Reviews

This profile includes reviews for Penn Foster's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Penn Foster

  200 Hickory St Scranton, PA 18505-1135

  
• 

  Penn Foster College

  14300 N Northsight Blvd Ste 125 Scottsdale, AZ 85260-3674

Review Details

• Review fromSayon K

  Date: 03/13/2025

  1 star
  They stole $600+ from us. The program used to work fine, but then they magically changed my password and student ID for literally no reason whatsoever. I haven't been able to log in for weeks, and I haven't received any emails. Terrible company, STAY AWAY!

  Penn Foster

  Date: 03/17/2025

  Hello *****,

  Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. We are sorry to hear that you have experienced log in issues. I have forwarded your contact information to one of our Subject Matter Experts within our Learner Success Advocate team. They will be reaching out shortly to assist you further.

  Thank you,

  *******

  Learner Success Accommodations Specialist

• Review fromKim F

  Date: 01/28/2025

  1 star
  I am extremely frustrated at this point with Penn Foster. Everything was moving along swimmingly until they opened the learner success program. It is NOT SUCCESSFUL to say the least. All my courses except for 2 are locked. I've repeatedly contacted support through chat as well as calling to no avail. If I do use their chat, it'll say 13 minutes until I am served, well, 50 minutes could go by and it still says 13 minutes! Then they transfer me or I get disconnected. I ask them not to connect me to the learners program to resolve my issues bc nobody helps me over there but they do it anyway. I've been going through this since December! I'm all paid up so that I can complete my GED which I desperately want and need to complete but HOW CAN I? There is also the practical English course that keeps saying I need to complete something and yet when I go to the course, cannot find what needs to be completed as I completed it in August of 2024! If you look under chat support, you'll find the many messages I've sent that are actually marked "RESOLVED" when NOTHING has been RESOLVED!! I don't even know it's been marked as such unless I sign in. No emails, no calls, no messages from ANYONE! And to think I was considering taking another course after completing my GED. Nope, not anymore. I'll bring my education and business ELSEWHERE where this doesn't happen. I've also notified other people that were considering giving this company their money for a course and told them NOT TO!!! Now I've missed over a month of classwork time bc of this switch and nobody communicating with me. I want a refund for the time I've missed and time added back that I lost due to their muck up!

  Penn Foster

  Date: 01/29/2025

  Dear Ms. ********************* you for taking the time to write a review for Penn Foster High School. I sincerely apologize for the lack of communication you have experienced, as this is not the experience we wish to set for our students. To provide clarity to your questions, I have sent you a direct email to the email associated with your account. I look forward to assisting you further.

  Best regards,

  Kendall 

  Learner Success Accommodations Specialist

• Review fromMadison S

  Date: 01/23/2025

  1 star
  I would give 0 if I could. I paid to enroll on their online program. None of my credits have transferred. I can't get a hold of anyone. On line chats disconnect. My email is not answered. When I tried to cancel, they asked for more money. I have never even started the program. They have my credit card info so I am concerned.

  Penn Foster

  Date: 01/27/2025

  Dear Madison,

  
  Thank you for taking the time to write a review and sharing your concerns. I am truly sorry to hear about your negative experience, as this is not the kind of experience we wish for our students.

  Please check the email associated with your student account as I have reached out to you directly to address your concerns.

  Thank you,

  *******

  Learner Success Accommodations Specialist

• Review fromPetra A

  Date: 01/16/2025

  1 star
  I let my time on my course lapse. That's on me. However, I am trying to give penn foster MORE MONEY for a 6 month extension so I can get it over with. I have been trying TO GIVE THEM MONEY!!! for about a week now. It took about 3 days for someone to tell me there is a problem on their end collecting payment. The agents are clueless and THERE IS NO ONE WITH ANSWERS ANYWHERE!!!!! I have to keep calling back, waiting on hold to be told the same thing...I don't know why this is happening....and asked the same stupid question...would you like to try another card? NO, I WOULD NOT LIKE TO TEY ANOTHER CARD!!! THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CARD. THE VERY SAME CARD PENN FOSTER TOOL ALLLLLLL MY PAYMENTS FROM AND WITHOUT FAIL. NOW IT'S THE CARD. To say I'm frustrated would be putting it lightly. Can I please pay this money and finish the course so I don't have to deal with penn foster anymore or can I get my money back?!

