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:12/28/2022

  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 enrolled in an online school December 14th of 2020 and my first transaction was within the time I enrolled. So far I have paid $780.26 and have $108.74 left to pay off. Recently last November, I did some more research into ratings of this school and saw a lot of complaints and also that they do not offer any accreditation or diplomas. Which I do remember them telling me in a agreement before I confirmed my enrollment and transaction, that I will get a diploma after completion of the course. I am upset to find out two years later that I will not get any accreditation or a diploma. And that was the only reason why I enrolled in that school so I could get a diploma. I reached out to them by email and they said they never promised to an agreement offering any accreditation or diplomas. They also said I couldn’t get my money back if I wanted a refund but I can cancel anytime. I feel I have been mislead or lied to by this business.
  
  I do have a screenshot of the agreement that they showed to me before confirming the enrollment and transaction. I also have it circled in red.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/04/2023

  Dear ****,I am in receipt of your e-mail dated December 28, 2022, regarding a complaint filed by ******* *******. Having reviewed Ms. *******'s files, I am pleased to provide the following information. Ms. ******* originally enrolled in our Art program on December 14, 2020. The first set of study material was issued to Ms. ******* on December 17, 2020.  Her original tuition agreement was for $889.00.   Over the course of her enrollment, Ms. ******* contacted our Student Services Department on numerous occasions and utilized a variety of available services, including instructor counseling and online exam submission. According to our records, Ms. ******* was issued two modules over the course of her enrollment in the Art program and submitted four corresponding exams.Students may discontinue their studies at any time over the course of their enrollment with SCI. Cancellation policies are included in the Tuition Contract and Service Guarantee provided to every student upon enrollment. Ms. ******* contacted our Student Services Department by e-mail on November 30, 2022 to express her dissatisfaction that the program is not accredited however no cancellation request was received at that time. Stratford claims no accreditation, either verbally or in writing on any of our literature, digital or in print. The courses offered by SCI are introductory, theory-based diploma programs intended for vocational purposes. A diploma is indeed issued upon the successful completion of all academic and financial obligations. While no cancellation request has been received, I have authorized our Accounts Department to close the file with no further balance owed. Ms. ******* is entitled to a refund of $445.51 as per the terms of her contract. Should you require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me toll-free at *************** Our hours are from 8:00am to 4:30pm (EST) Monday through Thursday, and until 3:30pm on Fridays.  Sincerely, Brandi H*** Supervisor Student Services

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/21/2022

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

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

  Answered:

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

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Worthless High School Diploma Program:
  After signing-up my son to their high school diploma program, I found out that their high school diploma is worthless because it's unaccredited, invalid and not a real High School diploma. I recently tried to cancel; but, I was told that if he cancels, they would charge him the full tuition; but, I didn't want to pay them the full tuition without receiving a diploma. And what made it worst was the diploma wasn't a real High School diploma. Therefore, I felt trapped and tricked into staying with this worthless High School Program because of the threat to be sent to an outside collection agency; but, we are refusing to be pressured into getting their worthless and invalid High School Diploma. 

  Business Response

  Date: 12/21/2022

  ****, Complaint Handler, ext. 200 Better Business Bureau 100 Bryant Woods South Amherst, NY 14228 Dear ****, I am in receipt of your e-mail dated December 20, 2022,
  regarding a complaint filed by ********* *******. Having reviewed Mr. ********* files,
  I am pleased to provide the following information. Mr. ******* enrolled in our High School program on February 2, 2022. As Mr. ******* was a minor at the time of enrollment, a letter of consent was provided by his parent, ******** *******. The total tuition cost for the High School program was $689.00. The first set
  of study material was issued to Mr. ******* on February 4, 2022, which he completed on March 4, 2022. The subsequent module in the program was issued to Mr. ******* on March 7, 2022. Mr. ******* completed two of the four corresponding exams in this program. Students
  may discontinue their studies at any time over the course of their enrollment
  with SCI. Cancellation policies are included in the Service Guarantee that is issued to every Stratford Student and
  cancellation requests may be sent by any method including by mail, e-mail or
  telephone. Upon review of Mr. ********* file, the first cancellation request was received by e-mail and processed on September 12, 2022. As Mr. ********* account was in default at the time of cancellation, the full remaining balance of $503.56 became due and payable. Mr. ******* subsequently sent an e-mail on September 12, 2022 requesting to resume the High School program as well as lower his monthly payments to $20.00. Mr. ******* was subsequently re-enrolled in the High School program on September 13, 2022. A letter sent by Mr. *******, dated September 8, 2022 requesting the cancellation of his High School program was received however the student remained enrolled per his request on September 12, 2022. It should be noted that Stratford Career Institute claims no accreditation and no promotional material is issued online or by mail indicating otherwise. The High School diploma is intended primarily for vocational purposes however Stratford Career Institute offers no guarantee that the diploma will be accepted by potential employers or other organizations.  Although no refund is applicable as SCI did provide material and services which Mr. ******* utilized, I have authorized our Accounts Department
  to close Mr. ********* file and waive the remaining account balance. Should you require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me
  toll-free at **************. Our hours are from 8:00am to 4:30pm (EST) Monday through
  Thursday, and until 3:30pm on Fridays.  Sincerely, Brandi H*** Supervisor Student Services 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/22/2022

