue, our Client Relations Department can be reached Monday throughFriday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time at 866-943-5320.

Sincerely,

Bob Szrot

Director of Client Relations

Student Financial Aid Services, Inc.

Business

Response:

I am writing in response to the notice forwarded to me from your office, on March 3, 2014 in regard to Ms. [redacted]’s concerns with our service.

In Ms. [redacted]’s complaint she claims that our company’s website is nearly identical to the Government website and that her son was not made aware that she was not at the Federal Processor’s website until after receiving email communication from our company regarding payment. She has requested a refund of $79.99.

Our company, Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. is a fee-based advisory and preparation company dedicated to helping America’s families access the most student aid possible to pursue their college goals. As per the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the U.S. government authorizes two options for filing the federal student aid application – preparing and filing the application oneself for free, or filing using the services of a paid FAFSA preparer. While filing a federal student aid form is free on the U.S. Department of Education website, the process is not easy, and the U.S. government has stated the 137 tax, dependency and other financial questions can be more complicated that filing federal income tax forms. For over twenty (20) years, Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. has prepared students' federal aid applications to help them become eligible for the most aid possible. We offer our clients personalized advice, expertise, and easy-to-use Internet utilities to make filing the college financial aid application quick and accurate.

Clients utilizing our FAFSALive™ service speak to our trained Student Aid Advisors, who walk one through a simplified process, typically within 15 to 20 minutes. The application is checked for accuracy, and filed electronically.

Clients also have the option of using our ExpressFAFSA™ service, where they enter their information on our secure website. One of our knowledgeable Student Aid Advisors personally reviews the information using our 450-point FAFSACheck™ error detector and contacts the client to resolve any errors before electronically submitting a FAFSA to the federal processor. Those that file directly to Federal Processor without the use of our professional assistance do not receive this benefit from the Federal Processor’s website. Other comparisons between our company’s services and one filing a FAFSA on their own is located on our website.

Our company also proudly provides and supports a variety of free FAFSA and college planning services to low income families, including the Access for All program. Eligible individuals from low income families can utilize our services free of charge.

In Ms. [redacted]’s complaint she claims that our company’s website is nearly identical to the Government website and that she was not made aware that she was not at the Federal Processor’s website until after receiving email communication from our company. If you review our company’s website, you will note that the webpage design looks nothing like the Federal Processor’s webpage and our website pages contain the follow statement at the bottom of each page:

“Please note that this site is not affiliated with the Department of Education. FAFSA.com and Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. provide student financial aid advisory, consultation and preparation services. The FAFSA can be filed for free, without professional assistance at www.fafsa.ed.gov.”

Our company also lists its name “Student Financial Aid Service, Inc.” on its pages.

If you review our company’s homepage, you will see the following:

There is a statement in the upper right hand corner of the homepage, in bold, which specifically states “We are not affiliated with the Dept. of Education”.

“Using a FAFSA Preparer

Like filing your taxes, the FAFSA can be filed for free via paper or electronic forms without professional assistance at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Many people however, choose to use a FAFSA preparer, just like a tax preparer, to provide personal advice, consultation and review of their important FAFSA application.”

“The nation’s oldest and largest student aid advisory firm. We are a non-government organization.”

Prior to the submission of any information into our systems, our company’s terms of use, must be agreed to. The terms of use inform that our company is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education, that our company is a private, for profit company, and informs that one can file for free without professional assistance. Our company’s terms of use also provide links to the Federal Processor’s website for those that review the terms and choose not to use our company’s services.

Our company’s system will not allow users to submit any information online unless these terms are accepted. Our company’s terms of use are available on our company’s website for your review.

Our company feels that it is very clear in its messaging that it is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education and educates of alternate options for those that choose not to use our services after reaching our website.

Our records indicate that our company’s terms of use were agreed to and an account set up with our company on March 1, 2014. Our records show an email was sent by Ms. [redacted] on indicating a desire to utilize a different form of payment for services. A response was sent to Ms. [redacted] on March 3, 2014, the same date this complaint was received by your office, asking her to contact our company’s Client Relations department to address her needs.

To accommodate Ms. [redacted]’s clarified request, as stated in the complaint received from your office, our company has refunded the service fee to Ms. [redacted] and have canceled services with our company.

We feel that the above mentioned explanation and actions address Ms. [redacted]'s concerns. We feel our company, once it was made aware, has expeditiously addressed Ms. [redacted]’s concerns and will consider this issue closed. If we can be of further assistance, regarding this issue, our Client Relations Department can be reached Monday throughFriday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time at 866-943-5320.

