ComplaintsforPenn Foster

• 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
  

• Initial Complaint

  02/13/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I enrolled for the online Administrative Assistant course on December 7, 2022 and paid the full amount of $649 that same day. After completing 70% of the coursework at an A level, I opened the sixth of seven syllabuses in February 2023. These syllabuses are presented to students in order and cannot be viewed out of order. In this syllabus, information was given that said that the coursework for unit 6 could only be completed on a PC, and work would not be accepted on a *** or **********. This requirement had not been disclosed before this time. As I only own a *** computer, I emailed Penn Foster and requested a refund since I could not complete the coursework at no fault of my own and would not be able to receive the course certificate. I received a reply from *************************** which stated that since I had completed over 50% of the course, I was not eligible for a refund. I was also dropped from the course at that time, and can no longer sign in to contact staff or print out completed coursework. I emailed *************************** again to protest the decision and stress that the course requirements were not disclosed when signing up for the course, but I have not received another reply.

  Business response

  02/13/2023

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

  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address *** *******’s concerns. *** ******* enrolled herself online into Administrative Assistant Career Diploma program on December 7, 2022, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and payment in full. I will include a copy of the enrollment agreement.

  As *** ******* stated, she completed 70% of the program. Per the enrollment agreement, *** ******* voluntarily signed, after 50% of the program assignments completed or more than 12 months after enrollment the student will owe: full program tuition and any applicable fees.
  

  Prior to enrollment, Penn Foster provides students with disclaimers on the technological requirements for enrollment. An example of the disclaimer provided is as follows:
  

  “Technology Requirements - You will need access to high-speed internet to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a *********® *******® based computer running ******* **® or later, *********® ****** 2019 or ********* ***®, and an email account to complete this program with Penn Foster. “

  The Technology requirements are made available prior to enrollment. The statement can be located on the Tuition Section of the Administrative Assistants Marketing page at ******************************************************************************************** .
  

  The statement is also located under the Admissions section of our Marketing site. It can be located under the Admission Requirements section at *************************************. Penn Foster provides access to our schools Catalog prior to enrollment. Each Catalog list the Technological requirements. Each of our schools catalogs can be located at ******************************************************************.
  

  Per *** *******’s email request, the program was closed out according to the terms of her agreement. If *** ******* would like to reinstate the account, she will need to send an email requesting this. This can be sent to [email protected]. As stated above, *** ******* 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

  Customer response

  03/11/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because Penn Foster does not adequately show that full disclosure was given regarding enrollment requirements for the course.  Please see the letter pasted below or attached.

  
  

  Regards,
  
  Dear *** ********,
  
  
  As you indicated, I did sign an enrollment agreement; however, this agreement did not contain any information about technological requirements for the coursework.  The only other communication that I received from the school was as follows:  an email with info about an id card, a tuition payment receipt, and privacy information.  None of these documents disclosed any technology requirements.
  
  You state that “prior to enrollment, Penn Foster provides students with disclaimers on the technological requirements for enrollment.”  As proof, you list three spots on your website where I may have possibly been able to wander across this vital information myself before signing up for the course.  Here is what I discovered when I went to the three internet addresses you provide where I was supposed to find this information.
  
  1.“The statement can be located on the Tuition Section of the Administrative Assistants Marketing page at ********************************************************************************************.”  It is true that this link does take you to a webpage that lists the technology requirements.  However, I would challenge you to discover this particular subpage from your website.   Here is the necessary thread required to get there:
  * Pennfoster main webpage
  * Click:  Explore All Programs
  * Click”  Administrative Assistant -  This page has four tabs:  Overview, Curriculum, Tuition, FAQ.  Before enrolling, I clicked through each tab here to find the information that I needed in order to determine that this course would meet my needs, which it did. I then saw a big blue button on the top of the page that said “Enroll Now,” which I did.  However……..
  * one of the very last lines on this page says “Tuition and Payment Options.”   I did not need tuition options.  I was planning on paying the $649 in full, so I had no reason to click the link.   However, clicking that link would have brought me to the page that you indicate above.   I am not sure why an enrollment requirement would be buried on a page titled “Tuition and Payment Options.”   That is not full disclosure, and potential students should not be required to seek out hidden disclaimers buried deep within your website to be fully informed.
  
