Complaint Review: The Art Institute Of Pittsburgh Online Division - Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
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- Author Not Confirmed
- The Art Institute Of Pittsburgh Online Division 1400 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania United States of America
- Phone: 877-872-8869
- Web:
- Category: Adult Career & Continuing Education
The Art Institute Of Pittsburgh Online Division AIO Scammed Me With Misinformation and Convenient Ommition Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
*Consumer Comment: Spelling? Contract?
*Consumer Comment: Do Your Research
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I was checking out continuing education colleges as I wanted to enrich my mind and maybe be able to get into a different field of work one day, but I didn't have a lot of money. The woman from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh online division assured me that all my costs but a mere fraction would be taken care of by government loans.
This woman called me over and over and over and sorry to say, I was finally won over by sweet dreams of an affordable higher education.
I took a total of three classes. One of which was very good, but during the 2nd week of my fourth class I realized that I didn't have the time for 8 hours worth of homework so I called to say I was leaving the school. I was told that I couldn't because even though I was only in my second week I would be required to pay for the fourth class anyway. I told the advisor that there was no point in finishing a class if I was not doing well, and asked why I should have to pay for a class after only two weeks. I was given no sufficient answer.
After 3 finished classes and two weeks of another I owe Sallie Mae close to 7,000.00 dollars and I also owe The art institute of Pittsburgh over 4,000.00.
At no time was I informed how much I was going to owe the school itself. Courses were picked for me and no emails or phone calls ever elucidated me that my charges with the school itself were going into the thousands.
Yes, I was a fool for signing up for something that was too good to be true and am writing this in hopes that other people who aren't rich or well off don't make the same mistake I did.
The government allows scam private schools like these to thrive, especially in this economy with a lot of desperate people grasping at straws. If they didn't offer those loans to these thieves I would never have signed up. I knew I really couldn't afford it, but had no idea how the charges would rack up so quickly.
The art institute of pittsburgh is a scam that appeals to those with hopes and dreams which make them naive'. I have attended good colleges Like Visual Arts in NYC and never did I owe so much for only 3 clases.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 06/30/2010 11:05 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/the-art-institute-of-pittsburgh-online-division/pittsburgh-pennsylvania-15222/the-art-institute-of-pittsburgh-online-division-aio-scammed-me-with-misinformation-and-con-619154. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
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#2 Consumer Comment
Spelling? Contract?
AUTHOR: Bman - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, September 08, 2010
#1 Consumer Comment
Do Your Research
AUTHOR: Jesa - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, July 15, 2010
I have been a student of this school for over two years, and by the sounds of it you just failed to do your homework on the school itself. The costs for enrollment are clearly outlined on the website, as well as the fees associated with dropping out mid-semester (it's all clearly outlined in the student handbook).
If you were told in the beginning that your financial aid wouldn't fully cover your enrollment, you should have clarified with your adviser on exactly how much wouldn't be covered for each term or semester. Along with this, attending part-time instead of quarter-time (which it sounds like was your enrollment status, though I could be wrong) decreases the overall immediate costs.
I'd also like to point out that during admissions, you are assigned a financial aid adviser that clearly outlines your financial aid. You are required to sign indicating that you have read through all of your financial aid documents. They provide a breakdown of how much your total costs are going to be per year (estimated, because you can switch your enrollment status at any given time), and they also show where the money will come from; grants, scholarships, loans, and out-of-pocket expenses.
As for your mention of courses being picked for you, I'm not sure how you weren't able to take part in this. Each term you have to confirm your class schedule; you have the option to add or drop classes, and you can request to take a certain class through your academic adviser.
I'm by no means 100% about this school, but it honestly sounds like you didn't research enough into the school, nor ask enough questions during admissions.
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