Sincerely,

Bob Szrot

Director of Client Relations

Student Financial Aid Services, Inc.

Review: This company has an address of FAFSA.com and has the appearance of the free site for filing student financial aid. I entered my debit card information and have disputed the charge with my bank. I am requesting full reimbursement of $27 since I filed it for free already on FAFSA ed.org website. This was a mistake.Desired Settlement: Refund the $27 charged to my debit card. I has already filed for financial aid and only needed to print my SAR.

Business

Response:

I am writing in response to the notice forwarded to me from your office, on June 17, 2014 in regard to Mr. [redacted]’ concerns with our service.

In Mr. [redacted]’ complaint he claims that he was not made aware that one can file without professional assistance for free. He has requested a refund for his partial payment and that his application be canceled.

Our company, Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. is a fee-based advisory and preparation company dedicated to helping America’s families access the most student aid possible to pursue their college goals. As per the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the U.S. government authorizes two options for filing the federal student aid application – preparing and filing the application oneself for free, or filing using the services of a paid FAFSA preparer. While filing a federal student aid form is free on the U.S. Department of Education website, the process is not easy, and the U.S. government has stated the 137 tax, dependency and other financial questions can be more complicated that filing federal income tax forms. For over twenty (20) years, Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. has prepared students' federal aid applications to help them become eligible for the most aid possible. We offer our clients personalized advice, expertise, and easy-to-use Internet utilities to make filing the college financial aid application quick and accurate.

Clients utilizing our FAFSALive™ service speak to our trained Student Aid Advisors, who walk one through a simplified process, typically within 15 to 20 minutes. The application is checked for accuracy, and filed electronically.

Clients also have the option of using our ExpressFAFSA™ service, where they enter their information on our secure website. One of our knowledgeable Student Aid Advisors personally reviews the information using our 450-point FAFSACheck™ error detector and contacts the client to resolve any errors before electronically submitting a FAFSA to the federal processor. Those that file directly to Federal Processor without the use of

our professional assistance do not receive this benefit from the Federal Processor’s website. Other comparisons between our company’s services and one filing a FAFSA on their own is located on our website.

Our company also proudly provides and supports a variety of free FAFSA and college planning services to low income families, including the Access for All program. Eligible individuals from low income families can utilize our services free of charge.

In Mr. [redacted]’ complaint he claims that he was not made aware that he had the option of filing for free without professional assistance. If you review our company’s website, you will note that our website pages contain the follow statement at the bottom of each page:

“Please note that this site is not affiliated with the Department of Education. FAFSA.com and Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. provide student financial aid advisory, consultation and preparation services. The FAFSA can be filed for free, without professional assistance at www.fafsa.ed.gov.”

Our company also lists its name “Student Financial Aid Service, Inc.” on its pages.

If you review our company’s homepage, you will see the following:

There is a statement in the upper right hand corner of the homepage, in bold, which specifically states “We are not affiliated with the Dept. of Education”.

“Using a FAFSA Preparer

Like filing your taxes, the FAFSA can be filed for free via paper or electronic forms without professional assistance at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Many people however, choose to use a FAFSA preparer, just like a tax preparer, to provide personal advice, consultation and review of their important FAFSA application.”

“The nation’s oldest and largest student aid advisory firm. We are a non-government organization.”

Prior to the submission of any information into our systems, our company’s terms of use, must be agreed to. The terms of use inform that our company is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education, that our company is a private, for profit company, and informs that one can file for free without professional assistance. Our company’s terms of use also provide links to the Federal Processor’s website for those that review the terms and choose not to use our company’s services.

Our company’s system will not allow users to submit any information online unless these terms are accepted. Our company’s terms of use are available on our company’s website for your review.

Our records indicate that our company’s terms of use were agreed to and an account set up with our company and an application submitted on June 16, 2014. Our company shows no record of Mr. [redacted] contacting our company to discuss his concerns or desire for a refund.

To address Mr. [redacted]’ concern, our company has issued a refund for his partial payment and have canceled his service with our company.

Our company feels that it is very clear in its messaging that it is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education and educates of alternate options for those that choose not to use our services after reaching our website. We apologize for any confusion Mr. [redacted] may have experienced during his interaction with our company. We feel that the above mentioned explanation and actions address Mr. [redacted]'s concerns and will consider this issue closed. If we can be of further assistance, regarding this issue, our Client Relations Department can be reached Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time at ###-###-####.