ComplaintsforInternational College of Health Sciences

• Initial Complaint

  08/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I started the program June 5th, 2023, and withdrew July 11th, 2023, because of a medical emergency with one of my parents. I was told that I will be given a prorated refund. I emailed the registrar and financial aid office to inquire, and they have referred me over to the bursar who then advised me the bookkeeper would be the person who would reach out to me in a few weeks once the computation was completed. Today I received the computation worksheet to E sign, and it shows that instead of receiving a refund I had owe the school $1942.50. I spoke with the bookkeeper, and she said she is basing everything off of the student's workbook. I understand as I am not blaming her, and she is just doing her job based off of the information given to her. I asked her to give me the breakdown of where these costs were coming from and she said it was for one class that is $2775, out of state fee of $92, and the pre-enrollment fee of $3800. I was advised that I am still responsible for the full costs even though I withdrew six weeks into the program and class. I asked her where I signed for that, and she said in the contract dated 6/2/23. I set up a payment plan to settle the balance as I did not want anything to be sent to collections. In the meantime, I was able to pull up the contract I signed, and it does not state anywhere that the pre-enrollment fee of $3800 is nonrefundable. This is unfair business practice to charge students for a whole semester and the full pre-enrolment fee when enrollment was less then 6 weeks. The pre-enrollment fee includes clinical and graduation fees, fees that I should not have accumulated yet because of just starting the program and withdrawing within 6 weeks. I am hoping to get this rectified.

  

  Business response

  09/06/2023

  Thank you for the opportunity to respond to ********************** complaint. The College has reviewed ********************* account. Upon her withdrawal from the College she owed $1,942.50. The withdraw computation was provided and signed by ****************** on August 24th after speaking with the bookkeeper. The Computation was completed in accordance with the Colleges published refund policy, which ****************** received prior to her enrollment in the College. She withdrew beyond the 15 day test-drive period. Students who withdraw before the 15-day deadline are *********** a 100% refund for tuition and fees. The deadline for ****************** to receive a full refund was June 20, 2023. She withdrew on July 11, 2023. The total amount of charges for pre-enrollment fees, course fees, and tuition was $6,442.50. ****************** previously paid $4,500 towards her enrollment in the college, leaving the outstanding balance of $1942.50. On 8/24/2023 she agreed in writing to the outstanding balance and a payment plan. On 8/26/2023, ***************** paid her first installment of $324 towards her balance. As of 9/6/2023 ******************** balance owed is $1,618.50. We have attached the Colleges supporting documentation and communication with ******************. Should she have any questions regarding her balance or changes she may reach out to *********************, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at **************** or at **************.

  Customer response

  09/07/2023

   
  Complaint: 20518397
  
  I am rejecting this response because the document attached pertaining to refund policy does not provide information about the pre-enrollment fee not being nonrefundable. It shows for tuition of the class and course resource fees. I am not able to find anywhere in the catalog or the contract that I signed where it specifically states that pre-enrollment fee is nonrefundable. The pre-enrollment fee includes fees for clinical clearance evaluation and graduation fee when I am not even near clinical or graduation. Like I had previously state in my last complaint, I signed the agreement to pay the remainder because I do not want to risk my account going to a third-party collection agency and it ruining my credit. I am fine with having to be responsible for the full tuition and course fee for the one and only class that I took prior to withdrawing as I was aware of the refund policy in regard to tuition and course fees. However, I am not aware of the pre-enrollment fee being nonrefundable. I cannot find this verbiage in the contract I signed or the catalog. I have attached my contract agreement with the school that does not specify that. Nor can I find it in the catalog.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  

  Business response

  09/12/2023

  We have reviewed ********************** rejection. Pre-enrollment fees are non-refundable; however, upon review of the verbiage we have determined that the verbiage is not clear and concise regarding the pre-enrollment fees. As a result, we have credited ********************** account for the graduation fee of $200, ID badge of $25, and clinical clearance evaluation of $350. This brings the total amount owed by ****************** down to $1043.50 as of 9/12/2023. Additionally, the Vice President of Finance attempted to reach ****************** today, 9/12/2023 to revise her payment arrangements with the reduced amount owed. ****************** my reach the ** Finance at ************. We appreciate ****************** bringing this to our attention and we hope this resolves any issue ****************** has outstanding with the College. The corrected billing statement for ****************** is attached to this response. 