  2.   “It can be located under the Admission Requirements section at ************************************* .” I honestly cannot find how to access this page from your home page.  If there is a link, it is completely buried, or under a misleading title.  However, if I somehow would have been able to find this link and determine that it contained information I needed,  here is the information listed on that page:  
  “Penn Foster programs require that students have access to high-speed Internet, a *********® *******® based computer running *******® ** or later or an *****® ***® computer running ***OS® or later, and an email account. There are exceptions to these technology requirements. Click here for program specific technology requirements.”  I do have a *** computer that meets those requirements, so this would not have provided me with any indication that a PC was necessary.  My computer also has ***** and **** software, and I had no reason to even think it could not have handled the coursework.  By clicking the link at the end of the statement and scrolling to page 6 of a 15 page list, I would have found that I needed a PC for the ***** coursework, but my question is, why would I have found it necessary to dig so deep?  And why should I have to?  This information needs to be made clear by the school.
  
  3.  “Penn Foster provides access to our schools Catalog prior to enrollment. Each Catalog list the Technological requirements. Each of our schools catalogs can be located at ******************************************************************"  This page is all about cancellation policies.   I did read the cancellation information and had no reason to pursue any more information than was given.  Towards the bottom of the page, there is a small link provided for the Course Catalog for the course, but I had no reason to hunt for this nor know that I needed any further information.  (By the way, it is a great catalog.  Why is it buried here?  Shouldn’t this have been sent to students, or at least pointed out and made more accessible? Lots of good information is hidden here.)
  In summary, I stand my ground on my original complaint.  The burden should not be on the student to hunt through a huge website to find hidden links that might possibly apply to them regarding fine details of enrollment.   Pertinent details should all be presented upfront on the main page for the program.  This main program page is where I found almost all of the information that I felt I needed to decide to enroll in the course, and I would guess it is where almost every other student interested in the course looks as well.  ************************************************************************************.   Relevant information should be clearly disclosed here.  It should also have been part of the enrollment agreement that was sent to me to sign.  I had due diligence and read through all of the curriculum materials and knew that my *** computer had the software required for each topic listed.  (Specifically *****.) This is where the information should have been disclosed that using the PC version of the software was the only acceptable way to complete the coursework.
  
  In addition, the course is structured so that the coursework requiring a PC is one of the last units in the course (***** training).   So, it is basically impossible to discover the problem until you have completed over 50% of the course and therefore are no longer eligible to request cancellation.  
  
  Whether or not you intend for your business practices to be deceptive, they are definitely poor and inadequate.  As a customer, I should not be required to pay for a product about which I was not given all the necessary information regarding requirements.  Nor should I have to hunt through multiple webpages and links myself to find information that I don’t even know exists.  Your website needs some major overhauls to make these requirements clear and obvious to potential students, and those requirements should also be revealed in the contract they sign.
  

   

  Because of these faulty business practices, I would like my tuition reimbursed in full.  I would also hope that you fix the problem for future potential students who may be interested in the program.
  
  Sincerely,
  

  Business response

  04/26/2023

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

  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address *** *******’s concerns. As stated directly in the enrollment agreement she willingly signed, “By signing this Enrollment Form, you acknowledge that you have received, read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions on all pages of this agreement (including without limitation, the credit disclosures), as well as the student catalog and any information pertaining to this program, including technology requirements, provided on our program website.” During the enrollment process, if *** ******* had any concerns regarding technology requirements or where to find the student catalog *** ******* could have directly reached out. On December 7, 2022, she acknowledged the above statement and signed her agreement.
  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

  02/10/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  So I unfortunately decided to enroll in Penn Foster through my employer. It took four attempts to successfully cancel my enrollment. I've tried cancelling since December of 2022 and it was cancelled until late January 2022. There are clear policies with instructions on how to cancel, but once you speak to Penn Foster they tell you something different. After jumping through the first hurdle, now I'm having issues with the refund. There is a refund policy that is dependent on how much was completed during the semester. The refund policy does not explicitly state these percentages will be calculated using student's transferred credits. Penn Foster is trying to keep 50% of my refund, however, I only took one class with them. That means they are supposed to give me a 75% refund. I had the unfortunate luck to deal with ***************************** and she has not answered my email when I'd explained that she should not be in including my transfer credits since technically I did not submit assignments to Penn Foster in those classes. I am complaining because I'm entitled to 75% of the paid amount and not 50%. Not to mention, she already miscalculated the first time.

