For profit school - what recourse do I have?

[Cricket602]

I went to a "For Profit" school.My choice for doing so was because of the hands on experience. I graduated from the program in June of 2014. Since graduating I have been having trouble finding a job, and I somewhat expected that because of my lack of experience in the field, as well as not being certified yet (I'm studying for the test.) As I was looking at one job ad and the qualifications needed, I was unaware of how to perform the duties asked.....I went through all of my textbooks to see if it was taught, and sure enough it was in one of my books. This specific teacher that I had who was teaching the class, didn't actually teach. I was an ambassador for the school, which meant I, as well as other ambassadors, were held to a higher standard (grades, professionalism, etc.) There were certain competencies to be taught for each class, all of them different from another class. This teacher didn't teach these competencies at all. He would pick and choose what he felt like showing the class and on top of that, he had the ambassadors doing it. I was one of them....he had me read over the boxes/directions of CLIA labs (in house labs) and demonstrate to the class how to do them even though I wasn't sure if I was doing them properly. On top of that, these labs didn't have anything to do with the competencies we were supposed to be taught. Actually, the only time he followed the book was when he lectured and the chapters in the book didn't discuss the competencies because those were to be done in lab (hands on). I had this teacher for 2 classes and after going through my books and the competencies we should have learned, there are 24 competencies that I wasn't taught.

I was really unhappy with the school the last 3 or 4 months of classes, but decided to stick it out because I had come this far. I recently found out that the school I attended is being forced to close/sell by The Department of Education for questionable teaching practices. On top of this, I keep checking with the company that will provide the certification test and as of today (10-13-2014), they still haven't received my transcripts. I have already gone back to the school and have spoken with the registrar the first time I received this notice which was about 2-3 weeks ago and still nothing has changed. At this point, I've graduated, I have my diploma, and I'm responsible for the loans. I am so irritated with this school and would like to know what recourse I have. I do not necessarily want to go back to school for another 2 months because their staff failed to teach properly. I busted my butt in that class to pass, but unfortunately class has nothing to do with lab. Many of my classmates can vouch for my teaching them how to do labs in class, as well as 2 other ambassadors placed in the same position, not to mention his not following the competencies required to be taught for the class.

 

[army judge]

If you have any recourse, you might be forced to pursue your recourse/remedy via arbitration.
Read your enrollment documents, contracts, student handbooks, everything.
In most cases, arbitration is your only recourse.
If you are free to pursue other remedies, speak with a couple local attorneys and discuss your dissatisfaction.
The DoE, might offer some guidance, as well as your state's DoE or AG.
If BK and/or DoE legal action is going to shut the school down, there may be no help for you.
Your two federal senators and your local congressman or congresswoman might be of some help.
Write them and tell the your story.

 

[Cricket602]

Thank you!! Yes, I went through my papers and I did initial a Jury Waiver and Agreement to Binding, Individual, Arbitration. I really don't know very much about law, from what I read, it sounds like it's a sit down discussion with both parties. Is this fair for both parties? The school is nationwide and is being forced by the D of E to shut down 85 out of 93 or 97 campuses and I've heard somewhere that they are also being sued by them as well for "predatory lending." I've heard rumors abut a class action suit, but I don't want to be a part of that, I'm not sure if I could really. I am not looking for money or to get rich from this. I do however, think they need to remedy the situation somehow. I am very frustrated with them.....I wasn't entirely taught what I paid for, I feel like my teacher used me to do his job, and I'm still waiting on my transcripts to be transferred. Each class was about $2000.00 - is it out of the question to ask them to reimburse my loans for those two classes or am I asking for too much? I really don't know - I may be basing too much on the principle and my frustrations along with my personal feelings.

Again, thank you! I would not have thought to look through those papers!

 

[disagreeable]

Refer to the FAFSA and DOE web sites. Generally, when they shut a school down, there is a period of time they go back and eliminate all gov't loans as charge-backs to the institution upon filing of an application by the student.