Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Milan Institute's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Milan Institute

  2345 W. Beech Ave. #4139 Visalia, CA 93277

• 

  Milan Institute

  6500 S Mooney Blvd Visalia, CA 93277-9535

• 

  Milan Institute

  780 Loughborough Dr Merced, CA 95348-2626

• 

  Milan Institute

  7001 I-40 W Amarillo, TX 79106

• 

  Milan Institute

  2822 F St Ste H Bakersfield, CA 93301-1800

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/09/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  i have been waiting on my financial aid to be released because my car has broke down and i live 45 miles from school and i made the school aware of my situation and because i was missing hours becaquse i would have to leave early because public transportation stops 2 hour s before i would get out of class i have been trying to contact fa office and no return phone call nothing department of education has released my financial aid to them knowing my situation i thought they are suppose to help you but instead i get a text saying you should just withdraw because you missed hours but i lost everything to the boral fire in ca and i really need to get my car fixed to make it to school i stressed how important it is to me that i complete my program and they just dont care i love cosmetology and im willing to go evevyday to catch up on my hours if i need to i just need my funds to be released its past the 45 days

  Business Response

  Date: 03/11/2025

  Dear BBB,

  Thank you for allowing us to respond to the concern from Ms. ******** I am pleased to inform you that our ************************ did not have any record of the student trying to reach them for answers, however after her inquiry to BBB we were able to research her file and can share that her 1st pay period for her program has been processed and entered on her ledger. The credit balance for her first payment has been processed and will be deposited into her *********** app by Wednesday 3/12/2025. If ****** has set up her *********** app per her enrollment guidelines, she will have her credit balance by 3/12/2025. Please reach out to us if we can assist further, and again, thank you for contacting us. -Milan Institute 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/11/2025

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** *******
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/26/2025

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I originally filed a student report to Milan Institute about an instructor harassing me on their website.After the complaint, nothing was done other than the director suggesting I get to know the instructor ******** better. After the harassment escalated with some of her students siding with her & beginning to harass me. I was told to report all incidents to the Director ******* so I did. I documented every moment I was being harassed by Milicents Students : ****** and *******. It never got resolved which resulted to those girls yelling at me on February 24th 2025. Those girls were allowed to stay to continue testing whereas I was told to go home. The following day I was informed by the director that I was not a good fit & was withdrawn from proceeding with my education. There was never justice for my reporting of all the harassment I was receiving at that school. At the end it resulted in ***************** chose to defend the instructor & the disrespectful students who were just as bad as her. Now I'm stuck with a Financial Aid ****************** on $300 dollars worth of things I used to pay out of my own pocket to attend school such as Clothes, **************** equipment. The school failed me & showed me how corrupt & bias that Institution is. I need help getting justice, I shouldn't have to owe Financial Aid for such an unpleasant experience within Milan Institution. Thank you.

  Business Response

  Date: 02/26/2025

  Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to respond to this student concern.

  We thoroughly investigated the claims and there was not supporting evidence to substantiate them. More recently, there were concerns at the campus after some interactions with other students and staff, and we concluded yesterday that to withdraw Ms. ****** from the program was the best course of action as she was in violation of our Conduct Policy.

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/15/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The school is refusing to recertify attendance with the VA due to not wanting to impact their withstanding with the VA. The cosmetology program was supposed to be completed on June 18, however, due to various factors which are at fault from the school itself, the individual was not able to complete the program on time and is still currently attending the program. The school is refusing to recertify attendance so that the individual can continue to get their financial assistance from the VA. Several attempts to address this issue with the financial aid office, and the Director of the school have been made with no outcome. Complaint to the VA is also being submitted.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/20/2024

  To Whom It May Concern,

  Thank you for allowing us to respond to the complaint. VA students are to complete on their contracted scheduled end date. The only time we are able to recertify the students are when they take a leave of absence or request a session change, at which time the expected graduation date changes. Upon looking at the student's file, we see that neither of these scenarios occurred here,  Therefore, we are unable to recertify.
  Regarding this particular student, while we cannot share details publicly due to privacy requirements, the campus has been actively working with the student regarding her academics, and she has been made aware of what is needed to ensure she progresses on schedule towards the completion of her program.  

  Thank you again for allowing us to respond.

  Milan Institute

  Compliance Dept

  *********************************

  ************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/22/2024

   I am rejecting this response because no attempt to ensure that the program was completed in a timely was made prior to that date. It was only until several weeks later that any attempt was made.
  
  
  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/04/2024

  Thank you for allowing us to respond to the consumer's complaint.

  The student is working directly with the campus management at this time, and while it is up to the VA to determine what they accept and allow,  we are working with the student the best we can to assist her. 