  Penn Foster

  Date: 01/21/2025

  Hello *****,

  Thank you for taking the time to review Penn Foster Group. I do apologize for the inconvenience and frustration you have faced as this is not the experience we strive to set for our students. I have reached out to you directly to resolve this issue so you can continue learning promptly. 

   

  Thank you,

  *******

  Learner Success Accommodations Specialist

• Review fromWhitney M

  Date: 10/26/2024

  1 star
  They are FRAUDS. My son spent the entire summer, so 6 weeks getting through their math course. Come to find out our entire state doesn't even accept credits from them. They say nowhere in their High School program that some states may not accept credits. Then when I wrote and said I want to cancel my plan, they said because he has finished his course already, we have to pay for everything. It had been actually less than 6 weeks and he had finished about 70 percent and they wanted me to pay over a thousand dollars. I reached out and they wouldn't budge. They said that I signed a contract agreeing to this. It's a way for frauds to get their money, even though they know some people may stop, or in this case demand to stop paying because they're not accepted. It's so ridiculous. I would suggest you stay away from this company.

  Penn Foster

  Date: 10/28/2024

  To whom it may concern:
  
  I am grateful for the opportunity to address Mr. ****** concerns. Mr. ***** officially enrolled in the Penn Foster High School program on May 23, 2024, by completing and submitting a signed enrollment agreement and fulfilling the necessary down payment requirements.
  
  On November 1, 2002, Penn Foster High School was granted accreditation by the ************************ on Secondary Schools. Penn Foster High School is accredited by the Distance Education ********************** (DEAC) in ***************, and our school is licensed by the ************************ of Private Licensed Schools. Penn Foster is also accredited by Cognia. Students wishing to transfer coursework from Penn Foster High School to another Institution should check with the receiving institution to understand their policy on transfer credits.
  
  We sincerely regret the inconvenience and frustration this has caused Mr. ****** Our Learner Success Team is fully committed to assisting Mr. ***** on his academic journey, and we wish him continued success as he progresses. At Penn Foster High School, we are dedicated to the educational advancement and overall satisfaction of all our students.
  
  Sincerely,
  ******* E
  Learner Success Specialist

• Review fromFa P

  Date: 10/26/2024

  1 star
  Please stand and stay clear from Penn Foster. High School. The School- staff and Administrators are very unprofessional. It appears everyone works from home and they all are not on the same page. It also appears that its about money and no accountability when they s**** up.They constantly debiting your bank account without your authorization, two and three times a month for monthly tuition. That is unacceptable and unheard of. When you attempt to call someone to try to get situation rectified, you never can get anyone to answer the phones or reply to emails. If I could give a -0 star I would.Their curriculum is subpar. This is all I have to say, anything else your thoughts may be lead you- it is what it is.

  Penn Foster

  Date: 10/28/2024

  To whom it may concern:
  
  I am saddened to learn of Fas concern(s) but could not locate an account with the information provided. We have reached out to the email provided to the BBB to try to locate the account and resolve their concerns.

  We are dedicated to the educational advancement and overall satisfaction of all our students.
  
  Sincerely,
  ******* E
  Learner Success Specialist

• Review fromHeather M

  Date: 09/30/2024

  1 star
  If i could leave less than one star i would do so. I work at a community college in ********, and we keep getting Penn Foster graduates younger and younger. They can't even complete their student profile by themselves at our college. You want to tell me that a 14 year old has completed 4 years of high school in 6 months because they are "smart" and yet are unwilling to take any 'in-person' classes? That's because they cheated their way thru Penn Foster's ridiculous academics! How is the US government allowing this school to be accredited? What a scam and sham! This is our future - full of losers that lie, cheat and can't read or do basic math and yet, have a high school degree and are now qualified to have college paid for with financial aid from our tax dollars!!! Shame on the **!!

  Penn Foster

  Date: 10/18/2024

  We appreciate you taking the time to submit a review for Penn Foster High School. Your feedback is invaluable, and we use each review to continuously improve the experience for all Penn Foster High School was granted accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools. Penn Foster High School is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) in Washington D.C., and our school is licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools. Penn Foster is also accredited by Cognia.
  
  Completion of our high school program represents a major commitment to self-improvement and career growth. The programs offered by our school are conducted entirely by independent study and require dedicated effort and self-motivation considerably above the average. 
  We recognize that each situation is unique, and we are dedicated to addressing each one with individual attention.

