ComplaintsforPenn Foster

• Initial Complaint

  06/14/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company is charging me for services I did not request or owe I’ve never attended penn foster and they are charging me 2500 dollars and reporting to my credit this place should be closed down I’ve been harassed by phone by these people telling me I owe money to them when I don’t

  Business response

  06/20/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name *************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******* concerns. **************** enrolled into the Veterinary Technician associate degree on December 5, 2022, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the agreement as well as **. ******* signed proof of High School completion form.
  On January 13, 2023, **************** sent an email from the same email address that she provided to the BBB requesting to withdraw from the program. **************** was replied to on January 18, 2023, with her cancellation terms and was offered some alternatives if financials were difficult. **************** replied on January 21, 2023, and was answered on January 24, 2023. I will include a copy of the email interaction.
  Due to the information **************** provided to the BBB, I closed out the account on June 20, 2023. The account was closed according to the contractual cancelation liability **************** agreed to. **************** will need to speak with the collections agency directly to resolve her financial obligations.
  Penn Foster devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at *************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

  Business response

  06/20/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name *************************
  Student Number: ********
  

  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******* concerns. **************** enrolled into the Veterinary Technician associate degree on December 5, 2022, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the agreement as well as **. ******* signed proof of High School completion form.
  On January 13, 2023, **************** sent an email from the same email address that she provided to the BBB requesting to withdraw from the program. **************** was replied to on January 18, 2023, with her cancellation terms and was offered some alternatives if financials were difficult. **************** replied on January 21, 2023, and was answered on January 24, 2023. I will include a copy of the email interaction.
  Due to the information **************** provided to the BBB, I closed out the account on June 20, 2023. The account was closed according to the contractual cancelation liability **************** agreed to. **************** will need to speak with the collections agency directly to resolve her financial obligations.
  Penn Foster devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at *************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  06/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for the debt with penn foster or ***** corporation I do not have a contract with any of them and they did not provide me with the original contract as i requested

  Business response

  06/06/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name *******************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. *********** concerns. ************************ enrolled into the High School diploma program on March 15, 2022, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the agreement.
  Due to defaulted payments, **. *********** account was turned over to a third-party collection agency. As of June 6, 2023, ************************ has not requested to withdraw from the program according to the terms of the agreement. As a result,the full program liability was reported to the collection agency.
  Due to the information ************************ provided the BBB, I closed the account out according to the terms of the agreement. The cancellation was completed on June 6, 2023. ************************ will need to speak to the agency directly in order to settle her cancel liability.
  Penn Foster devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at *************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  05/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have never utilized any services provided by Penn Foster. They keep sending an account to collections and I have never signed up for an account with them. I am currently enrolled in university and would never need their services. I have never taken a course yet my account is in collections. I need this account closed and removed

  Business response

  05/26/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: *******************
  Student Number: ********
  
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******* concerns.**************** enrolled in the Medical Assistant Associate degree on January 31, 2020 , by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will attach the agreement. As of May 26, 2023, **************** has completed 7.9% of the first semester.
  Per the agreement that **************** signed, a written request ( mail or email ) is required in order to withdraw from the program. As we have not received a request to withdraw from ****************, the account remained in an open status. Due to defaulted payments, the account was turned over to an outside agency. If **************** would like to withdraw from the program according to the terms of her signed agreement, she can email her request to me at, ******************@pennfoster.edu.
  Once **. ******* request is received, we can close the account out accordingly.
  
  Penn Foster  is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at **************.
  Sincerely.
  
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  05/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I enrolled in the Appliance Repair course, but I can no longer attend and would like to disenroll and discontinue further payments. I have tried to do this, but it can only be done by phone and I am never available during their customer service hours.

  Business response

  05/16/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name *************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******* concerns. **************** enrolled into the Appliance Repair program on February 3, 2023, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment.
  Per **. ******* enrollment agreement, students can terminate their enrollment via telephone, email or first-class mail. Per the message provided to the BBB, I closed **. ******* account on 5/16/2023 according to the contractual terms. *************** will be provided a refund of $44.51.
  Penn Foster devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at *************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

  Customer response

  05/21/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  04/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The representative from the college stated it was asynchronous learning when in fact it is not. They require you to take webinars but these webinars are schedule the same day of the week at the same time. When I asked why they couldnt give credit when watched on demand, I was told it was a requirement for discuss among student, teacher, and peers. Although all that is required for the live webinars is to type hello and goodbye and then write a 2 paragraph summary. I have also not been provided my book I needed for a course only to be told the book was back ordered and even though Im almost finished with the course, I can be switched to a new course but nothing I have worked on will be transferred. The instructors are not qualified and never answer questions that are being asked. The institution has been in lawsuits before.

