Complaints

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:02/27/2024

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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 am a graduate student from the ***** branch of Art Institutes. I requested an official transcript from Studentclearinghouse.org as the ************* suggested on their website of closed schools here: *******************************************************************************. The transcript was requested as part of a teacher certification requirement with the state of ********. The same day I ordered the transcript, after receiving a confirmation of the transcript ordered by the Studentclearinghouse website. A few hours later, I received a notice that ************* cancelled the transcript request and received an email from the Art Institutes, saying: "The Art Institutes have ceased operations. Your request was cancelled in the Student Clearing House database because we are unable to locate your transcript in the records we can access. We apologize as we are unable to fulfill at this time." At this time, I an unable to move on the process of a job requirement due to this situation. I do need the official transcript to be sent to the ******** ***** of ********** ******** State ***** of ********* Educator Effectiveness E-240 *******************************************************************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/21/2023

  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.

  I have seen several other complaints similar to mine, which is concerning! I have a new employer doing a background check through HireRight and The Art Institute has neglected to respond to their request for graduation verification, even though they sent all associated fees and release forms. The website states that it will take 21 days, it has been 35 days. This may jeopardize my employment and it is unacceptable! There is no contact information listed anywhere online, other than a P.O. Box. Tens of thousands of students spent millions of dollars attending these schools, it is unbelievable they are not even around to verify attendance and graduation. Please provide an assistance possible.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/26/2023

  Hello -

   Thank you for this information. As you may know, Federal student privacy law prohibits an institution from releasing student information to a third party without the student's signed permission to do so. We have attached an authorization to release information (FERPA form) to this message, should the individual choose to complete it. In the meantime, we have reached out directly to the individual to answer her questions. Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/26/2022

  Type:Customer Service 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 Arts Institutes International, LLC ATTN: Academic ********** ********** ** *** *** ********* ** ***** No one ever to contact with only a written reply stating they have no record of **** ********** I was a graduate of Art Institute of Colorado, (formerly Colorado Institute of Art) I have been trying for years to get a copy of my diploma, to thus prove I am a graduate from: The Arts Institutes International, LLC They just state that there is no record of **** ********** yet I graduated in September of 1980. My Mother can validate it and two other graduates ******* ******* and **** ************  I NEED Desperate help, without it I can NOT get a job please help, there must be somewhere that this is on record

  Business Response

  Date: 08/29/2022

  Hello -

   Thank you for passing this along. Please note that The Arts Institutes International, LLC (AII) is not affiliated with the closed campuses. However, upon their closure, AII agreed to fulfill transcript requests when that information was available. AII does not process diploma requests. Those requests go through a company called Parchment. The website listed below includes all available information regarding transcript and diploma requests. 

  www.artinstitutes.edu/closed-school-information-page

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/29/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
  
  Regards,
  **** *********

  I am waiting until i can get a copy of my diploma, sent $44.50 plus money sent since 2019, it seems I'm wasting my money
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/06/2022

  Type:Sales and Advertising 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 attended Ai inland empire San Bernardino from jan 2017 to sept 2018. The school closed and I am trying to transfer to BS degree and they are saying they don’t have my transcripts or making it impossible for me to obtain them through parchment. Com also I need them. I had straight A ‘s for almost 2 years

  Business Response

  Date: 08/11/2022

  Hello -

   Thank you for this information. The Arts Institutes International, LLC (AII) is not affiliated with the closed campuses. However, upon their closure, AII agreed to fulfill transcript requests when that information was available. AII is also not affiliated with Parchment. All available information can be found at the closed school website listed below. 

   

  www.artinstitutes.edu/closed-school-information-page

   

  We have reached out to the individual directly to provide this information and answer any questions. Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/06/2022

  Type:Delivery 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.

