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Are you an ex-student or ex-employee of AIU and would like to contribute to spreading the truth about this school? You can do so by making a short 1-3 minute video or slide show about your story and then post it on www.youtube.com. After posting it on youtube, email the link to speakout@aiutruth.com and it will then be posted on this site.

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Recent Posts:

5/2/07
This site is truthful and needed! As a former employee of AIU, I resigned due to the fact that I was strongly encouraged to engage in unethical behaviors, which I did not, even when others did engage in the behaviors and were promoted for it. Higher education must be focused upon gaining knowledge, without the entire scope on numbers and the bottomline. As a graduate of a Big-Ten University, it is a tragedy to learn of those who have been adversely affected by the actions of this company - from false applications, forgery, out-right lying to students, misuse of student information, promoting entry-level contributors into management positions without ANY higher level degree requirements met, changing job titles, resignation of upper-level management, high attrition, sexual harassment, racial discrimination, bosses dating and marrying subordinates; and last, failing students and rescheduling them for classes...this school needs to lose their accreditation or totally change their ways.  - Former AIU Employee

5/2/07
This site is posting half-truths by the fist full. It fails to mention (because the authors undoubtedly have no knowledge of) the fact that AIU successfully eliminated half of the 14 recommendations SACS set forth by Dec 2006. The other recommendations were said to have shown great progress toward compliance, and with continued perseverence should be eliminated by the end of 2007. Admissions practices have been completely revamped, and Marketing now must be reviewed by the corporation's Compliance department before being published to ensure accuracy of all statements. This internal overhaul has put AIU's focus more on education than ever before. This site also fails to mention that online education by for-profits offers a convenient alternative to traditional schools that simply aren't available anywhere else. Is online education for everyone? Absolutely not. Does it work well for working professionals, single parents, or those who cannot study at a traditional college? Many, many times...yes. Accreditation probation is of course very serious, but to think that only for-profits deal with these issues is naive. Online education is a new sector that accreditors, and in many cases the corporations themselves, are learning as they go. Of course there are growing pains. In many cases, these schools have grown faster than they were prepared for. Now, they are (or at least to my knowledge, AIU) catching up and putting proper safeguards in place to protect students and their investments while staying profittable. And anyone who says that state-run universities don't worry about profits just as much might as well be selling you snake oil. Board of Regents' salaries don't pay themselves, you know    -Anonymous

5/2/07
I love it when people try to defend AIU. Usually its current employees that either just don’t get it or they are tricking themselves into believing that they are not doing anything wrong by working for such a business. Its also students that don’t want to look foolish for spending thirty thousands dollars on a unknown or not respected school. The last post is a great example of the twisted logic this school uses to attract students and retain employees.

Yes, AIU corrected some of the problems regarding accreditation - they had no choice. However, they only corrected 50% of them! That’s a failing score in my book. Yes, many traditional schools have been on probation, but it still doesn’t make it right!  AIU’s own greed is what caused them to grow at an uncontrollable rate. They could have limited the number of students they enrolled until they had the right systems it place to handle a high volume, but instead they decided to beef up their admissions department and pump-up their marketing. They decided to get a short-term gain rather then developing long-term stability, all at the expense of innocent students that are just trying to get ahead in life. What does AIU care, just as long as Uncle Sam keeps sending them checks they are going to keep pumping out degrees. So don’t give me this “they just grew to fast” excuse.

Online learning is not new, its been going on for years, its just been called distant learning, so don’t play that card either. AIU and other schools like it are not the only option for people with limited time, this site gives links to a number of sites that have long lists of online programs from traditional schools, you just don’t hear much about these schools because they don’t invest much in marketing. Also, if AIU is so concerned about helping working adults get a education why does their website and other marketing pieces target high school students? Even the much-criticized University of Phoenix avoids enrolling recent high school grads.

As far as traditional schools seeking profit as well, yes you are correct again. Every school seeks to have their income be greater than their expenses, but the question is where does that excess funding (profit) get invested. If it’s a for-profit school, that money goes right to share holders (dividends) and it might also get saved for later use on other lucrative investments like buying other schools. If it’s a traditional school, that excess funding gets invested back into the school for things like infrastructure and/or instructional improvements. Stop kidding yourself, AIU and other so-called career colleges are not innovating companies that have found a need in the market. All they found was a way to get a piece (a big piece) of the countries financial aid money by exploiting the dreams of less educated consumers. I wouldn’t even call that a business model, its more of a clever legal scam. I applaud this site for what they are doing. I’m sick of capitalists trying to stick their little greedy hands where it doesn't belong. Education is too much of an important public service to be controlled by the free market. - Anonymous

5/3/07
The fundamental problem with schools that are publicly traded like AIU is that the incentives for misbehaving and under-delivering exceed the rewards for delivering a superior product. You see AIU must show growth every year or else no one will invest in them. The upper management of these schools set high numbers that they must meet. To meet the numbers it’s much easier to invest in marketing than to invest in improving the quality of the product. By investing in the product you are making more of a long-term investment that will help build the future image of the school, but investors are looking to make money now, not later. Investing in marketing will get the numbers that investors are looking for. It makes no sense for a school like AIU to hire the best instructors and staff, provide high quality programs that are professionally accredited and have high standards. The reason is because these things don’t produce any short term ROI. There will always be a large market of consumers who are looking to get a degree but lack the knowledge about finding a quality school. Quality can be a hard thing to evaluate when it comes to education. First, if you have never been to college you have no base for comparison. Second, a lot of the metrics used to evaluate schools is self reported information, so falsification is common. Third, there is no standard method of testing the knowledge of each graduate and comparing it to graduates from other schools. As long as these schools have access to federal aid and student loans they will have no true incentive to improve the quality of their product. It’s a pretty sweet business.   -Steve

5/3/07
I would like to respond to anonymous's remarks. I hope AIU pays you well to take the time to write ridiculous statements like the ones above. Let us start at the beginning when you state that AIU has achieved half of the "recommendations" and are well on their way towards completing the rest of them. This is a bragging point? These "recommendations" are mandatory and were put in place to eliminate terrible business practices that ultimately only hurt the students, or should I say customers. Bravo to a company that is compling with changes to stay in business. Moving on; all marketing must be approved by the companie's compliance board! Wow, good for CEC. They made a department within their own corporation for checks and balances. A department within the same corporation that got itself into trouble in the first place. CEC proved it couldn't regulate itself and that is why they have schools (and I use the term schools loosely)on probation. Then you go on to say that this is a new area for education and CEC is learning as they go along. Fine, I will give you the point that any business goes through growing pains, but if you are basically admitting that they do not know how to run their business the best way possible and that there are many flaws why do they keep plugging students into their programs by the thousands? If Ford had a car with faulty breaks they wouldn't keep selling them until they finally got it right. Lots of casualities come with business practices like that, and in this case the casualities are the students. I am not even going to get into your attempted comparison to state and government regulated schools because I would have to type for hours. You have aparently recieved your education from AIU. Apologists get nothing done, and neither will Career Education.

5/5/07
Let it be known: AIU Online's former vice-president of Admissions, Debbie Love, was forced to resigned because she did not have ANY degree; she was just recently replaced. How can the school push for enrollments and use psychological methods on potential students when the managers of the "school" don't have degree themselves; even the formally called "training managers" don't have degrees, forcing many to enroll in AIU themselves. This would be a better school if they practiced what they preached.

6/1/07
I GOT A DEGREE FROM AIU, IT WAS THE BIGGGGEST MISTAKE EVER CURRENTLY IN DEFAULT AND ALWAYS GOING TO  BE BROKE. DID I GET A GOOD JOB NO. SO DO NOT USE AIU ONLINE, GO TO A LOCAL COLLEGE OR COMMUNITY COLLEGE, IT WILL BE CHEAPER.

7/2/07
I wish I saw this site before I got myself in debt! Keep up the good work ya'll!

9/22/07
Thank you so very much for this site. Just Thursday I had an "interview" placed with a staffing agency looking for admissions advisors for AIU. I was skeptical but had been out of the workforce for 3 years, looking to return. I'm a degreed person from nationally recognized and regionally tradtional university, an SEC school.

I have to say my "interview" with the Director of Admissions was the most unprofessional, demeaning, and worst interview i've ever experienced. After a college degree, and 5 years of employment before I left the workforce, this girl that had been there 3 years and was admissions director was rude, unsmiling, unprofessional, and horrible. my interview was conducted in a hallway!

Needless to say, I didn't see a lot of smiling faces around there and when the staffing agency called back to tell me they the university felt i "lacked experience" I was relieved. after reading this i'm more relieved. Still on the job search but at least I have leads and i'm being pursued by several other companies.

I'm glad I was spared. Don't even think of applying or working for them. If you have a degree, they probably won't want you because you can figure it out!

10/6/07
 I am an officer (Army CW3) in the military and have traveled the world atending over 7 colleges. AIU is by far the worst college with the most unstable teaching standards and grading. Most of the students in half of the classes I took were more intelligent that the professors. $32,000 for 10 classes--get out of here..that is robbery. They have it figured out though because the entiice you with only having ten courses and most are wlling to pay. If you do plan to atttend AIU I would at a minimum wait until SACS makes their decision in January on whether AIU will even keep their accredidation.