• Review fromGloria S

  Date: 09/24/2024

  1 star
  This is a terrible school pertaining to the amount they charged. I went to this school a few years ago and completed 1 semester. I attempted to re-enroll into the curriculum that I first attempted. They confirmed that everything was good. I talked to several people trying to get my credits (from the first program I started at this school) transferred and told I had to wait for 5-7 business days. The person I talked to had me to enroll and wait for the credits to be transferred. In the meantime, if I cancelled and waited I was told I had to start all over from the beginning. The person I talked to that had me to sign a contract did not tell me that I had to pay the difference between the price of the old and now the new even though I did not have to take any of the classes over again in the 1st semester because they all transferred. I found out 2 weeks later when the classes finally got transferred, now they are holding me responsible for the price difference because I signed the contract. A bunch of liars and scammers. Do not bother to do any programs under them.

  Penn Foster

  Date: 09/25/2024

  Dear ******,

  We appreciate you taking the time to submit a review for Penn Foster College. We recognize that each student's situation is unique, and we are dedicated to addressing each one with individual attention, ensuring the progress and satisfaction of all our students.
  According to our records, you were enrolled in our ******************* Program at Penn Foster College. Your request to withdraw from our program was received and processed on September 19, 2024. 

  We apologize for any inconvenience and misunderstanding you have faced during your time in the program.  We extend our sympathy for your situation. Given the circumstances you have faced, we updated the account balance for Term 1 to reflect zero liability.
  We regret that your experience has not met your expectations. Our Learner Success Team has sent out a communication email detailing your options if you choose to continue your studies in your course with us.

  Our Learner Success Team is fully committed to supporting you in your journey, regardless of if it is continued with us at Penn Foster College or with another institution of your choosing. Your feedback is invaluable, and we use each review to continuously improve the experience for all our students.

  Best regards,
  ******* E

• Review fromsamantha t

  Date: 09/23/2024

  1 star
  Total scam do not go to this school. Had to drop out due to medical issues paid my early drop out fee yet kept getting charged. Called multiple times and was told I was all set and did not owe them anything. They then sent my info to a collection agency claiming I owed them money. I called them only to be put on hold for 2 hours because they were hoping I would hang up and they would not have to deal with me. I cant believe they are allowed to still be in business stay far away from this school.

  Penn Foster

  Date: 09/25/2024

  Dear ********,

  We appreciate you taking the time to submit a review for Penn Foster College. We recognize that each student's situation is unique, and we are dedicated to addressing each one with individual attention, ensuring the progress and satisfaction of all our students.
  According to our records, you were enrolled in our Veterinary Assistant Program at Penn Foster College for just over 30 days. Your request to withdraw from our program was submitted on April 3, 2024, and processed within 4 business days on April 9, 2024.  

  We apologize for any inconvenience and misunderstanding you have faced during your time in the program.  We extend our sympathy for your situation. Given the circumstances you have faced, we have removed your account from collections and updated the account balance to reflect zero liability.

  We regret that your experience has not met your expectations.Should you decide to continue your studies with us in the future, we would be delighted to support you throughout your educational journey.

  Your feedback is invaluable, and we use each review to continuously improve the experience for all our students.

  Best regards,
  ******** S

• Review fromAudrey s

  Date: 09/12/2024

  1 star
  This is the worst school ever they do have a time frame I paid all my money they change systems some of my classes was not transferred over and they replaced it with new classes the classes that I failed I have to retake which I do understand but I have to pay for the classes that they replace that I already paid for I was told I only had a few credits to go I have credits that can be transferred I was told that I could not transfer my credits because I've already taken a lot of a classes this is a rip off please do not use this school find another way time wasted

  Penn Foster

  Date: 09/16/2024

  Dear ******, Thank you for taking the time to review Penn Foster. We recognize that each student's situation is unique, and we are dedicated to addressing each one with individual attention, ensuring the progress and satisfaction of all our students.According to our records, you were enrolled in our High School program for the maximum duration allowed. We have made efforts to extend your enrollment within the permitted time frame. Our ***************** of Excellence has evaluated your transcripts and confirmed that we can transfer the maximum number of credits to your new program.We deeply sympathize with your situation and regret that your experience has not met your expectations. We apologize for any inconvenience you have faced and wish you the very best in whichever path you choose. Should you decide to continue your studies with us, we would be delighted to support you throughout your educational journey.Your feedback is invaluable, and we use each review to continuously improve the experience for all our students.Best regards,******************