  Both I and the University of North Texas (UNT) have been waiting since March 25, 2022, for my transcript from The Art Institute of Dallas Visual Communications program, a process that was supposed to have taken about 30 days. Because the Associate of Applied Arts Degree was issued in 1987, the record of my course credits had been passed to the care of an Iron Mountain document storage facility who has apparently lost my transcript. It wasn't until 3 months after the order was placed that I and UNT were notified that there was a serious problem locating my transcript. I must have an official record acceptable to UNT so that they can build the most efficient degree plan possible for my needs. I can forward all e-mails related to this issue. Thank you

  Business Response

  Date: 08/15/2022

  Hello -

   Thank you for this information. As you may know, Federal student privacy law prohibits an institution from releasing student information to a third party without that student's signed permission to do so. We have attached an authorization to release information should the individual choose to complete it. In the meantime, we have contacted the individual directly to address any questions or concerns. Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/26/2022

  Type:Sales and Advertising 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.

  School shut down in 2019, had finished 1 degree and was in the process of a second degree. Upon school closure the State of Washington's Board of Education had ordered the school to provide students with 5 free transcripts, instead the school ignored the state mandate and is now demanding we pay $15 per transcript. They are almost impossible to reach, and will only respond if you fill out a form for buying a transcript, and when they do reply they are rude and aggressive. For paying over $98,000 and then having school closed the least they could do is provide the transcripts so we can continue on with our lives.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/29/2022

  Hello -

  The Arts Institutes International, LLC (AII) is not affiliated with the closed campuses. As a courtesy upon their closure, AII agreed to fulfil transcripts when that information was available. All available information regarding transcript requests is at the following website. We have reached out to the individual directly to relay this information. Thank you.

  Closed School Information Page | (artinstitutes.edu)

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/07/2022

  Type:Delivery 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 reached out to the Art Institute of California - San Francisco prior to their closing to obtain a copy of my transcript. I was a student from 2006-2009. I paid $15 for a copy and never received in the mail. I now am going through a background check for a new job and need a transcript. I went online requested a copy and paid $30 for 2 copies since I didn’t receive the first time. It says it takes 3-4 weeks but I am desperate and now need them Much sooner. I need resolved quickly since it’s already been 4 years since my original ask.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/09/2022

  Hello -

   Thank you for this information. As you know, Federal student privacy law prohibits an institution from releasing student information without the student's signed permission to do so. We have attached the FERPA form should the individual choose to complete it. In the meantime, we have reached out directly to answer any questions. Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/30/2022

  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.

  I ordered a transcript Transaction Id* ******** to the University of Kansas. Karen, from the registrar is asking me to pay for a transcript from each college attended. One transcript lists all courses applied to the degree plan and conferral. Courses are not transferred to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh because AI is one system. Karen, replied that she is sending a transcript for the Chicago location and I never requested that I clearly put in the memo degree matriculation. Karen is telling me I need to pay again another $15 and resubmit. The Art Institutes. LLC is taking advantage and manipulating the situation because I attended multiple locations.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/08/2022

  Hello -

   Thank you for this information. As you may know, Federal student privacy law prohibits an institution from releasing student information to a third party without the student's signed permission to do so. We have attached an authorization to release information should the individual choose to complete it. In the meantime, we have reached out directly to answer any questions. Thank you. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/20/2022

  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.

  I'm a former student of the Art Institutes of Pittsburgh (Online Division). I recently applied for a new job and my new employer used HireRight, a background check service, to verify my degree. HireRight mailed the required forms (the request form and my FERPA consent form) on 5/20/22 along with the required $10 check for the processing fee. My start date at my new company was 6/13/22 and even though there was plenty of time to get the information processed, my background check was still pending completion prior to starting my new job. Fortunately, my employer allowed me to start at the company despite the fact that my background check did not clear from the education standpoint. On the closed school information page, it says that the processing time is 21 days to complete. As of today, it's been 31 days since HireRight submitted the request by mail. Needless to say, this lengthy processing time is completely unacceptable for any student, looking to get their college degree verified by their prospective/new employers. It causes undue stress and reflects poorly on the applicants and it's really not fair.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/22/2022

  Hello -

   As you may know, Federal student privacy law prohibits an institution from releasing student information without signed permission to do so. We have attached an authorization to release information to our response should the individual choose to complete it. In the meantime, we have reached out directly to answer any questions. Thank you.