12/02/07
I was a student for AIU Online. To put it modestly/brief, I was incredibly misled by admissions & counselors. I knew about higher education and still have a lot to learn. ?You cannot drop out? ?All of credits are excepted every were?. Here is one, you?re nearly homeless for about 2-3 months and lucky enough to have a bed (lol the catch your friend is gay and that?s the bed you sharing), and no access to internet and still charged & convince you can?t drop out. You should feel so proud and lucky that I can keep you in after missing 3 semesters and cannot do the math.  Sorry I have been beyond frustrated & only found out now that I could have dropped out at any time. I have tried a multitude of different sites and not one has posted any legal actions against them. What I mean is if someone can help with what a former student can do. Would greatly appreciate if someone can post links to the actual lawsuit case files of what former students of their online branch. Have they ever been sued? How, one can go about filing complaints not to just SACS, but to other government Ed. departments and who might listen. The amount of shame & regret for your own stupidity (i.e. believing in education from a sales rep) force a lot of people not to speak out. This is fraud what they did to me and many others, inconceivable that an educator can do this. Apologies about the rambling, I want to go to college but have no chance now b/c of the dept. In any case THANK YOU for this site, really hope others get to it before speaking with their sales rep

12/4/07
I am an ex-employee and would love nothing more than to expose this crap school and place to work. You need to be honored for hosting this site.

12/6/07
 I worked at AIU Online for almost 3 years. The company cares about nothing more than enrollments. The credits do NOT transfer into other schools. Currently, they have a new department in admissions, now called marketing, where they call the same students 3-5 times a day in order to get enrollments. I ended up calling the same people over and over again for months, nearly stalking them. This is not a way to support education. The company is in shambles in every department. Every qualified worker has left the company. None of the manager have degrees. How can you market degrees if your managers/directors do not have at least a Bachelor's degree. We'll see what happens with their accreditation on December 11th. According to the law of Karma, they should definitely lose their accreditation. I feel horrible for even working for this company for so long.

12/7/07
My youngest son just recently got "sucked" in to AIU's marketing scam. He told me he already signed papers on-line. His classes are to start Jan. 6 '08. Question is, can he still bail out without it costing him an arm and a leg?

12/7/07
If he did not start classes yet you should have nothing to fear.  Below is AIU’s drop policy taken from page 14 of the student catalog.

 So you have six days from the start of the quarter to get your money back.  If you have any problems demand to speak with the director of student services and tell him you will report this to SACS if you dont get a full refund. 

-AIUTRUTH

12/09/07
Why does SACS and the Dept of Ed allow these schools to even exist? Its bad enough I'm buried in debt from going to AIU, but then to have a potential employer say they require a BS for the job, but AIU doesn't count is horrible. I don't understand why the scam is allowed to go one, and why students get stuck in this mess.

12/10/07
you guys just saved me a bundle!

12/10/07
AIU is the biggest discrace in education, they only care about money. A trained GOAT could get a degree there, as long as it's owner takes it to class atleast 1 time a week, 2 times isn't really a requirement. I went there in 2005, had a 4.0 GPA, and one class to go before I graduated. Finally during the very last class, I was being ripped off by their financial aid people, that after applying 5 times for them to get my HOPE, which I completely qualified for, they never did their work, because they didn't care. Then they called me on a Thursday, and told me I had a new payment plan, and I'm like why, and then called me back on the very next Monday, and told me the first payment plan, which I shouldn't have been on to begin with, was incorrect, it would of course be much more. This was about screw up number 12 during my 2 yrs there, I finally just cursed out the DEAN, the President, and anyone else I could find, and quit with an A in the last class before graduating, with what would have been a useless degree to begin with. Knowing that if they were this dirty, they'd probably lose their accreditation anyway, so it really didn't matter. And sure enough in December of 06, without even hearing the ripoff's they were doing to me, they surely did. Not exactly a shocking revelation let me tell ya. If SACS will accredit this rip off school, I could start a GOAT herding school, and it would get accredited.

12/16/07
Look into exposing the savannah college of art and design
http://landscrape.us/files/ph/students.html

12/16/07
Thank you for the answer re: my son and his "about-to-be" dreadful decision to take classes from AIU. He did drop the classes and asked for an E-mail from them stating that he was,in deed, dropped from their itinerary. They replied and all is well. Of course they could not understand why he made his decision to drop these classes. He just simply told them about all he had read and that he didn't want anything to do with them.

Thanks to you and your web site another person has been saved from the grips of these crooks.

12/25/07
It needs to be said!! I have had a boss that got her "PhD" in a similar University and she did not even know what the Americans With Disabilities Act was! A Project Management, Human Resource Major!and to add insult to injury she was hired as adjunct faculty by a legit school Despite the fact she has unfair labor practice suits filed against her!! She works for the government therefore had her tuition completely paid for, and our tax dollars are going towards this? Schools like Capella, AIU, and Walden? Be sure to think about that the next time they say they cannot pay for Veterans going to real schools and rehabilitate or insurance for kids...because they are to busy paying tuition reimbursement for sub-par managers to get their fake degrees.

These schools are not only a fraud, but in the end EVERYONE must pay for these school's fraudulant activity.

12/27/07
I recently was exploring starting some online courses to work towards an associates degree. I found the recruiter to be extremely demeaning in the manner in which he asked his questions. In addition, despite my request to simply gather information on what the school could offer, I never got an answer. He simply kept asking demeaning questions. The representative's name was Gary Fitzpatrick and I essentially got tired of his questions and not getting answers to my questions that I ultimately hung up on the man. He called me back and left another demeaning voicemail for which I saved. I'd like to report this to someone but not sure who. Incident occurred on 12/27/07. Your site has been helpful and I'm very happy to have NOT gone forward with this SCAM. I will be going to my local community college now.

1/12/08
I agree, i curently attend AIU, and last year i was dropped from my classes and told it was because i did not log in, in a certain amount of time. This was crap. I found out that my advisor had left the school and no one clled me to tell me anything. This school, i believe is a RIPOFF. Can you sue AIU? this school is a joke

1/17/08
Having just quit a job, I'd been checking out jobs and temp agencies when I got an e-mail from AIU. I was a bit skeptical when they offered a position in student admissions, since I have no experience in that field, but I'm always willing to get experience so I showed up and filled out the paperwork.

My interview was conducted in what looked like a break-room and the first thing out of the guy's mouth was that he had just found out that the position had been filled but he'd be able to offer me another position (which was basically sales). I'd spoken with this guy on the phone, before my interview, and had told him specifically that I did not want a sales job. After explaining this to him again, he said he would be able to offer me a position in student advising. All this without even making a phone call or leaving the room!

I do have another interview set up but, after reading up on their dodgy practices and looking over this site, I think I've had enough "experience" with this particular company.

1/20/08
I enrolled to AIU online courses but when I saw the tuition I quickly dropped everything. I was fortunate to be able to cancel a pending student loan before it could be reviewed or approved. However, I was hounded daily as to why I didn't take out a loan or why I didn't send back all the necessary enrollment forms. To this day I still get an occasional phone call or email from AIU to enroll. I just ignore the calls and delete their emails.

1/22/08
WOW.. I just got "accepted" to AIU forget this thanks for the warning i'm dropping out before i go into debt and get shammed

1/31/08
Oh boy. Here's something to add: The "counselor" talked me into a private signature loan. This was several years ago - I was a teenager supporting another teenager (long story) and desperate to make more than minimum wage. Couldn't apply for federal aid due to dependency status and my mom not agreeing to give her tax info. They said the magic line, "If you want to make more money, you'll figure a way to make it work."

I signed up for a loan with NINETEEN PERCENT INEREST because of these people and have no recourse. Stopped "attending" after the first semester, but my "transcript" says I was enrolled for three semesters! All F's! Does wonders for my GPA and applications to real schools, let me tell ya.

Frickin sharks.

2/2/08
 I was a former employee and am glad to see this site exists. these guys are the worst, shadiest people. the whole scope is to enroll students at any costs. students, refered to as leads are simply numbers and not cared about. seriously, there shouldnt be a quota for enrolling students. i was luckily let go for no reason. any job is better than working there, and any education is better than this scam.


2/208
 I am a student attending a.i.u. la campus this school is a joke....they lie about evey single THING. i am or was in stuend housing, the housing manager told me to go back to tge ghetto i told her she is racist called her boss, the naacp. wrote to the university president, and in retalition they gave me an eviction notice so soon ill be homeless, and no one is trying to help me. i WILL SUE, these people are crazy i came to this school to graduate not to deal with staff member telling me to go back to the ghetto email me i need help anniyahkaleese@yahoo.com

2/2/08
this is great. my favorite would be when students call looking to get into being a teacher or a nurse. the required script says the admissions advisor should still enroll the potential student into a degree program. you cannot become a teacher without being certified, yet advisors trick students into thinking they can. scam.