  Business response

  04/24/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: ***** **************** Number: ********
  To Whom It May ***************** welcome the opportunity to address Ms. ****** concerns. Ms.***** enrolled into the Veterinary Technician Degree on November 10, 2020 , by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the enrollment agreement.
  On page 25 in the student catalog it states, Students in certain programs may also be required to attend scheduled online classes in order to pass the course. For the Veterinary Technician program, students are required to attend live webinars in their third and fourth semester.  Students have 12 months to attend webinars that work best with their schedule. Webinars are offered various days and times of the week and even some on weekends to allow flexibility to study at a time that works best for the students, making the program still asynchronous. A copy of the student catalog and more information can be found on our marketing website, ****************************************************************************** .
  On April 21, 2023, a representative reach out directly to Ms. ***** regarding her concerns of the live webinars for the Veterinary Technician program and having a new textbook reshipped as courtesy.
  Penn Foster is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at **************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *********************
  Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  04/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I started August of 22 in a class with Penn Foster and they made me believe that their diploma was recognized in **** and it is not but they proceeded to take money from me since August to April of this year I am dissatisfied of their practices and I would really like to have my money back and an apology I am on Social Security and I need my money if I'm not going to get a diploma that's recognized in the ************* I want to go someplace else like Penna but I want this issue with Penn Foster to be settled if you would please help me

  Business response

  04/24/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Name: ***********************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May *********************** welcome the opportunity to address Ms. ******* concerns. **************** enrolled herself online into the High School program on August 31, 2022, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the agreement.
  Penn Foster High School has earned both regional and national accreditation. Penn Foster is accredited by the ******** ********* ********************** (****). The **** is listed by the **** ********** ** ********* as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the ******* *** ****** ********* ************* (****).
  Penn Foster High School is regionally accredited for grades 9 through adult, by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the ************************* of Colleges and Schools. Penn Foster High School is accredited by Cognia. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and improvement services to institutions and other education providers. Penn Foster Career School is licensed by the ****************** ***** of ******* Licensed Schools.
  As of April 24, 2023 **************** has completed 9 out of 107 exams. **************** completed 8.4% of the program. If **************** would like to withdraw from the program, she will be held to the terms that she voluntarily agreed to. The cancellation policy is as follows:
  
  If you cancel within 6 calendar days of signing the enrollment agreement you will owe: $0 (100% refund)
  
  
  If you withdraw after 6 calendar days:
  
  
  Before submitting a completed program assignment you will owe:  registration fee + administrative fee + shipping and handling fees (if applicable)
  Up to and including 10% of the program assignments completed you will owe: registration fee + administrative fee + shipping and handling fees (if applicable) + 10% of refundable tuition
  After 10% and up to and including 25% of the program assignments completed you will owe: registration fee + administrative fee + shipping and handling fees (if applicable) + 25% of refundable tuition
  After 25% and up to and including 50% of the program assignments completed you will owe: registration fee + administrative fee + shipping and handling fees (if applicable) + 50% of refundable tuition
  After 50% of the program assignments completed you will owe: full program tuition and any applicable fees
  

  The percentage of the program completed shall be determined by comparing the number of completed lessons received for services by the school to the total number of lessons in the program.
  

  If **************** would like to withdraw from the program , she would owe a liability of $105.90. **************** is not eligible for a refund. 
  Penn Foster is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at **************.
   
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  03/09/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I received mail from a collections agency that Penn Foster has sent me to collections for a balance over $2,000. I have never attended this school, nor have I ever looked into this school. I have a degree and job in an unrelated field thats been fully paid for at a different college.

  Business response

  03/13/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: ***************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******* concerns. **************** enrolled into the Veterinary Technician Associate degree program on August 27,2018, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the enrollment agreement.
  When enrolling into the program, **************** was required to submit a proof of High School completion form. I will include a copy of the form. Due to defaulted payments, **. ******* account was turned over to a third-party collection agency.
  Reviewing **. ******* account, we have not received any communication from **************** regarding withdrawing from the program. Per **. ******* enrollment agreement, we require a letter in writing requesting to withdraw from the program. This can be email or physical mail.
  If **************** would like to withdraw from the program, she can email her request to me directly at ***********************@pennfoster.edu. the request is received, we will close out according to the contractual cancellation terms. **************** will need to speak to the agency directly in order to resolve her financial obligations.
  