  Business response

  02/14/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: *******************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ********* concerns. ******************** enrolled into the Veterinary Technician Degree program via our Business-to-Business with ********* on August 16, 2022. I will include a copy of the enrollment agreement.
  ******************** completed 10 out of 37 lessons. Upon cancelling,******************** is at a  35.7% cancel liability which takes her to the 50%cancellation terms. As stated in the cancellation policy with *********, After you have completed more than 25% but less than 50% of the semester coursework, Penn Foster will retain the lesser of 50% of your tuition amount ($300) or the amount you have paid in tuition as of the date of cancellation, and you will receive a refund equal to the balance of the amount you have paid to Penn Foster as  of the cancelation date. I will include a copy of the cancellation policy with Bluepearl. The cancellation terms do not apply to the 9 transfer lessons but instead the lessons taken with Penn Foster. If ******************** has any concerns regarding her cancellation policy,she can reach out to Bluepearl directly.
  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

  01/10/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been trying to sign up for the next module of classes for plumbing as I am almost at the end of my apprenticeship. I completed the first mod of classes and was told by ***************************** to send test to him via scan. Sent it over and asked for confirmation of receipt and have heard nothing for 2 months. Have called and spoken with the school they said another form needed to be sent with it. Can't get a straight answer and the grade for my final test still not posted. This is because when I started before covid it was on paper and have since upgraded to online testing. I have no access to that mod online testing so had to have exception and hence sending it in. I have called numerous times to enroll with ***************************** in my next mod and he will tell me they don't do payment plans. Has to be paid in full. Then tells me he will see what he can do with finance. I recieve weekly emails from Penn Foster outling my plumbing program and showing that you can do 1 of 3 options. 1. Pay in full, option 2 pay $39 down and $59 a month auto withdraw or option 3 pay $59 a month with mail in coupons. This is holding me back from completion. I want resolution as to why these options are not offered to me. I paid the first mod in full and have never had any issues.

  Business response

  01/13/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: ***************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May ***************** welcome the opportunity to address Mr. ******** concerns. ****************** enrolled via our Business to ***************** on August 6. 2019. As our Business to *****************s Plumbing program does not meet the requirements for the *********** Technical School System, all students in *********** must enroll with our Business to *****************.
  The screenshots provided by ****************** reflect information regarding the Business to ***************** Plumbing program. On January 11, 2023, the instructor left a voicemail for ****************** regarding his concerns. Mr. ******** ******* exam was graded on January 13, 2023.
  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

  Customer response

  01/26/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  I still have one rep telling me I can't have a payment plan and another offering me a payment plan. I finally got my test graded thanks to the BBB after being ignored for months and trying to male contact with this school. I still have yet to sign up for next module as I am not sure I am going to proceed with this disorganized school model. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***************************
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Business response

  03/28/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: ***************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May ***************** welcome the opportunity to address Mr. ******** concerns. As previously stated our Business to Consumer divisions Plumbing program does not meet the requirements for the *********** Technical School System, all students in *********** must enroll with our Business to ******************
  I am going to have a member of our Business to ***************** reach out to ****************** to directly discuss the account and address any additional questions.
  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

  12/29/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I enrolled into A Penn Foster program on 7/18/22. I cancelled my program on 10/04/22. I communicated with Penn Foster multiple times via email & over the phone. I was told I have an outstanding balance in the amount of $448.00 I was informed have until the 5th of January 2023 to make the payment in full before it's sent to collections. I called on 12/29/22 to make this payment in full only to be redirected to a collection agency. Penn Foster sent my account to collections on 12/22/22 without any notice. Not to mention the balance some how grew interest. I have a right to correct information! Paid over 500 dollars to this collections agency. I will take action if this is on my credit!

  Business response

  12/30/2022

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: *********************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. *********** concerns. ************************ enrolled into the Sterile Processing diploma program on July 18, 2022, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment.
  ************************ agreed to make monthly payments of $59.00 for 20 months plus a final payment of $18.00 when she enrolled into the program. As of December 30, 2022, ************************ has paid one dollar toward her account.
  Students are charged a late fee of ten dollars if a monthly payment is late by 10 days or more. If students do not pay the overdue amount and late fee within 40 days, Penn Foster reserves the right to suspend the students enrollment in the Program immediately and require the student to pay the outstanding balance of the program price associated with the payment plan chosen. In addition, students will be responsible for any collection costs, including legal fees, incurred by Penn Foster to collect amounts owed.
  On September 28, 2022, ************************ sent an email requesting to withdraw from the program due to financial hardship. On October 4, 2022, Penn Foster closed **. *********** account according to her contractual cancellation terms. A reply was sent to **. *********** email advising her of her cancellation liability.
  Due to continuous defaulted payments, **. *********** account was sent to an outside collection agency on December 22, 2022. ************************ was advised on December 29, 2022, that she would be able to pay in full with Penn Foster and that we could notify the agency once the payment clears if she did not want to speak with the agency. The account will remain in collections.
  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

  Customer response

  01/03/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  on 12/29/22 I spoke to the agent with Penn Foster she informed me I could pay the balance with them, however she wasn't sure if It would be on my credit. That's why I decided to pay with the collection agency instead!  I spoke to multiple ppl at Penn Foster I was told this would go to collections if not paid by the 5,th of January. Please address my concerns! My concern is why was I given wrong information?  I did not unenroll due to financial hardship. I had COVID for a month! 