2/8/08
My best friend has worked for AIU Online for several years, and I have heard nothing but horror stories in all that time. All the previous comments about AIU's "admissions counselors" being little more than percentage-driven, cold-calling sales associates echoes the comments my friend made when he started in the admissions department. My friend even had a student---who had NO prior college experience---demand that he go directly into the Master's program---because that's what his admissions counselor had promised him. For the most part the staff sound incompetent, the students unprepared for higher education, and the administrators corrupt. Based on all the stories I've heard, I would treat AIU like a highly infectious disease and avoid it

2/12/08

 I noticed a comment (12/27/07) about a representatives demeaning questions and lack of answers to real questions. As a former "admissions advisor" I know that he was only doing his job the way he was taught. Don't hate Gary, hate AIU. They have a script for everything and advisors are nothing more than a cog in the AIU machine. Most of the emails that are sent out are done automatically without the "advisors" knowing, even though it comes from their email and has their name on it. Just remember that if you ever do talk to an AIU advisor that they are sitting in a call center, being micro-managed, with a script in their hands.

2/14/08
I am a 2006 AIU grad with a BIT degree. If I had to do it over again, I would get my degree from somewhere else. Here is what you should look for in a good online school:
1. Not for profit
2. Program accreditation (regional / national is not enough)
3. The school has a credible ground campus.

Honestly, AIU falls short in all 3 categories. The worse thing about it is the quality of the students. It is true that they accept anyone with a heartbeat and a paycheck. Of course, I did not know that when I signed up. I figured it out about 3/4ths of the way through. Other than that, it was a good education. Seriously, I did learn a lot. However, I had already been in the IT field for years so this degree is for promotional purposes. Needless to say, I was extremely relieved when sacs announced AIU would stay accredited.

As a side note, I was accepted in Penn State's MBA program with my BIT as the fulfillment of the bachelors requirement for acceptance. The bottom line for me is that AIU served its purpose for my needs, but I would not recommend them or ever go back.

2/16/08
Some of these things are true but you are dedicating your time into putting a negative spin on everything. The school has improved and changed, that is the reason why we are off of probation. I attend many meetings with alumni who are very successful and even own their own businesses. It is negative and hostile people like yourself that bash peoples dreams, especially students that are attending here, and employess that work VERY HARD to help the students. We have to make our numbers because we want to support the school and the programs here so the school is continually successful. Career services do have contacts with employers because we have job fairs in the building where employers are physically present in the building. Most likely you will not put this on your website because you are stting at home unemployed and obviously have alot of time on your hands to deicate your whole life to bashing aiu.

2/16/08

I think the person who wrote the last post is missing the point of this website.  You can’t argue the fact that AIU is probably the lowest quality school available.  They use deceptive practices to enroll anyone they can, they pass anyone, and they charge extremely high prices because they know students will be using loans (with high rates). The person who took the time to make this site is doing the public a great service.  By revealing the school for what it is, it prevents people from wasting their time and money, and more importantly, it puts some pressure on AIU to improve its quality.  I know that many of the lower level staff at AIU probably do care about students, but that doesn’t make it a good school.  Everyone needs to ask themselves this: Is AIU the best option?       

2/20/08
Can someone tell me why did former CEC/University Group president, Steve Fireng, and chancellor of CTU Colorado Technical University JUST QUIT!! He laid the foundation for admissions practices, being the former VP of Admissions at AIU. A chancellor with a BS from Northern Arizona????????????????????????? SOUNDS OUTRAGEOUS!! Sounds like AIU/CEC.

Now they have a president there from Wrigley; I'm sure he knows how to run a group of colleges (at least he has a credible degree)...look at the school nearly all managers have degrees from AIU or CTU, degrees received AFTER they became managers, so they pressure students to enroll, then enroll themselves.

2/20/08
DO NOT WORK FOR AIU. THEY WILL CHEW YOU UP AND SPIT YOU OUT. YOU COULD BE THE BEST EMPLOYEE IN THE WORLD AND YOU WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH. THEY RECRIUTED EMPLOYEES FROM OTHER STATES AND MAKE THEM RELOCATE AND NEVER TOLD THEM IN INTERVIEWS THAT THE SCHOOL WAS ON PROBATION. NOW THEY ARE ABUSING QUALITY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE SUFFERING DUE TO AIU POOR REPUTATION. EMPLOYEES ARE ALSO LEFT WITH NO JOB AND INCREDIBLE DEBT AND BILLS, UNEMPLOYMENT, REPOSSESSI0N OF CARS, NO MONEY TO CARE FOR THEIR FAMILIES, ETC.......

2/26/08
Everyone needs to keep in mind that CEC and AIU send people to write positive comments about the university on sites like this. They know it is a scam, but it makes them money. We need to keep educating people about avoiding scams like AIU. Some good employees do get caught up in this mess, but AIU ruins their lives just as well. I would know.

3/03/08
 I need to find a name of a lawyer that has sued AIU previously. They have Stolen my money that I have worked hard for. Veterans, They are refusing to give us the credits we are supposed to be recieving Watch how you get close to finishing then they change your credits. They blame it on the paperwork, yet after I transferd I recieved more and better credits for my military expierence. I need a good lawyer for this!!!!

3/7/08
I suspect this site was created for some good reasons. In the computer age, we are in a fight for REAL DEGREE DIPLOMA vs FAKE DEGREE DIPLOMA. CAMPUS vs VIRTUAL SUCCESS. There is a bitter fight with scare tactics and propaganda to veer individuals away from certain schools of online learning. I think it is great that people have an area to vent, but the creator of this site and all of us should be careful not to conclude misleading information to individuals about AIU or any other school, unless we have concrete evidence at hand. I can understand someone being upset and reporting or telling others, but some people have had a great experience at AIU, UOP, and other institutions that have bad comments on the site. Each experience is different and my heart goes out to any misfortunes. I have a TRADITIONAL Bachelor of Science Degree and I'm strongly considering achieving my Master of Science online. To be factual, all higher learning advisors and administration usually have degrees in business, because all higher learning institutions are "for profit" and are ultimately "a business" just like any other business in the world. They are offering an education and marketable services, Right? When someone finds a free of tuition school, call me. I could really save on my Masters. There isn't a school diminished from flaw that cannot be placed on probation for the slightest unmet conditions. If a school meets the necessities of the US Department, then they are accredited and I doubt any employer would turn away a U S Department accredited degree. If so, they are idiots, because most employees don't have a traditionl or online degree for that matter. When it's all said and done our children in the future and mostly all schools(even highschool, and elementary) will be virtual in some regards in just a short time. Then what will empoyers, students, and other angered "for profit" schools in competition benefit from trying to put any degree or school in the "inadequate school pages of the worldwide web" Accelerated means just that, faster and more intense. I believe most any basic degree (not including any field of Doctorates, they need efficient practicum, etc.) can be earned in a year or two as long as you earn each degree in a respectable order and earn it through a high standard curriculum and educator. Most universities prolong education, not just for the assurance or sake of a student's adequate education, but for financial gain also. Anyone that has been through college can probably relate to what I'm saying. When I contacted AIU, the first thing they asked was did I have at least an Associates to apply, becasue at first they thought I wanted a Bachelors. Although I have a higher degree, it was already initialized if I didn't have an Associates I couldn't apply for a Bachelors. Now, I don't know about you, but most colleges online or traditional institutions don't do this. This could be a good or bad thing. Some will see it as holding a higher standard of entry into an educational institution and some will see it as bank robbery. Beware though, sometimes this is used in order to make more money from innocent first-time students that really desire a Bachelors Degree, but not yet have the Associate level completed. This could be an attempted tactic used in marketing to ultimately make more money overall from an individual student if they decide to continue their Bachelors after gaining their Associates through the same institution, because of strong encouragement through faculty and administration. Last but not least, here is a link to check out some REAL TRUTHS about US Department higher learning institutions. If you ever have a question about any school, investigate it here http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. Keep in mind that institutions aren't obligated to have a listing with the U S Department of Education, but it is wise to choose any school that is. This will help you to achieve more from future employers and educational opportunities. I apologize for any typographical errors. My time was very limited to make this post. I think this site has its purpose. It does encourage people to investigate universities before applying. Everyone keep sharing thoughts and using your own abilities and minds to select the right institution regarding your own individual preferences and expectations.

3/08/08
I worked for AIU Online, and it is a scam. I enrolled people into programs that they didn't even want. I felt bad for this, but hey, when they are giving you $40,000/ year with only a HS education, it was hard to turn down, until I learned it was all BS. If you wanted to be a nurse, I would enroll you into a medical billing and coding program. If you don't get seven enrollments a month, you are gone. It is hard enough to even get 3! You being unethical is implied. "Advisors" are almost all 23 years old, and do nothing but smoke and drink and get high. The "manager" or "Director of Admissions" is just a good salesman that did good in the past when it was easier to enroll these suckers. 98% of EVERYONE I spoke to on the phone and had to call 3 times a day were complete idiots, and I knew they would fail. They were not ready for school, or were just stupid. 40k a year will make a person in their mid 20's do almost anything, like call hundreds of people a day 3x a day and do anything to keep getting that check! Beware of this school. Oh, if you are called by a "Senior Advisor" they need to get 9 enrollments a month, and they are the best at screwing you, that is how they got the word senior in their title. They will talk down to you to make you feel like you need to improve yourself. If you get a call from anyone at this cult, tell then to put you on the DO NOT CALL list right away, or else they call you again and again anyways, I used to do it then just hang up when they answered because it was the only thing that brought an ounce of joy to my day in that hell hole. They will grant unemployment to you when they fire you for performance though, so if you suck long enough you can at least get something back out of there. Their stock (CECO) just closed today for less than $14 a share. It was around thirty just months ago. Bad things are going down with that place so be careful. It does cost the company roughly $50 for every inquiry that is sent to them from outside sites, so if you want to screw with them a bit just request info (not from their site directly) under a fake name and number, and it's $50 bucks out of their pockets every time you do it. Any questions for me? Post them here, I will be straight forward, honest and to the point with you about ANYTHING. I know that place inside and out.