  Thank you,

  Milan Institute

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/04/2024

   I am rejecting this response because no attempt was made to ensure that the program was completed on time. The student was not put on an action plan until two months after she was supposed to have completed the program. 
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/04/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Have been trying to get my esop payout for several months. At first there was no return communication, and now the payout has been delayed several times. The last time was supposed to happen February 15th. I submitted required documents as requested in January. Communication has once again ceased.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/08/2024

  Hello,

   

  Thank you for contacting us and allowing us to respond to complaint # ********.

  Milan Institute's ************************** has been in with the complainant. We have requested information from her and will be able to resolve this as soon as she provides us with that information.

   

  Thank you,

  **************

  Compliance Auditor

  Milan Institute

  ********************************* ************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/08/2024

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  I have sent the documents three separate times, and received a confirmed email receipt of documents in January. 
  

  this esop was supposed to be paid in 2023. Milan is constantly giving excuses and postponing the disbursement. 

  Business Response

  Date: 03/12/2024

  Hello,

   

  Thank you for allowing us to respond to the complaint response from *************************************.

  ************************ is on an expedited distribution list, as our ************************** informed her of yesterday. We are awaiting an ETA, however, we are at the mercy of a 3rd party at this time.

  Thank you,

  *****************************

  Compliance Auditor

  Milan Institute 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/29/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Hello, I was a student at Milan Institute in ******* **. On the date of September 19, 2023 I arranged a meeting with the lead instructor on campus to discuss and bring a few concerns to their attention. Sanitation, teacher professionalism, as well as concerns regarding my initial course and what it entailed. After this conversation she advised me that I would have to speak with director of the campus as she is unable to be of much assistance. I specified to her that after numerous attempts I was having no luck reaching him to schedule a meeting. As each time I tried he was said to be in a meeting. After this meeting I returned back to class at which ******************************************************** from there, stating that Director was now available for a meeting. Im not quite sure as to what was relayed as the moment I entered his office I was greeted by a very unpleasant demeanor which made me feel very u comfortable. He was very aggressive and unprofessional. After this conversation I felt hopeless and just left it alone. 2 weeks later on September 25, 2023 I received a letter stating my enrollment had been terminated and I was no longer able to finish my course. I dont understand this decision at all, Im not getting any response to my emails stating my concern of being unaware of the issue at hand as to why I had been terminated to begin with. I feel very discriminated against and this is very unsettling. I have invested so much of my time and efforts into this program and I feel this just doesnt make sense. And to not be able to get any response when I request an explanation just seems unfair.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/04/2023

  Hello,

  I would like to address the concerns raised by ************************
  
  According to the campus records, there is no record of the student attempting to contact or schedule a meeting with the Campus Director until September 19th, 2023. On this date, both the student and her father met with the Campus Director. Regrettably, during this meeting, the student was found to have violated the school's Conduct Policy due to unprofessional behavior.Consequently, she was withdrawn from the program.
  
  Please feel free to reach out if you require further information or clarification.

   

  *****************************

  Compliance Auditor

  Milan Institute 

  *********************************

  ************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/23/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  It’s ridiculous that this place can be called a school. They don’t teach us anything. The instructors tell us to “simulate” dying hair, putting hair relaxer on, & do bleach or anything hair related. They have us “simulate” with a hair cream. How are we supposed to learn anything if we’re told to put conditioner in hair and pretend we’re performing a service?? They even had us use that same hair cream to “simulate” waxing eyebrows on our manikins. It’s beyond ridiculous. I constantly ask instructors how to do a service and I’m told to go on YouTube and find a video. Or to “simulate” the thing I’m struggling on. How am I going to learn if I’m not actually performing anything right? I was taught to do a chemical facial by hold a cup a few inches away from a manikin head and “simulating” light therapy since they don’t have the machines. I pass all of my test and I have great attendance. I engage on my day online and ask a bunch of questions and I try to ask instructors on my days on campus. Sadly, this doesn’t get me the help I need. We never have products to use and are constantly told to pretend we’re using the real products and to pretend we’re performing the service. It’s complete false advertisement. It’s not hands on at all and it’s a complete waste of money. As someone who loves cosmetology, I’m baffled that so many people are not being taught ANYTHING and no one is speaking up about it. I want what Im paying for. I signed a contract that promised to provide me the tools I needed and the education I needed. Not a paper that said teachers will tell me to watch something on YouTube and to pretend I’m doing the service. I want to contact licensing, I need the number. This is aweful. I want a refund. My tuition should have went to a program that invests in its students. I have my contract if needed.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/06/2022

  Hello,

  
  

  We take our students concerns seriously…we are actively working with the student on her concerns, and she met with her campus director as recently as 10/5/22.  Due to privacy protocols, we are unable to talk about the student and her personal situation, but please be assured we are working with her with the sincere goal of resolving her concerns as quickly as possible.