  Penn Foster is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at *************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  03/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I enrolled in their classes while suffering a mental health crisis. I emailed them per the instructions on their website on 4/12/22 at 1:04pm asking them to cancel my enrollment with all the information I was required to include. I noticed that I am still on auto pay and they are still charging me when I reached out them, they refused to acknowledge I made contact and basically told me have a nice day. Now, I can opt to pay $95 for an extension and attempt to get a state cert I don't want or need or suck up a $900 loss. I would like refunded my money from the time I sent the email requesting the course cancelation.

  Business response

  03/09/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: *****************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **************** concerns. ************* enrolled into the Medical Billing and Coding program on December 9, 2021,by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the enrollment agreement.
  ************** completed 4 out of 44 exams. As per the enrollment agreement, You are responsible for paying and Penn Foster shall be entitled to receive the entire Program Tuition and the Non-Refundable Registration Fee if you cancel (a) more than 12 months after your enrollment. After reviewing *************** account, I was unable to locate any previous correspondence regarding canceling the program. Additional information regarding the refund policy can be found at *************************************************************************** March 9, 2023, I personally reached out to ************** via email to go over any additional concerns she may have.
  Penn Foster is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at **************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *********************
  Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  03/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Canceled enrollment after one month. I paid for that one month. Now I am being told I owe $435 BECAUSE I CANCELED! Mind you it does not state ANYWHERE that you will be charged a cancelation fee and I canceled because I did not have time for schooling due to my father being diagnosed with cancer and 13 months to live. I paid for the ONE LESSON and the month of whatever the fees are for so now why am I expected to pay to NOT ATTEND SCHOOL?!

  Business response

  03/02/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: *************************
  Student Number: ********
  

  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **************** concerns. ************** enrolled online into the Veterinary Technician Associate Degree on May 26, 2022 by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the enrollment agreement.
  

  All cancellation terms can be located on our web site and on each enrollment agreement. For ease of access please use this link, *************************************************************************** time of cancellation, ************** completed 8.3% of the semester. Per the agreed upon terms,
  

  If you cancel within 6 calendar days of signing the enrollment agreement you will owe: $0 (100% refund)
  

  If you withdraw after 6 calendar days:
  

  Before submitting a completed program assignment you will owe:  registration fee + administrative fee +shipping and handling fees (if applicable)
  

  Up to and including 10% of the program assignments completed you will owe:registration fee + administrative fee + shipping and handling fees (if applicable) + 10% of refundable tuition
  

  After 10% and up to and including 25% of the program assignments completed you will owe: registration fee + administrative fee + shipping and handling fees (if applicable) + 25% of refundable tuition
  

  After 25% and up to and including 50% of the program assignments completed you will owe: registration fee + administrative fee + shipping and handling fees (if applicable) + 50% of refundable tuition
  

  After 50% of the program assignments completed or more than 12 months after your enrollment you will owe: full program tuition and any applicable fees
  The percentage of the program completed shall be determined by comparing the number of completed lessons received for services by the school to the total number of lessons in the program.
  

  Per the terms listed above, ************** will owe: registration fee +administrative fee + shipping and handling fees (if applicable) + 10% of refundable tuition.
  

  Due to defaulted payments, **************** account was turned over to a third party collection agency. ************** must speak to the agency directly to resolve her financial obligations.
  
  Penn Foster is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at *************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  02/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  They are scam they take your money and you never see them again plus their is office Is in canada but you can not go their office but their office is in the u.s but is a different name vey strange

  Business response

  03/01/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: ***** ******
  Student Number: N/A

  To Whom It May Concern:
  I welcome the opportunity to address *** *******s concerns. An extensive search for an account was made, however we could not locate an account for *** ******.  
  *** ****** is headquartered in Quebec, with operations in the United States through Penn Foster, and internationally through Penn Foster International. *** ****** is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
  Penn Foster Career School and High School have earned both regional and national accreditation. Penn Foster College has earned national accreditation. Accreditation is a public notification that an institution and a program meet the quality standards set forth by the accreditor. It means that Penn Foster schools and programs have been evaluated against a pre-determined set of criteria set forth by the accrediting body.
  As our programs are available online only, students do not need to physically come to any of our locations for their studies.
  Penn Foster is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at (**** ********.
  
  Sincerely.
  Andrew K*******
  Sr. Escalation Specialist
  

*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. ↩