-Joshua

3/20/08
My question is for JOSHUA that posted 3-8-08. I hope you will see this question. What if I want to go to school for Business at AIU? I already have a degree and know the status of AIU's accreditation, which is with goodstanding with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and not up for review again until 2011. Do you think it would be a mistake for me to enroll if I am already experienced in higher learning? Just wanted to know, because I haven't seen the Business program anywhere that AIU offers. Thanks for your help.


3/29/08
Class Action Against AIU

 

The case is for FRAUD. If you want to join it... the class action against AIU LA was settled for 12 million. This one is for any AIU students to join.  Here is the action document:

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/freshloaf/files/2008/03/complaint-in-class-action-aiu.pdf

You need to contact the lawyers directly and tell them you want in on it if you are eligable
here are the lawyers dealing with one of the cases

http://www.wargofrench.com/

and here is the link to the last one where they paid out massively!

http://www.braunlawgroup.com/consumercase.php?ticker=13

3/30/08
After reading all of your comments, I have decided that i will stay clear of this school. Thanks. I currently have two Bachelor's degrees from a top 10 university and i was looking into this program for my husband who is a military veteran and works full time. He is now interested in pursuing an online criminal justice degree. I like to research before making decisions and this site has been extremely helpful in helping my husband and i make a decision on this school. Thanks again...and yes we are being called every week... which i really didn't like especially after i had told the rep that i needed 3-4 weeks to make up our minds since we are now going through a family illness/tragedy and explained that the online school was not really a priority at the time being until 3 weeks so that we can get stuff sorted out, despite me explaining the situation she continued to make an appt for this monday.. and not listening to my special request of waiting.. which had me researching now.. and clearly explains why the persistance... thanx a million for saving us a future pain/headache with this school.

4/1/08

I work here at the Hoffman Estates, IL location. I will say that there were many things that I disagreed with especially when I first started. Since then my feeling towards admissions has not changed. The script has changed, but the agenda has not. However keep in mind that throughout all of our probational changes and efforts that if anyone is to blame it is our Accreditation body and Dept. of Education. Changes were made to fall in line with their values and standards. Now that we have met those guidelines we are being attacked again by you.

Which brings me to the point that as students go through the admissions process you need to understand that it is not our fault that you signed on the dotted line. You can't point fingers if you were the one who agreed to attend the school. Yes, I agree our extreme tactics in placing too many phone calls is a bit much, however the ball is in your court. In addition, remember that you have the internet at your fingertips. You have decided to attend an online school in general, because you can work at your leisure and still go to work and support your family. So, upon singing on the dotted line, won't you take part of the blame by accepting that YOU did not do your research and homework before signing? There are tons of different schools out there where all you have to do is type in "best online schools" on the google search engine. All will become clear.

In addition, our mission and values supports the student who would not otherwise be accepted in other schools. So those of you who have stated that you hate the school and feel angry towards the various things mentioned throughout this site, for example your "debt" you need to be grateful that you were given this opportunity. NOt to mention that you are most likely just frustrated that you didn't research, and now you are faced with a large bill. Just so you know I do have a Bachelor's degree and my tuition was $42 grand per year and I attended school for 5 years. The average price for attending college in the 21st century is $35,000. So, $30 grand is acceptable in this day in age, live with it! We all have student loans to pay off!!!! Don't think you are the only ones paying student loans! Discover what you are really angry with and leave out the excuses.

ON the topic of career services. Hiring practices. Poor Management. Period. But on behalf of the people who work there, they are nothing BUT qualified. Nearly all advisors in this department have at least an Associates degree. NO, you don't have to have a Master's just because you find that other shools ask for one. This means nothing. Anyone can learn how to advise and discuss career tactics and strategies. However there is always room for improvement. I partly blame the overall feeling of budget budget budget. Which takes away from the overall training and knowledge sessions they could be doing. On the flip side, it seems that the alleged investiations placed on this location and on career services was the doing of an angry ex-co-worker or an un-informed wanna be. We no longer have "placement rates" we have employment rates which has been approved by SACS and the Dept. of Ed. Also, advisors are assigned to degree programs to better assist the students looking for employment in those fields. We received an extremely high approval rating by the stduent body which deeply surprises me that you went through the trouble of creating a tab on this website dedicated to career services. You have been sadly misinformed of the career services practices which you may want to confirm your sources or reconsider your "evidence". In my experience career services is the only department that will defend the student. Keep in mind that students reach the department upon graduation. This is not our decision but the upper manager's. We have a VP who knows NOTHING about career services and DOES NOT Belong in Student Affairs. He comes from a position in admissions and therefore promotes a "sales" mentality, and just gets by the hair of his chin.

I also want the readers to understand that the typical students going through these programs are completely unrealistic in their goals. It is one thing to go back to school to just get your degree, but it is another when you go to school and an online school at that, to get a degree in an area that is completely in trouble in the employment sector. What are you thinking? Honestly, how can you blame career services for not assisting you properly when you are 1. not working for yourself and 2. keeping unrealistic goals. These are the usual two reasons why people don't get jobs.

On hiring practices. I will say that the hiring practices should be addressed. Upon hire, it was a friday which is "casual day". I came in a suit and my interviewer came in jeans a wrinkled sweater and a tossed up pony tail. My second interviewer was nothing short of a benched softball player. Insert sarcasm here. But please understand that most of these issues stem from extremely poor hiring practices. I know that "dress" is somewhat immature or "low", but first impressions are important. If you come off casual you will only attract casual type people. And this is where I believe, has caused many discrepencies in behavior and tact amongst employees.

On the comment regarding Steve Fireng. Steve was the reason why we were in trouble to begin with! Since Gary McColloughs induction, he has been cleaning house and Steve was of many to be "let go". Understand that by firing Steve it has moved us in a more stable direction than ever before. Steve started the school because he saw dollar signs, and hid behind the ficade of providing educational opportunities to a diverse student body who wouldn't get this chance anywhere else.

My point in writing this is to make sure that you are placing blame on the right people and not the ones who are the result of untrained and inexperienced managers. We try very hard to protect ou r stduents. We believe very heavily in our stduents and want to do everything IN OUR POWER to ensure we are exceeding your needs. 

4/2/08
Wow, where do I even begin on commenting on the last post.  Of all the chat boards, blogs, and websites about AIU, this person summed it all up (directly and indirectly) about why AIU is such a disastrous corporation.  The best way to respond to this is to dissect their argument point by point.  This is going to be fun!

“However keep in mind that throughout all of our probational changes and efforts that if anyone is to blame it is our Accreditation body and Dept. of Education

What?  SACS and DOE are to blame, for what?  If it wasn’t for these organizations AIU and other like schools would just be diploma mills.

 “So, upon singing on the dotted line, won't you take part of the blame by accepting that YOU did not do your research and homework before signing? There are tons of different schools out there where all you have to do is type in "best online schools" on the google search engine. All will become clear.”

 

 

Yes, thank you!  You have just admitted that AIU is not the best option.  That if students did their research (like finding this site) they would not have attended.  So AIU’s business model is based around the hope that students don’t know how to use google.  I wonder how many MBAs it took to come up with this strategy.   After that comment, I really don’t have to continue, but it’s fun, so I will.

 “our mission and values supports the student who would not otherwise be accepted in other schools”

And why wouldn’t they be accepted at other schools???  Maybe it’s because they can barley READ AND WRITE!!!  Many of the students have no business being in college.  There are tons of jobs that don’t require a college degree and one can make a good living, but then AIU comes along and fills there mind with false hope, like explaining to them the benefits of having a college degree and my personal favorite, “don’t you want a better future for your kids”?  But this is America so everyone should have the right to get a college degree, it’s called COMMUNITY COLLEGE!  If someone screwed up in high school they can get a second shot at the good old community college and then transfer

 “So those of you who have stated that you hate the school and feel angry towards the various things mentioned throughout this site, for example your "debt" you need to be grateful that you were given this opportunity.

 “Given this opportunity”?  I don’t think they were ever given an opportunity, more like aggressively sold a liability.

“Just so you know I do have a Bachelor's degree and my tuition was $42 grand per year and I attended school for 5 years. The average price for attending college in the 21st century is $35,000.”

You spent 42 grand and five years on your education and you now work at AIU in the Career service dept..Ouch!  I’m sorry that was wrong of me.  You are correct higher ed is expensive.  We have tons of fine public universities that now offer online classes.