  Business response

  01/13/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: *********************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May  Concern:
  
  I  welcome the opportunity to address **. *********** concerns. Penn Foster emailed ************************ on three separate occasions regarding the past due cancel balance on **. *********** Sterile Processing program.  On November 24, 2022, ************************ received a final notice email that stated, Hi ******, This is your final notice before your account is turned over to the ********************* and will be beyond our help. All future communications you will receive after this point will be from an independent collection agency. If payment is not received in a timely manner, Penn Foster may apply any related collection expenses or related fees in the process of collecting your account. We highly suggest you make this payment as soon as you can to avoid hurting your credit history. If you are struggling, please call us to discuss your options.  **. *********** Sterile Processing account was ultimately sent to the third party collection agency on December 22, 2022.
  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

  Customer response

  01/25/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: this is a lie I have all my emails with the person I corresponded with. Send me that email with original date! 
  
  Regards,
  
  *********************************
  

  Business response

  03/20/2023

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

  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address *** **********’s concerns. An email was sent to *** ********** on March 20, 2023 in order to discuss directly and come to a reasonable resolution.
  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

  Customer response

  03/23/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  They did not resolve any matter they lied. They're unprofessional! 
  
  Regards,
  
  *********************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  12/25/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I enrolled at Penn foster to help myself get a education but the country shut down because of political flu and lost my job and it was hard to pay anything and this company has no companion and they gave me less then a year before they sent me into collections but the country was closed for almost two years and now I'm hurting g even more for a service or product I never received, how do you owe money when you never received anything at all well anyways I finally got back on my feet and called them to catch up and I got a recording saying I've been sent to collections and now I owe then and collections and I would like to continue but I'm not paying a collection agency no matter what.

  Business response

  12/30/2022

  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 July 5, 2022, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment.
  All of **************** attempted payments have come back as declined as of December 30, 2022. ************** has been provided with ample notification regarding delinquent payments. On October 24, 2022, ************** stated he would call on October 28,2022 to pay his past due and when his credit card came in he would pay for his program in full with an offered discount. ************** did not make a payment attempt on October 28, 2022.
  Due to defaulted payments the account was sent to a third-party collection agency on December 1, 2022. ************** will need to speak to the agency to resolve his 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

  12/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am a student at Penn Foster Medical Billing Coding Course. Penn Foster has sent me to collections for an account that is not mine and have locked my account which is paid in full. I am not able to get this resolved with them. I have sent several emails and had phone call with them. This was supposed to be taken care with in a couple days and it has not been over two weeks that I can not continue my studies. I want to be able to finish my studies or a refund of all money paid. I have filed a dispute with the school and the credit bureaus for an account that is not mine. I would like to have this settled and I see no other way since they no longer answer my emails than to file a complaint. Again I would like to continue my studies or a full refund of all money paid.

  Business response

  12/23/2022

  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 diploma program on August 12, 2020, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment.
  Under this account ************** has completed 12 exams. Due to defaulted payments, the account was referred to an outside collection agency. The account was closed on December 8, 2022 due to receiving a cancellation request from *************. If ************** feels this account is not hers, she can have her police report of fraud/stolen identity emailed to *******************************************
  ************** enrolled again into the Medical Billing and Coding program on May 3, 2021 by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. A hold was placed on this account on December 7, 2022 due to the system locating ************'s past due account.
  On December 22, 2022 I emailed ************** to advise that I removed the hold on her 2021 account and that she can continue. ************** will need to dispute her 2020 account by providing me a police report or she can settle the account with the collection agency directly.
   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

  12/14/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am having a problem with Penn Foster, I started attending the school in November 2021 and attended until January 2022. I had personal issues come along and became a single father raising a child on my own. I decided to cancel my enrollment with the program and the program failed to follow through. Follow up a few months later and they filed to a collection agency. I spoke with the agency and Penn Foster and finally received a cancellation email listing I owed $563.20 to the school for my time attended. I agreed to pay and even paid $50 to the collection agency. The derogatory mark was taken off my credit and everything was fine. Finally, just this past month they have filed another collection to me through the agency and have now raised the amount owed to $1,100 which is way more than what was agreed on. I need to have this problem fixed fast as I am starting up a mobile car detailing business soon and need this mark off of my credit. I can pay the $513.20 owed in full but the $1,100 would be too much for me to do that fast.