  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

  Date:12/08/2022

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

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

  Answered:

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

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I had taken a class through stradford and I no longer need it. I have requested a refund and to stop the payments. I pay 40 dollars a month for something I don’t use. I want the payments to be stopped and to atleast get my money back because it was a waste of time.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/08/2022

  I am in receipt of your e-mail dated December 8, 2022,
  regarding a complaint filed by ****** ****. Having reviewed Ms. ****’s files,
  I am pleased to provide the following information.Ms. **** enrolled in our Veterinary Assistant program on March 3,
  2022 through our online platform and her electronic signature was provided as an acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Tuition Contract and Service Guarantee which is presented to every student upon enrollment. The first set of study material was issued to Ms. **** on March 7, 2022 of which she confirmed receipt. Her tuition agreement was for $789.00 or 19 installments of $40.00 and one final installment of $19.00. During the nine months of her enrollment, Ms. **** contacted our Student Services Department on at least two occasions. She utilized a variety of available services, including exam submission through our online platform.Students
  may discontinue their studies at any time over the course of their enrollment
  with SCI. Cancellation policies are included in the Service Guarantee that is issued to every Stratford Student and
  cancellation requests may be sent by any method including by mail, e-mail or
  telephone. According
  to our records Ms. **** did not contact our Student Services department at any time, by any method, to request the cancellation of her program or to express any concerns regarding her Veterinary Assistant program. While the average completion time for a program is twenty-four months, Ms. **** successfully completed all academic requirements for the program on April 20, 2022 with an overall average of 88%. While it is unfortunate that Ms. **** has expressed that she does not require the program, the remaining balance of $419.00 is justified as she has received all of the corresponding course material and successfully completed the program. That being said, the automatic deductions from her ****** ****, which she authorized at the time of her enrollment, have been stopped as requested. No refund is applicable.Should you require additional
  information, please do not hesitate to contact me toll-free at ###-###-####.
  Our hours are from 8:00am to 4:30pm (EST) Monday through Thursday, and until 3:30pm
  on Fridays.  Sincerely,Brandi H*** Supervisor Student Services

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/04/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

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

  Answered:

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

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I cancelled my program after 1 module and 1 test. They charged me the entire tuition in the form of a cancellation fee... They said I was past due - I said I'd cancelled - They say I didn't and I'm $40 past due so the full tuition is charged in the form of cancellation. Their policy claims I can cancel and not be charged prior to completing my second module or 50% of the program. They are going to ding my credit. They will not accept the "past due" amount. They will only accept the full tuition. They walked me into a trap. Their online review indicate that this is how they do business normally. They have rejected voice recordings of my attempts to cancel and the customer service reps telling me what the policies are. They are caught and won't admit it. I'm happy to send the audio clips.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/06/2022

  Dear ****, I am in receipt of your e-mail dated December 5, 2022, regarding a complaint filed by **** *******. Having reviewed Mr. *******' files, I am pleased to provide the following information. Mr. ******* originally enrolled in our Private Investigator program on November 3, 2021. The first set of study material was issued to Mr. ******* on November 5, 2021.  His original tuition agreement was for $549.00. Mr. ******* then requested a transfer from the Private Investigator program into the Gunsmith program on November 17, 2022. The first set of material in the Gunsmith program was issued online on November 17, 2021. A physical copy of the textbook was subsequently shipped on November 22, 2021 as per Mr. *******' request. Mr. ******* then requested to be transferred back to the Private Investigator program on December 16, 2021. The transfer request was completed and Mr. ******* was advised that no further transfer would be permitted. Over the course of his enrollment, Mr. ******* contacted our Student Services Department on numerous occasions and utilized a variety of available services, including instructor counseling and online exam submission. Students may discontinue their studies at any time over the course of their enrollment with SCI. Cancellation policies are included in the Tuition Contract and Service Guarantee provided to every student upon enrollment. Mr. ******* contacted our Student Services Department by telephone on December 1, 2022 to request the cancellation of his program. The program was subsequently cancelled that same day and a letter was issued to the student advising that the remaining balance of $379.55 was due and payable as per the Terms and Conditions of the aforementioned Tuition Contract and Service Guarantee. According to the contract, the remaining account balance will become immediately due and payable if the student has defaulted on their monthly tuition payments and it is not remedied within a 14-day period from the due date. As no tuition payment was received after October 3, 2022 until the date of cancellation, December 1, 2022 Mr. *******' account was considered in default.  While the balance of $379.55 is justified, and there are numerous discrepancies with Mr. *******' claim, I have authorized our Accounts Department to close the file with no further balance owed.  Should you require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me toll-free at *************** Our hours are from 8:00am to 4:30pm (EST) Monday through Thursday, and until 3:30pm on Fridays.  Sincerely, Brandi H*** Supervisor Student Services 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/08/2022

  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, 
  
  **** *******