 “But on behalf of the people who work there, they are nothing BUT qualified. Nearly all advisors in this department have at least an Associate’s degree. NO, you don't have to have a Master's just because you find that other schools ask for one. This means nothing.”

Associate degree???  So if I graduate from AIU with a MBA the person helping me find a job and giving me advice has just an Associates degree?  How is this person going to have knowledge of the job market, current hiring practices and trends, job qualifications, business terminology, personal positioning, and self-marketing?  Of course a fancy degree is not going to make you a pro at this, experience does.  Does your ring leader or whoever is in charge of employee development and training have HR experience?  Is anyone certified in resume writing? Yes, they have certifications and all professional resume writers have them.  How many workshops or conferences are EVERYONE required to attend per year?  Are you really providing students with expertise or just street knowledge and common sense?  If it’s the latter, then why are they paying you all of this money? 

 “We no longer have "placement rates" we have employment rates which has been approved by SACS and the Dept. of Ed.

Do prospective students know what the difference is between the two?  Is it CLEARLY noted on the website and explained by the sales reps.  See you have to understand why this is such a big deal (this is a big part of the current class action).  Students who come to AIU come because they want a good JOB.  They are not coming for the intellectual stimulation.  So if I am Joe Bob, the factory worker from Tennessee and I see that AIU has on their website that 80% of the business majors - or whatever it is - are employed after graduation that looks pretty good.  Joe Bob thinks that he has a good shot at improving his quality of living by just investing a year or two at the computer in between Nascar races (sorry, I had too).  Joe Bob is never told that employed means any job that pays a wage.  I know AIU “tries” to count only those who are working in their field of study, but you know that “employed in field” means many things to many people.  How many in that 80% have jobs that don’t require the degree they just spent lots of time and money getting?  Joe Bob also learns that he will have career professionals helping him after graduation to help him get a GOOD job.  I guess that associate degree makes you a professional.  After Joe Bob hears all of this he says to himself, (insert southern accent)  “it’s time to get my education on at AIU!  Sure it’s expensive, but my friend Anton-the charming admission advisor who just wants to see me succeed in life- told me that I can get loans.  That’s fine because I will be making the big bucks once I get my fancy AIU Business degree.  Honey, let’s start looking for that double wide” (again, that’s wrong, sorry)

 

 

Our friend Joe Bob and many others like him across the country are getting misled by your “employment rates and false claims”.  You may think that by dealing with the graduates you are not doing anything wrong.  You may think that just “Admissions” are the ones doing the dirty work.  Think again, you are all cogs on the same vicious corporate greed machine known as AIU.  You are just adding fuel to the fire.

I understand your frustration.  I’m sure you and everyone who works in all of the student services took the job because you wanted to help students and education is something you value and you wanted to be part of it.  I respect that.  But this website was not made to attack you.  It was made to inform potential students about what is really going on.  And while some of the details might be off, the big message is that AIU IS NOT THE BEST OPTION.   With tradition schools adding online programs every day, what is the advantage to going to AIU.  I can see this school disrupting many people’s lives.  $30k-$60k loans are no joke especially when you can’t get a good job and a degree can’t be returned.   Sure it’s partly their fault for not doing their research and having unrealistic goals, but AIU should not be taking advantage of these people.  AIU targets these people (see what stations they run their ads on).  They also like to push people to get higher degrees than they need.   How many of your students have MBAs and zero business experience?  What about a Master of Education and zero experience in a classroom.  And then there are the criminal justice students who think they will be doing CSI work.  How and why is this happening?  Is AIU looking out for the best interests of their students or shareholders?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your thoughts.  I can tell that this is something that has been bothering you.  I know that you work very hard to help your students and the management makes that hard for you.  The best thing you can do is simple: leave.  Not only that, tell others about AIU and prevent them from getting caught up in it.  AIU will not last for long, how long, depends on how many people take a stand and follow their heart.  For-profit education is a shady business right now and you don’t have to be part of it, I know your better than that. 

Do the right thing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4/3/08
So, why did you choose to go to AIU? If there are so many fine universities out there? Maybe to you working there is an "ouch", but there are people who enjoy there jobs even though you may not think a $42 grand per year degree co-relates with working at AIU. We build many great relations with students and fight for them as much as we can. We don't always agree with the decisions made, but you can't point fingers at people who make money through a Univerisity that you happen not to like. We have families too and lives to prepare for just like you. Don't make our lives miserable because you just want to make a mockery or a quick buck.


4/3/08
The tone of this message board is turning from informative to argumentative, which is not what its purpose is.  However, I feel the post above has expressed some deep emotions and deserves a response. 

 

Again, let me reiterate what was said before, the point of this site and the comments on it are not in any way intended to mock, degrade, or make fun of the employees or students of AIU.  I apologize for some of the smart ass comments that were made.  Also, let me assure you that a quick buck or any buck for that matter is not being made here.  This is why you don’t see ads on the site.  In fact, the site is running at a loss (hosting fee). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So why would people take time and money to create a site like this?  Because it’s our right and obligation as Americans and humans.  I have talked with too many people whose lives have been hurt because they were persuaded into buying a degree that they should have never bought.   Selling someone an ugly pair of pants or a bad car is one thing, but selling someone a $30+ thousand dollar degree that can’t be returned and giving them false hope is another.   The saddest thing is that I bet the majority of your students are not wealthy, many are probably poor, and when they finish AIU they probably become poorer. 

Look, everyone has the right to buy whatever they want, but the seller should provide the buyer with enough information so they can make a rational decision, especially when it comes to something like education.   That’s what being ethical and moral means.  Without people taking a stand and exposing the truth businesses will have very little reason to act ethical.

Folks, will are living in a sea of information; information that we, the consumers, can control.  We must use this to our advantage and not take crap from corporations, politicians or anyone.   Information is power and the power is finally in the hands of the people.  I’ll get off my soapbox now and end by saying that this site is not trying to make your life miserable,  if thats how you feel you can blame AIU for that. 

You, your co-workers and us all share the same goal: to help people better themselves.  I hope we can all do this.  Thank you

 

4/07/08

 This is a response to someone (who did not mention their name, probably an AIU Online Employee, Sr. Advisor...(LOL) who asked me a question on 3/20/08. It is clear from the tone of your post that you are testing the validity of my claims, so I can not tell you what to do. The school is in good standing with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, that is true. What can I tell you? This is information, and the information YOU are seeking. It would be just as wrong for me to tell you to go to AIU or not as an advisor will tell you, after all I was an advisor. I will no longer be the one ruining people, nor helping them, as I do not work for the company any longer. I think a degree from NIU, SIU, Mich. state University is where you really should go, of course that is not always an option for working adults. I WILL tell you that everyone knows, and or should know that getting a degree from AIU Online, DeVry, ect is more than likely laughed at when a respectable employer is checking your educational credentials regarding your future employment. MY PERSONAL opinion is that ANY degree online only proves you can sit at a desk and computer, look stuff up online, and make it into a paper that an over-worked "professor" can grade whatever he wants. Earning a degree online does not prove or add to ones person per se, for example things such as teamwork (real team work, not instant messaging another "student") and overall social skills and HUMAN INTERACTION that is in my professional opinion a necessary skill for someone who is looking for a business degree. This, I am absolutely positive that you agree with this as you already have much business experience already, at least educationally. To sum it up for you sir or madam, I think that this is a decision that you yourself need to make, not hop on a message board and ask someone who you do not know, something that will impact your future greatly. Please, and well, since you have so much experience, you need to educate yourself and find out what is right for you. I have given my opinion, which is to go to a state facility (NON-PROFIT), but I also do understand that that is not possible for every person. If you ran, well, let's say Disney, AT&T, Apple, Microsoft or IBM, would you want a graduate from a mediocre online school in a position of power at your business, whom you most likely may not be convinced of them having something as basic as having common REAL WORLD, REAL LIFE social skills and real human interaction? I know I had a few "Director of Admissions" and "Student Managers" at AIU Online that had no idea on how to speak to a person, and were very, very unprofessional. So in conclusion, nameless person, who really wanted an answer from me, you need to find out for yourself. If the things you read on this site are an indication, I would say go to a real school, even a community college at the least, but the decision is completely yours, and nobody else's, so I wish you the best with your future endeavors. If I can help you in any other way, please let me know sir or madam. Also, if you in fact, do NOT work for AIU, I do apologize for the assumption, but I think it was warranted seeing my interpretation of the syntax of your post to me. We all have our thoughts, and after 2 years at AIU, I was brainwashed as well for a while. :) Have a great day. -JOSHUA

4/07/08
 am glad that I didn't believe anything that the two admission reps said and the admissions manager said. All I was looking for was information on AIU and they where trying to get me to enroll, just like that.

I am however considering other online schools, but I may actually stick with were I am at for now. It sounds safer.

The admissions manager was trying marketing strategies on me, but because I have taken a few business course at my brick and mortar 4 year college I was not buying into the accelerated and we need you to apply and be enrolled before you can attend.

I will never contact AIU again, and I have block them from my email.

Thank you for all of your reviews of this place.