  Regards,

  
  

  ********* *****

  Compliance Auditor

  Milan Institute 

  
  

  ************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/06/2022

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  I made the dean aware of how I was mislead into my contract, stating I was only interested in doing nails and that if there was no program available, I’d look somewhere else or if they were going to have a program for nails in the future, I’d wait. I was told there would be no nail program in the future and that they teach nails in depth in the cosmo program. The cosmo program covered nails in two weeks. One week was theory (class/book work) the next week was to learn all things nails. In two class days. That’s not in depth. If I would have known this, I would have never signed as that’s not “in depth” as I was promised. There is now also a nail program and I was told they wouldn’t have one in the future, if not I would have waited. I spoke to a student in that program and she said she had been waitoing for it for over a year. I was told they wouldn’t have a nail program, if I knew there was a nail program in the works, I would have waited as I was in no rush. I wanted to specify in nails as I stated to multiple instructors. I brought this up multiple times to different staff and was told I’d have to drop and apply for the other program if that’s what I wanted to do, but still pay off the cosmo loan. I mentioned how I was told I’d learn nails in depth and that’s not how they teach in this school. Two days in class is not enough or considered in depth, had I known this from the start, I would have never signed. Also, had I known they were getting a nail program in the future, I would have waited or went somewhere else to find a nail school. I’m currently on leave waiting for answers as I was told that they apologize for my experience and that they’d see what they can do for me. We didn’t start in the mail module when I first started school, had I started there and seen that’s what they did for nails, I would have left right away. But since we started in hair cutting and that’s a 4 week course, I didn’t have the opportunity to be able to drop. I feel I was misinformed and mislead into the contract by being told they’d teach me nails in depth in the cosmo program and that there wasn’t going to be a nail program in the future I could wait for and now there is. Ontop of the lack of supplies and the way we are taught (watching YouTube videos) I haven’t learned anything and I don’t know how to do anything, despite passing all my tests and having good attendance. I feel we are paying for the certificate and not a good education. They shouldn’t be able to lie to students to get them into the program like they did to me.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/13/2022

  Hello,

  
  

  We are sorry to hear that the student is not pleased with her training. When she enrolled, the elements of the program were explained to her.  She acknowledged receipt of the campus catalog and program outline that details the hours and breakdown of the program.  We are confident she was made aware of the hours and activities that would be part of the Cosmetology program.  

   

  The student has met with campus management and has been offered a transfer into the Manicurist program to focus more on nails.  She is not currently an active student and has refused a transfer.

  
  

  Thank you,

  
  

  ***** ******

  Compliance Director, Milan Institute

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/14/2022

   I am rejecting this response because:
  
  I was given false information on how the program worked and was mislead into believe I’d be learning hands on as advertised. I am a current student and am on leave due to babysitting issues I was having, I have not dropped or withdrawn. I was told if I transfer into that program, I’d still owe the entire balance of the cosmo program. I do not want to transfer because I am dissatisfied with the way the programs are run and the lack of hands on teaching and lack of products for students, not the program itself. I mentioned from the beginning I was only interested in nails, that I’d wait for a program or go elsewhere to look for training. I was mislead into the cosmo program, promised by staff that I’d be taught in depth to do hair, skin, and nails. The programs are barely in the process of being switched to 1,000 hours where the chemical facials/facials are required. So the requirements are still on our sheets showing that we need those practicals and the machines have never been working or fixed since I’ve been enrolled since January. Not all students are transferring to the lesser hour program so those practicals are still required and we do not have the equipment for it. We are told to simulate/pretend the service is being completed. Previously the business replied saying those practicals aren’t required but they are for the students that are doing the 1600 hour cosmo program, not all students want to transfer and some of them can’t because they passed 1,000 hrs so they have to stay in that program and they don’t have those machines to used to do the practicals hands on as advertised and stated by the staff. I was promised a good education and was told by staff I’d have a lot of practice and hands on training and that I’d learn in depth to do all cosmo subjects and I have not. We have NEVER received manikin hands which we are supposed to have to practice. I had been asking for one for months and was given the run around, that they’re waiting for a shipment, they don’t have any yet, to wait a while longer, then finally that we don’t need them because it’s not required to do the practical in state board. I don’t understand how we are constantly being lied to by staff and how they can get away with misleading students into the programs. I waited 10 years to go back to school because I wanted to be sure I knew what I wanted to study, when I found my passion and I was sure of it, I started looking for nail programs. I was promised a good hands on education and was told I’d learn in depth to do nails and all other things and I haven’t. I mentioned to staff if there was a program coming in the future I’d wait and I was told no. Now they have a manicure program and one of the students told me she waited over a year for it. Had I been informed, I would have waited or gone elsewhere as well. I was lied to multiple times, don’t have the equipment or products needed to do my practicals, and am being told I’d have to pay everything for the cosmo program even if I chose to transfer which I don’t want to. If this is how they run their programs, there’s no way I’d want to be in any other course at this school. It is not hands on as advertised.