  Business response

  12/16/2022

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: *************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. *******’s concerns. ****************** enrolled into the ******************* Associate degree on November 21, 2021, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment.
  Reviewing **. *******’s account, the first and only request to withdraw from the program came on October 14, 2022. This is the attachment that ****************** has provided the BBB. Per the enrollment agreement, the request must be submitted in writing. The request could be mail or email.  Prior to this, **. *******’s account was sent to an outside collection agency due to defaulted payments. The agency reported the full price of the semester as the account was still in an open status.
  ****************** was advised in his email reply on October 18, 2022, that his account was now closed and that he would be responsible for the cancellation terms according to his enrollment agreement. The collection agency would have been notified that ****************** withdrew from the program and would have updated the defaulted amount due. ****************** will be responsible for remaining liability of $563.20.
   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

• Initial Complaint

  11/23/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I attended pennfoster highschool starting in 2019 and completing my courses in 2022, I paid $1,199 not including a $95 extension in my courses under the assumption that they were a accredited high school. I attended this high school with the intention of using my diploma to go to community college. After reviewing with FAFSA and my local college I was informed that no community colleges in my area or surrounding areas except or credit this high school diploma. Pennfoster falsely advertised that they were accredited. I am extremely devastated I wasted years of my life and money I really didnt have in hopes of bettering myself in my future career just to be told it was for nothing. Had I known they were not actually a credited as advertised I would never of use their services or took their courses.

  Business response

  11/28/2022

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: ****** *********
  Student Number: ********
  
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ********'s concerns.********************** enrolled in the High School Diploma program on February 27, 2019 by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. ********************** graduated from the program on September 19, 2022.
  Penn Foster High School has earned both regional and national accreditation. Penn Foster High School is accredited for grades 9 through adult by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the ************************* of Colleges and Schools. Penn Foster is accredited by the ******** ********* ********************** (****). The **** is listed by the U.S.Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the ******* *** ****** ********* ************* (****).
  Penn Foster High School is accredited by ******. ****** offers accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and improvement services to institutions and other education providers. As a global nonprofit working in over 80 countries, ****** serves 36,000 institutions, nearly 25 million students, and five million educators every day. Penn Foster High School is also licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools. All accreditation and licensing information can be located at **********************************************.  
  Penn Foster advises students and when applicable, their guarantor, that neither job placement nor college admission are guaranteed upon graduation. It is solely the student or guarantors responsibility to determine if the program satisfies state or local educational requirements in the students local district. Penn Foster will not provide a refund or be liable for any losses that may incur as a result of a students inability to gain employment or admission to any institution, or the Program failing to satisfy state or local requirements.
  Penn Foster High School 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

• Initial Complaint

  11/17/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  ******** ******* lied to me I signed up for their high school program and in my state its not accredited I also need a copy of my transcript and diploma and they want to charge me

  Business response

  11/21/2022

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: ***************************
  Student Number: ********
  
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******'s concerns.**************** enrolled in the High School Diploma program on March 10, 2015, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and payment in full. I will include a copy of the agreement.

  Penn Foster High School has earned both regional and national accreditation. Penn Foster High School is accredited for grades 9 through adult by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the ************************* of Colleges and Schools. Penn Foster is accredited by the ******** ********* ********************** (****). The **** 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 High School is accredited by ******. ****** offers accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and improvement services to institutions and other education providers. As a global nonprofit working in over 80 countries, ****** serves 36,000 institutions, nearly 25 million students, and five million educators every day. Penn Foster High School is also licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools. All accreditation and licensing information can be located at **********************************************.  
  Penn Foster advises students and when applicable, their guarantor, that neither job placement nor college admission are guaranteed upon graduation. It is solely the student or guarantors responsibility to determine if the program satisfies state or local educational requirements in the students local district. If **************** needs a Certificate of Preliminary Education (CPE) he can request one through student services. A CPE is a certificate that is used to show our High School diploma is legitimate and recognized by the state of Pennsylvania. It is further proof if a school or employer is seeking more than the diploma for verification of education.
  Penn Foster High School 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

  Customer response

  12/02/2022

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  I need a copy of my final high school transcript for my records they never mailed it to me after graduating and my diploma 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***************************
  

  Business response

  12/19/2022

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: ***************************
  Student Number: ********
  
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******* concerns. **.******* original Diploma and Transcript were mailed out in June of 2015. Reviewing **. ******* account I see over 10 orders for additional completion documents. As **************** is aware, additional completion documents must be purchased via Parchment.
  Penn Foster High School 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

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