4/08/08
 I work with a girl who got two Bachelors degrees from AIU, and is convinced that it is the number one school in the country. I currently attend Columbia College which is a good school. It is a not for profit school, and is both regionally and nationally accredited. I couldn't understand how she finished her degree so quickly. She is always making snide comments towards me because it is taking me quite a while to finish. AIU gives 9 credit hours per class. That is how people graduate so quickly. They also charge hundreds for each credit hour. All other colleges give 3 credit hours per class. That is ridiculous. I took Business Ethics and got 3 credit hours while she got 9 credit hours. That is absurd!

4/11/08
Some people say that you can't find a good not for profit online institution, but you actually can if you take time. AIU admissions manager told me that if I didn't enroll with them and was concerned about financial aid then maybe I should stay where I am, I should put that in quotes but that was it paraphrased because of how bad he was talking down to me.

He told me that I shouldn't worry about where I wanted to go. And that I would need to enroll and be taking my first class before they would consider finding financial aid for me, and won't evaluate my transfer credit until I was enrolled, but I have found that some colleges out there will evaluate your transfer credit before you attend. One such college is Baker College Online, which has 14 campuses in Michigan and is a not for profit institution of higher education.

I feel sorry for anyone that gets caught up in AIU's deceptive practices.

And with the cost of tuition going up and private loan people not lending much these days, you have to go through the loan processes first and then enroll otherwise you will be unable to pay for college unless you have money already set aside.

I didn't even complete the application, note: I did start it while I was on the phone with them, I stopped and didn't finish it. They sent me email messages and I blocked every single one of them I will not be attending them ever.

Oh, to the person who posted on 4/08/08, the college I currently attend (it's not Baker, I am looking into Baker, but I am not attending them yet), but the college I attend now has a few courses that they let the instructors teach only 5 chapters out of a book that has 15 or more chapters in it and say that the students understand computer programming. They don't even understand how to program a basic calculator to do basic calculations like add and subtract, and they are suppose to go out their in the real world and understand how to do computer programming. That may be why that person you stated above finished so quickly.

4/13/08
 I attended AIU in 1998 at the Atlanta-Dunwoody, GA, campus for the Master of Information Technology program. It was terrible. One class was so bad most of the students threatened to leave the program and AIU dropped the tuition for that class to keep us there. I really learned nothing at AIU. I see my degree from AIU is as useless as I always suspected it to be. We should have sued them back then. It sounds like the new parent company is worse than Bostic and his crowd of incompotents.

4/21/08
Just to let everyone know, I've contacted the law office handling the class action lawsuit against AIU and the only ones who can join the class action lawsuit are those current or former students of AIU's Buckhead or Dunwoody Georgia campus. Anyone wishing to purse a case against AIU Online would need to contact a attorney. I am a AIU Online alum and you know, if anyone out there is interested in pursing a case against AIU-Online, I would certainly jump on board. Thank you for this site!!

4/30/08
Preface: I have worked for AIU Online before. I do not think the school is the anti-Christ. I also do not think they compare to private schools or even several public colleges. I would go with somewhere close behind state schools but a good deal ahead of community colleges.

A couple of truths about AIU (only can speak for the online division):

-The university did have numerous bad practices which is why it was rightfully put on probation
-Many of those practices were changed and improved which is why they were removed from probation, but some of those still do remain
-All advisors are required to have an Associate's at least and managers must have a Bachelor's degree now
-There are quotas for the number of students that you enroll in a month and the number that start school
-Usually if you are actually qualified you typically can hit these without resorting to unethical measures and while enrolling students that the programs are a good fit for
-Most jobs where you are dealing with a "product" you have to meet some level of success or you are no longer desired at the company/institution
-Unlike some schools, AIU advisors do not receive additional compensation for students that they enroll
-Many employees have left for that reason and gone to schools with lower quotas and more financial benefits for enrolling students

-Many advisors do actually care about their students and helping them achieve an important goal of theirs
-All advisors however do not care about what happens to you which tends to speak more about the person than the school
-AIU Online's curriculum is much more geared for its demographic than traditional school and many online programs
-You can get your degree faster since you take a limited amount of electives and work off of a lock-step program
-AIU Online does not offer programs like nursing, behavioral psychology, or an A.A. in Elementary Education which really should not be offered (and can't honestly be taken online w/o a physical component) like many other online schools

Basically, I would say that AIU Online is a pretty good division of the school now. If you are looking for a Top 10 school then go to one. But let's be realistic, most people going into school late either could not get into one of those schools, do not have time to go brick and mortar, or are looking for a shortcut to their degree. Don't blame the school for your own shortcomings. And don't believe that a community college or a junior college is equivalent because frankly they are not. I personally would recommend a private institution over all others myself, but to each its own.

I really can?t speak much for past policies (especially when they originally went on probation since I was not at the school then), however, I have heard that they were extremely shady. Admissions (mostly), admissions helping with F.A. documents, not enough teachers, not cancelling student within 24 hours of a request, etc. Students that were burned by the school back then have a right to be mad and take action if it?s appropriate. However, every student that got a bad grade or had a classmate that didn?t do their worked doesn?t deserve an apology.

Can the school do more to be a more complete university? Definitely. Have they made many of the necessary changes to get to that point? I think so.

Once again, I'm not even a real advocate for the school. Just trying to give a fair estimate. I worked there for a year, it got me from point A to point B and then I moved on. The curriculum is not "top-tier", not all employees of the school are knowledgeable enough or friendly enough, but if you can find one where they all are then sign me up because I am looking for a place to get my Master's. Good luck
Jon

5/02/08
The truth is it does not matter where you get you degree, but what you do with it. I agree that admissions are weak and pushy at AIU. I agree that there are easy grading teachers due to the pressure to meet enrollment requirements. All this is true, but they happen in every business. Yes, it is not fair that a student at UCLA pays 3x more and goes to school 3x longer, and at the end we accomplish the same degree. However, I could not get into UCLA; I could not even pass the GMAT. Does that mean I do not have the right to advance my education? I appreciate these kinds of schools. Let us not bash fellow students for wanting to advance there education. The problem that we are discussing is the business ethics of AIU or lack of business ethics.
Overall, I am completely satisfied with the teachers and education that I am receiving. I could not get into any other school and I am grateful to have the opportunity from AIU to accomplish a higher degree. In addition, I have taken the online classes and classes on campus and I get enough HUMAN INTERACTION, and, half the people in the program are working adults that are in the business environment. For what I paid (compared to all the other over priced schools) I feel that I deserve this degree. Just wanted to give you guys a different point of view.
-May 08? MBA graduate at AIU-Los Angeles

5/02/08
 I graduated from AIU,Buckhead BFA program in 2006. Unemployment still seems to be a problem. I have not received any response from employers in my field of Visual Communications. I have recieved little to no help from the so-called career advisors. When I arrived at the campus for employment assistance, they seem to be running away from alumni,it was like they did not want to help. I am doing what I can in temporary work. I am thankful for your support group. Please keep up the good informing research. Don't stop the fight. 

5/02/08
I almost just had an interview with the staffing agency for AIU Online for an Admissions Advisor, and because of you all, I've canceled the interview. I had been suspicious of the job from the get go but now with all of you expressing your regretable experiences my fears are confirmed. Thank you for being so informative about AIU's practices. 

5/13/08
I am a current AIU student and the funny thing is that I found this site while doing an assignement for one of my classes. I too have noticed that they do let anyone attend these classes. I have had to ask myself what the heck several times because some of the people are completely not college ready. I wanted to comment on the AIU employee that responded on 2/16/2008 that I believe was trying to state that you have nothing better to do than dedicate your time on this site. ( she spelled it wrong) I guess you too received an AIU degree. I am really upset about the lawsuit not pertaining to AIU online, but I am going to ask them for my money back and go from there but I am keeping you in my favorites.

5/14/08
To the person who posted on 4/21/08, how can I find out more information about the class action lawsuit?

I wish i would've seen this site before I enrolled at AIU Buckhead, but instead all i saw were the fancy commercials and billboards that were everywhere. DON'T FALL IN THE TRAP! Don't get me wrong I've learned alot at AIU but what i've learned is definitely not worth the cost. Not to mention the school doesn't offer any extracurricular activities, and even if it did that would probably cost us to. Im in my senior year and the only reason I'm still there is because I'm stuck. I don't want to lose credits being so close to the end. I'm already thinking of the financial hole I'm going to have to dig myself out of when I'm done.

5/14/08
Go to http://www.wargofrench.com/ for more information 

6/10/08
I started attending AIU from 2001-2003; I left due to financial hardship, and returned 2007 hoping to finish and get my degree that is costing a "grip" in loans. I am currently paying on the $2500 balance I owe to AIU {due to the purchase of another laptop ($2100)}. I recently sent an email to the payment collector @ the school to find out how many classes I needed to take in order to finish and get my BBA. I am now concerned that even if I decide not to re-enroll to AIU what will happen to all my credits? will I be able to apply these credits to a non-profit school? I just want to have something (worth having) to show for all of the money I will have to pay back. It seems "unfair" that one would go through all of this frustration and hard work and at the end of the day have a degree from a school in which seems to have no real world value. My other question is, in the event that you get a degree from a college/university and that school loses its accreditation, what happens to your degree? Is it just like any other piece of paper out there or what????


