Wife switched schools and UOP is sending letters stating she owes $2800 and it is about to go to collections. When she checks UOP's website it says she owes $600 for her last class. The letters does not state what the money is owed for. I know she owes the $600 for her last class but not according to the letters and emails she keeps getting. The emails say she owe $1100. Either way it's not adding up.

Seems to me they don't have their stuff straight at UOP, but we don't want it to mess up her credit. I'm not going to pay for something when I have no idea what it is for. What should be the first step in disputing the amount? Thanks.

Have you called to find out what the balance is or what it is for?? $600 or $2800..either way it sounds like she has a past due account that is going to start messing up her credit.

I would also look for some information on the internet... serach for U of Phoenix and scam, billing problems, etc...

I happened by a site (I've never even thought about taking classes through them, that's how I "happened" by it), and was enthralled for about 45 minutes reading stories of people who were screwed by their billing department.

In that same forum were stories of people whose accounts went into collections. Stay on top of this.

It is hard to touch bases with these people. Would a DV letter be justified in this case?

Thad, I think that it couldn't hurt. You should at least request a statement of account.

I am having the same problem. I am calling tomorrow to find out what is going on with this letter they are sending me. I don't want it to start messing up my credit either.

My wife contacted them and they stated that the $2800 is for the whole 2 years she has been in school. Not for a particular class but for the whole time she has been in school. Huh? Why did they wait till she transfered to another school to start claiming she owed money. UOP said they had to give $2800 back to the financial aid lender. Sounds to me like their dispute is with the financial aid lender.

It is because your wife switched schools that she owes the money. If she received FA for UOP and then withdrew before a certain point, UOP has to return part of the FA. Often the schools cut off date for refunds has long since past, leaving the student owing money to school. It is not uncommon for a student to have a balance owing to the school when they withdraw from a school.

I don't understand. If she has finished her last class and then transfers how does she owe the money? Does she need to call FA to make them pay for the balance that they pulled out on?

My understanding is that student loans are for a semester (or quarter, or whatever academic calender the school uses), so if a student withdraws in the middle of a semester (or whatever) the school may have to return the money to the lender (depends on withdrawal date, IIRC).

But, if a student completed the semester (etc.) then the loaned money was used for the purpose for which it was loaned, and the lender doesnot get their money back.

Check with the lender, and talk to the financial aid officer at U of P - not one of the clerks, but the designated FAO.