• Initial Complaint

  08/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I attended a nursing program with this school in which I had to withdraw from. The school finance department let me know that the money that was provided to ICHS through my Meritize loan would be returned within 1 month after my withdrawal date. This was in March 2023. I have attempted contact with the school and their financial department multiple times, leaving voicemails and sending multiple emails with no response. I would like the loan returned along with the interest over the multiple months that they have continued to ignore my attempts at contact.

  

  Business response

  09/13/2023

  There was an error with the refund to Meritize, the third-party lender which has since been resolved. The original loan amount was for $30,000. The charges incurred for enrollment in the College is $9,252.50. The original refund to Meritize should have been $20,747.50. Unfortunately, the refund was not made timely; therefore, there were $4,700 in interest charged. The College has made the correction and made a refund to Meritize for a total of $25,447.50, which covers the interest that accrued during the time that elapsed in the refund. That total owed to Meritized is $4,552.50 after the refund, plus any origination fees Meritize would have included. This issue has been resolved. The complainant may reach out to *********************, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at **************** with any questions.

• Initial Complaint

  03/02/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  The original date of transaction 11/7/22 of a down payment of $3500 dollars for the school to assure my stop then consecutively per the finance contract I would be charged monthly $1000 which was charged in December 2022, January 2023, and February 2023. I withdrew from a prerequiste course (Algebra) on 12/20/2023 l knew I would not be able to pass the course. I withdrew with in the proper time frame where it would not affect my academic standing. I was told I could take the Algebra course through StraighterLine and mentioned I needed a 'C' to pass. Which I did and completed the course and got in contact with the admission representative from the school and they informed me I would be able to reapply for the Assoc Degree in Nursing Program. Prior to that I submitted an appeal with the school to allow my re enter the program which was reviewed on 2/2/2023. I received a call from the admission coordinator that I was working with and he informed me that the ** of the school said I could reapply for the program which I did as directed. The school already had my transcript I was not told that the grade was not passing.I was supposed to tentatively start on February 6th 2023. The school was having technical difficulties in publishing the classes. I then emailed and made sure my transcript was received. Then the admissions coordinator checked with the registrar if a 74% or 'C' and stated that was not passing. But once I completed my StraighterLine course on 1/24/2023 it electronically sent to the registrar and I received confirmation from StraighterLine that it was received. I didn't get an email from the registrar prior to the stating that was failing even though it is a 'C'. After I was in contact via email with the admission representative and registrar they did not respond to my inquiries. I submitted a grievance to the president of the school on 2/9/23. Per the policy I was supposed to receive a response in 14 business days which I have not received.

  

  Business response

  03/17/2023

  *************************** was enrolled in the November 2022 mid-semester start in the Algebra course. She withdrew in December and communicated to the College that she planned to re-enroll for the next start of February 2023; therefore, the College did not process her financial account for a withdraw, as she communicated her return. During ************************ enrollment, she was provided an electronic publication of the College Catalog with policies, which she signed acknowledging receipt and the understanding of the policies contained in the Catalog. The grading scale is published on page 51 of the Catalog, which outlines the grading system for each program. The Associate of Science in Nursing program has a 75%-79% as a C. Anything below 75% is considered an F within the published policies of the College. ******************** inquired about her grade in an email to admissions and the registrar who confirmed on 2/6 her grade did not meet the standards of the College; therefore she could not transfer the course. Subsequently, on 2/6 ******************** requested a refund and not to move forward with the College. Upon this request, ******************** was processed for withdrawal from the College and a refund of $4,815.00 was sent via check to the address on file on 2/28/2023. In accordance with the published refund policy in the Catalog, the College has 30 days to issue a refund. The amount of  $1,985 were charges incurred during her enrollment in the November 2022 semester, which is not refundable.

  Customer response

  03/20/2023

   
  Complaint: 19527421
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Per the business response a refund check was sent on 2/28/2023. I have not received it through the mail it takes **** business days on first class standard **** from ******* to ********** to receive mail. If this refund can just be done through the credit card information provided to the school with the refunded amount that would be appreciated. or if the check can be sent again with a provided tracking number as well.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  

  Business response

  04/25/2023

  The Vice President of Finance spoke with ******************** on 4/19/2023 regarding the refund not being received. We canceled the original refund check issued in Feb. 2023 and issued a refund as 3 separate transactions (receipts attached) via credit card. 

  Customer response

  04/26/2023

   
  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.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

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