6/13/08
Thank you for all of the information all of you have provided. I am looking at furthering my education and was considering AIU. This helps. One comment I would like to make is to the person that stated that an online degree is not as good as a traditional university. My only comment is that I have been in management in many levels and have hired many. I have yet to have any diploma state it was received from an online or traditional college. If a phone call or fax is sent to the university, I have never seen it mention if the degree was received online or at a brick and mortar campus.
Thank you all for posting these comments, it will help in my decision.

6/28/08
I did not know of the negative side of AIU,I am scheduled to start in July 7,2008 as of now i'm nervous and thinking about withdrawing.I am a retired Marine Veteran and I do not want to waste my time.Should I stop now or see for myself? Honestly!

7/12/08
My degree programme at AIU was a bad joke from start to finish. From the initial high pressure enrollment sales pitches, to the no-show classmates, or classmates that couldn't speak, read or write English, to the Financial Aid people who constantly locked me out of classes, and the worthless IT staff that couldn't fix login problems.

The whole experience was one that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

7/17/08
My niece attends a small private accredited college in the states and is excited because she was "accepted" to do a quarter of study-abroad at the AIU in London. I don't see any comments about this location on this board. Do any of you know where I can find information about the London branch? She's telling me that all the courses will transfer and she is of course now trying to get me to co-sign on a loan so she can get to London for 10 weeks in the fall. Any advice? She is a great kid, almost a 4.0 English major. I think she's blinded by going to London and I'm excited for her, but now I'm scared after reading all this. She takes her course work very seriously and I would hate to have her thousands of miles from home and thinking that it's a joke. Please help if you can... Worried Auntie N

7/25/08
 I am a graduate of AIU Dunwoody and I can agree with all the other posters on this website. AIU is a rip off. The financial advisor makes you believe if you apply for a signature loan that any money left over from the end of the quarter will be. Well after checking with Sallie Mae the other rip off. I was told AIU only made 3 payments towards the loan, so what happened to all the other money? I have put a call into the Financial Advisor but I am sure she will have a long story about the money and how i really didn't receive that much each quarter. I have records and someone is going to give me some answers. AIU is a big rip off. 

8/06/08
Wow, after reading all the comments I'm glad to know that I'm not the only victim of AIU's lies!!! I just talked to the person handling the case, she sounds very serious in her attempts to do whats right. Although I'm sad to hear that no one is taking action yet for those of us who attended AIU online. I did not go to a campus, I went through the "virtual campus", what a joke that was! If someone knows of someone trying to take action for those of us ripped off online, please post it on here! I would be first to join that group!!

When I was suckered into attending AIU, I was a single mother working TWO FULL time jobs. They had me believing that AIU was the quickest and best way for me to insure a good future for my child. I was sold on the idea that I would actually get to spend time with my child after I got my degree.

Yes I am working one job now and I see my son every night, but my job placement was not based on AIU, it was based on my years of experience in the company.

AIU has ruined my life. I cannot even get a home loan because my debt/income ratio is off the wall. I'm even considering going back to working two jobs. The second job would be applied to my students loans and nothhing else. I'm hoping to not pay as much intrest over the 15 years I'm scheduled to pay on my loans.

My son's dad and I get into fights all the time about my student loan debt. Yes I'm not a single mom anymore, I'm back with the dad. I can't count the amount of times he's told me that he just wants to leave me because we can't go anywhere in life now that I have the debt from AIU. (Yes I should leave him if that's how he feels, but this is not about my relationship with him, this is about the hardship AIU has caused in all areas of my life)

I hope something is done, AIU is a cold hearted SCAM.

8/08/08
I agree that AIU is a very bad school. I received my Bachelors from AIU February of 2007 and I still am having problems getting the financial (bill) straight all because they claimed I was in another school at the same time. I currently owed them money even after speaking with financial aid, an outside ombusdman, and the Dean of AIU. My total cost for education 45grand, my employment can't even get a minimum wage job here in california, and to top this all of my thoughts are still priceless with a different way of learning...(how to cheat the other person). I do have my AS degree that I received in Oklahoma at a brick and mortar school that did offer online courses to help the student.

My story about AIU is all about how none of the departments work together. Ranging from Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Admissions, and so forth. I know about the scheme of what you are approve for. Because you can check out the status of the award letter which changes every week. Not receiving what the award letter saids. Call them on it and they say there is a new one being develop because something did not go through. My case it was my PELL grant and parts of my Stafford loans. Being a college student already I knew how these financial awards work-most of it goes toward the cost of tuition, and books; however there is supposed to be enough left over to help with other educational needs at home. But with AIU this did not happen. They sucked my Stafford and Unsub Stafford dry, and I was placed on Probation for the Pell grant because they claimed I was in another school at the same time.

So now I have 10grand sitting in collections that turn out to be a cash agreement that I did not sign, I do have an actual signed transcript of credits, but no diploma because I owe money.
I find now that when I am looking for jobs I do not even put AIU in the Education part of the application--I used NORTHERN OKLAHOMA COLLEGE.

For anyone thinking about going to school...stay with the bricks and mortar Universities/Colleges (they do offer distant learning or online education and it is called WebCt).And at a 4th of the cost of AIU.

I too would like to be a part of any class action lawsuit against AIU (just to recover my cost so I can get my degree before I am old and gray...been fight with AIU ever since I started.) By the way no one who has a title at AIU as an Advisor stays very long you always get a new one because of some issue. FA, SA, Admissions Advisors within a month I had 8 of each.

TRACY (CAYWOOD) BRIDGEWATER

8/09/08
Man I just sent an application in 3days ago. After reading all of the comments I think that I'm going to tell that school to suspend/cancel my application and act like I never applied cause the amount of complaints on this site are ridiculously large. Thank you so much for this site. You saved me time, money, and my life.

9/24/08
I'm glad that I found the site before I e-signed anymore documents in AIU online. It really informed me of the tactics that they were using on me. I too was searching for how to balance work and education by applying online. I came up on the site that has online degrees. But I didn't really know fully what the school offers so I typed my name, address and telephone number to get information from the school. 24hours later I got a phone call from an advisor from AIU Online. We had a good conversation. She laughed at my jokes, and she said that she will call me back to set up an appointment with her on the Tuesday. Tuesday came, went online and fill out questions. She gave me a student ID number to access the site, password and said that I was enrolled in school. To me, I thought it was kind of too soon to be considered a student and it was the application fee process. Because I haven't filled out at FASA or send in my transcript yet but I was excited to think that the school was so easy to get into but I have a lingering feeling of scepticism.

The whole weeklong so I started asking more questions about the school itself, how much is for tuition, how to get my books and the turnaround time in getting a bachelor's degree. My biggest concern of all was to attend school without paying loans I wanted to pay for classes; my advisor laughed at me and told me that no student that she came across ever pay out of pocket for school. She instructed me to fill out a FASA form to see where I qualified for to pay tuition so I did. My advisor instructed me to fill out my taxes and other forms that were located within the AIU online admission section. I only e-sign the loans quiz that they have for student to understand about loans and options chose. I said to myself why do we want me to take a quiz on getting a loan? The advisor that I was dealing with also instructed me to sign a loan, sign all documents and sent to them immediately for processes for classes. I waited for while a weeks to be exact. She called and asked me what the hold up on the forms? It doesn't take financial aid department to process you. I told her that it will take me time to get my transcript in the mail. After she asked the question about the forms with a snappy attitude, I got suspicious and did not care for attending AIU online any longer. Remind you I didn't sign any document that will legally bind me to any financial debt to the school. So I started to search about the facility of AIU and found a lot of disappointing student and ex employees. Now I made a conclusion that I didn't want to enrol with the school. I call my advisor the next morning and told her that I want to un-enrolled and stop all process of enrolment and refund my $50 application fee. She did not take that well. She tried her best to keep me locked in by saying that you just can't unroll without a reason. And she's the only one that can grant that. She told me that she would give me a call on the weekend. I typed an e-mail message, and made phone calls. The Advisor called me Monday morning trying to strike an argument with me I simply said that I had changed my mind about applying to the AIU Online, that I found another School that is in my field that can help me save money, She was very vexed and try to corner me in what I have told her about paying for school out of pocket, Which I did find out that it was too expensive to do anyhow and that you have to sign too, She Lashed out at me and called me a Liar, all I was trying to do from the start was to get information on the school I never ask to be enrolled.

She took it upon herself to enroll me or to think ahead of herself. They still are sending Message to my e-mail account saying to finish my financial aid forms and Taxes. And I still get calls on my phone from them. Do you think I am out of the Frying Pan? or Not to be concerned with them?
-A Concerned Person

1/27/09
I AM WRTITING THIS IN MY CLASS AT AIU.. BIGGEST MISTAKE EVER!!!! DO NOT ATTEND AIU.. THE WORST SCHOOL BIGGEST RIP OFF! YOU WILL PAY FOR CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP!! I HATE IT!!!!

THE FACULTY AND ADMIN PERSONELL ARE ALL LIERS AND EVEN WORSE.. THEY ARE IDIOTS!!!!

2/3/09
Man i was just about to send in my application to attend the Florida AIU and i was talking to the lady named Mary and i was asking about the housing and she was telling me that they looked like......... brand new hotel suites.. I doubt it, but im glad i found this web site and i just changed my mind. I think i'll stay at ITT-Tech.


2/16/09
Just when you thought they were on the right track to doing the right things, the new ownership is now stepping in and turning it back into the boiler room it once was. They even have signs up that tell you who is next to receive the next lead. Yes, I said lead because it is now called a sales floor. That's right, at AIU you get sold an education. If you have 50.00 or work for an ed partner company you will get in as long as you go through the interview. You don't have to take it serious. Trust me, I know with the budgets now 10 students a month they will let anyone in. They may not be as shady as they used to but give it some time.

2/16/09
I get about 15 calls a week now. I think they must have a 3 call limit a day. Either way I made the mistake of answering. Now, I get calls all of the time. Their reps must have it rough because they seem to always be there. "Servicing" students as they put it. What a joke. I heard they are also, changing their accreditation so that they can go back to the way they were or with a more relaxed accrediting body. I guess they don't want to tell students or potential students they are plannig on changing either. again, what a joke. I am so glad I did my research and didn't enroll after spending an hour on the phone with a sales guy from their admissions department.

2/19/09
I would like to thank everyone who spoke out against this school. I am suppose to begin next month, and the admissions guy is suppose to call me today to finish up my fiancial aid paperwork, well im going to tell him today that i know of his school, i know that they were under federal investigation, and to rip up my application. Thank god, I didnt even lose the $50 fee. So thanks again everyone, and a job well done to everyone who contributed to this page. (except the people defending AIU)

2/23/09

Dear Sir or Madame,
 
My name is Chanel Walker and I saw your website and AIU had exahuasted my finacial aid, and did me very dirty and truly mislead me.
I would like to start a student class-action lawsuit against AIU-online campus in Hoffman estates,IL. If anybody interested, Give them my email  and let them email me at peace200917@yahoo.com. I tried post a comment on the page, but it was not going through.
 
 
Thank You,
Chanel Walker
2/27/09
I am in the same boat as Stacy Bridgewater. I graduated BFA 05, I haven't gotten a transcript or a Degree because I owe them $13,000. I started AIU at the Weston, FL campus, then decided to go to online when I decided to relocate. The first hint something was totally wrong was when they told me I would hav e to start the Program over, that AIU campus is a different school from the Online campus. I blame myself for continuing with them, however what I can't understand was that the Tuition amounts differed. My classmate was actually paying 10,000 less than I was and she had a balance but not only got her degree but continued straight on to do her Master's Degree with them. I don't know but if there's a case being brought up on them I sure want to be a part of it.- Totally annoyed

In March of 2006, I spoke with a representative from AIU Online about enrolling in the online program. We discussed how I went to Springfield College for a year and did not go back because I had a baby. Also how I went to Springfield College for free because my father works there. I also explained how I was looking into online school because I did not have the time or babysitter to go back to a 4 year school. After discussing my past schooling and the pricing for the degree, I decided it was not the right time to commit to something so expensive because I explained that I am a single mother of a three month old baby. I told him I had no income at all that I was not working nor was I receiving any child support. Then he kept pressuring me telling me that they could get me grants, not to worry. When I got the grants I told him they were not enough, that I would still owe too much to afford. He then continued to tell me that he could get me more help with financial aid and he could get me all these grants. He told me he would give me a call back once he got some more information. He called me back and told me I got approved for more grants. So I enrolled in the online school. I called him back one week later to see if it was too late to drop out. I explained that it was too much for me to do with a new baby. He told me it was not too late to back out but he kept pressuring and pressuring me to stay. I kept telling him I wanted to drop out and then he placed me on hold, then a lady came on the phone and explained her story of how she had three kids, worked full time, walked to school everyday and finished with a degree. They pressured me to stay and basically refused to allow me to drop out. A few months later, I could not pass the math online. After failing the math a few time due to the pressure of my life (a newborn baby, young single mother, unemployed) I had to now drop out of the online courses. In the mail I received payment books from Sallie Mae and Wachovia, both with over $100.00 monthly payment. I called AIU Online and spoke with them about this matter because I never signed and document about getting a loan through Sallie Mae or Wachovia. I was under the impression I was getting grants. I was a young single mother to a newborn who is unemployed, I would not be able to afford loan. Also my father works at Springfield College where I could have went back for free. I asked AIU to send me all my documents they had on file for me and they would not do that. They did send me the promissory letter from the student loans, which do not have my signature on. In the beginning of February I started getting phone calls from Wachovia and Sallie Mae about a past due payment that was due in February. I spoke with Wachovia in the beginning of February; they put my account on hold and told me to send them a letter explaining what happen. In the past two years I’ve spoke with lawyers, AIU Online, Wachovia and Sallie Mae and have not been able to take care of this matter. I am not sure how to pursue this. I feel like AIU Online took full advantage. They pressured me into staying with the school. I told them I was a new mom, single, no income and I am now getting billed over $200.00 a month for student loans I never signed for and kept telling them I could not afford loan. That’s when the kept telling me I was getting grants. Also I was told someone at AIU would work with me and help me get a job after I get my degree. I was also told my credits could be applied to any school which is not true.

 

*Melissa Boivin*

Travelers Customer Advocacy Group
866.336.2077

mboivin@travelers.com

 

3/13/09
Greetings everyone.
As a current AIU-Online student, many issues have come up which have impacted me directly. I enrolled in August, 2008 for an ABA degree with a focus on visual communications. I was excited to say the least. Now, I am going to withdraw halfway through my degree.
At first, I was willing to believe that my attention to detail, grammar, punctuation, and formatting was far-fetched. However, I started to feel like I was reading the works of 14-year old under-educated children; this was clearly seen in AIU's project environments known as Discussion Board Projects. On these DB assignments the student is supposed to post an essay, usually 3-4 paragraphs in length - in standard APA format. I was seeing people post random sentences, lists, and sometimes even project submissions that bordered on plagiarism.

Then, we're required to complete a group project every single course regardless of the course subject. Over the course of each project, at least one student per project shared that they had a 4.0 GPA - sure enough, their names were located on the Dean's List. This was a major problem as those students were unable to form a complete paragraph, let alone an essay. There is the very high likelihood that students are being allowed to skate through on free, easy 4.0 GPA's, Dean's List status, and fast useless degrees.

AIU's refusal to issue physical text books to students in the Associate?s Degree programs is yet another problem. AIU doesn't offer the OPTION to purchase a physical text-book. Their response is, "You can always purchase the physical text book out of your own pocket from other sources". However, AIU takes and siphons $100.00 on average, per e-book. This $100.00 grants access to an e-book during active enrollment. Once the student no longer attends AIU, they can?t access to these "rented" e-books.
Last, but certainly not least, AIU utilizes a cookie-cutter structure for all assignments. For example, all assignments for Unit 1 in College Algebra are identical across ALL College Algebra classes in AIU, for Unit 1; word for word, number for number. Additionally, every single question, if copy/pasted into Googles search, pulls up a word for word answer, available for free to the public. AIU?s cookie-cutter strategy almost enforces plagiarism by making it possible for students to easily cheat from one another as well as find the answers online.
Suffice it to say, AIU may have made some improvements since they reacquired their current accreditation, and yes, those improvements are minor. Regardless, AIU is precisely what I?ve read through research as well as what I have witnessed firsthand. This, coming from a student who has not lost money or been ripped off? but by a student that is successfully withdrawing without penalty. We?ll see how that pans out after the withdrawal process is completed.

3/13/09
Welllll?I have been going to school at AIU since April 08. I am currently enrolled and to graduate this Nov 09, but I think my time is coming to a disturbing end like so many others that have posted on this site. I was fine until the school told me I had reached my loan limit for this 2nd academic year and that I had to pay 4000+ out of pocket and to try for private loans to take care of it. I have yet to start paying these self agreement payments and am 3 months behind. I received an email stating if I dont pay soon, my classes with be locked where I cant attend anymore. I reached the school yesterday and asked what other options I had such as placing payments on hold which they said no of course. I am stuck with nothing to do and pretty much just waiting till they lock me out. Other than that, I did find some of the classes not challenging at all with the instructors always giving an ?A?-no matter what. Seems as if they are told to make the students feel good by letting the slide through only to just be let down later at the end. I am also upset to know that if I were to complete my time at AIU in November with a BA degree, that it wont be recognized the same as from a tradtional school. :(

3/24/09
I was debating between this school and another one. Fortunately i called the education office on a military base and asked him about the two. He politely informed that although he legally couldn't tell me which one is "better" he did say that AIU had almost lost their creditdation..!!!WARNING!!! Red flags went up every where. Myself like many others i assume, trusted the consuler from AIU although a bit pushy still seemed trustworthy.

Come to think of it any questions i asked about the school in itself the consulor directed me straight to the official website, barely answering any questions. Needless to say after really researching the school...i've decided to go with the other slightly more expensive online college. I'm glad i researched before i jumped in with a blind eye. Thanks to websites like this one i got all the information i needed









 

 

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