I am in the LPN to RN program with Excelsior College and use The College Network (TCN) for the online education material to help me with my theory exams that I take through Excelsior College. I had a financial contract with TCN who worked with Souteast Fininacial for the financng and I pay my monthly fee. As of 11/2014, this loan was paid off. As a part of my financial contract, I included my testing fees. This means that once I have finish a theory lesson/module and have completed all quizes in this theory with a 90% or higher, I contact TCN to request payment for exam fee to be sent to me so I can pay and take my theory exam with Excelsior College. TCN has access to all my scores on my quizes since all the modules are online.
On 10/14/14 I requested payment and was instructed it would take 12 weeks to recieve. On 12/29/14 I emailed TCN regarding progress of my exam fee and was received a reply stating "We apologize for the delay in processing your exam fee request for Reproductive Health. We have notified Accounting of your inquiry in order to escalate your request. Checks are being sent to customers daily, however a large influx of requests has lead to increased processing times." I made another contact through online chat on 1/14/15 and was given the same excuse. On 1/22/15 I filed a complaint with the BBB. This is the second complaint I have filed with the BBB regarding the same issue. After filing the complaint I contacted TCN online chat and informed them of the BBB complaint and was given the same response as stated above. A few hours after that contact I received this email
Dear J*******,
Your recent exam fee request has been processed and will be mailed shortly.
If you have any questions or concerns prior to taking your exam, please contact Academic Support at 1-800-634-1443.
Best wishes for success on your exam!
Sincerely,
Test Fee Services
Academic Support department
On 1/26/15 I received a response from TCN regarding my BBB complaint. Take note that Bernard J. Schrader purposely left his contact information incomplete.
I have reviewed your email dated January 22, 2015 pertaining to J******* *******’s complaint.
TCN sent J******* ******* and exam fee check in the amount of $325 on January 22, 2015.
J******* *******'s program was designed so she can study when she is ready to study; the TCN staff is here to assist in obtaining her degree Monday-Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
If I can be of further service, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Bernard J. Schrader
Director of Customer Relations
The College Network, Inc.
1-800-
I have rejected this response and have requested BBB to keep complaint open until I receive payment.
As of 2/5/15 I have not received payment and had to pay for my exam with my own money. I have since passed this exam approximatley 3 months ago and will be taking my last and final theory exam in which I have paid for out of my pocket. My account is paid in full and TCN is withholding my last two exam fees which totals to $650. Everytime I request a fee, I have to file a complaint with BBB or consumer reports in order to get paid. This program is not a study at your own pace. You study at TCNs pace. What is happeng to these students who can't afford to pay theses exam fees themselves and have to wait for TCN to send them a check.
Can please someone help me I paid over $10,000 in full to the college network and I cannot get my degree they are no longer accepted in the state of California. I have contacted them and in so many words I'm screwed. If there is anybody out there in California or anywhere else seeking their money back from the college network please set me up on a class-action. Mt email [email protected]
I too have had the same experience.... I have been waiting since February 2015 for one check! Terrible business!! Does anyone know what I should do to get in touch with someone so I can get my checks?
I've been waiting for a refund from The College Network for at least $1764 for over 3 month. There has been no status update on this and in the meantime I am getting charged my monthly payment by the loan company. My refund more than covers the total balance left. I can't get a live person who can actually tell me what is happening to this refund, instead I am directed to send an email. I've been told at least twice that the "have notified Accounts Payable of your inquiry in order to bump it up the list." I finally spoke to someone today who was not able to help much or direct me to a live person that could, but she was able to check notes and the only thing that shows for the past 3 months are my inquiries, but no actual movement on this refund.
Last month I got a notice that my loan was sold to another company - I shouldn't even have a loan when they are the ones who owe me money!
I've basically spend thousands of dollars on "education" that didn't get me anywhere and by the time I was locked into this contract the course was no longer valid in my state.
You are better off buying books at Barnes and Noble to study for these CLEP exams instead of purchasing their modules.
My story is very similar to everyone elses. I signed up back in 2006, just after I finished PN school. I too was under the impression that it was a distance learning college. I learned shortly thereafter that it was not, was unable to cancel, I paid in somewhere around $12k before I switched banks and stopped paying them. They filed suit against me for somewhere around $2k. I prepared and presented an answer for the judge and wrote Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster a ver...y strongly worded letter about TCN preying upon Missouri's nurses, taking money from already struggling families. He took action and TCN reviewed the info that I submitted to the judge and the case was dismissed, TCN wrote a letter to myself and AG Chris Koster appologising for any misunderstandings and stated that I was considered to be in good standing with TCN and could "return to their program at no further cost to me" at any time that I chose to (NOT gonna do that, their program is worthless), but I will continue to fight them, they still have my sister for $10,000 and thousands of others. I am asking everyone to fight with me. Send letters, send emails, to your Attorney General, to your Congressman, your states Board of Education, do whatever you can. I have sent hundreds of letters and emails- I copy and paste, send it on to the next- I set up a change.org petition some time ago and I have now reopened it for new signitures, if you have not signed it already, take the time!
Last year I enrolled with The College Network near the fall of 2014. My represenative was very kind and professional and we spoke briefly of The College Network and the services which they provide. I always liked financial structure and always liked the reassurance of knowing I would be able to afford and complete my objectives and deadlines, therefore liked a feature with the college network where they will send you a check to pay for an examination fee ( also known as check request). Since this feature sounded catchy, I asked of course the time frame it would take to receive my check, and I was told it would take two weeks. At first I was hesitant because I was not thrilled of the time frame, but the represenative advised just ask for the check well in advanced and I should be fine. Therefore based on this condition I agreed to join the college network.
In september 2014 I made my first check request. I contacted the college network once seeing a delay was taking place, and continued for months on end until it reached 9 MONTHS! To receive my first check request. Naturally I was at my ends meet with this company and was very bothered. Therefore I decided to test the companies integrity further and requested my second check request ( since I had to pay my first exam out of pocket, I was already ready for exam 2 ). It took them 1 month( after the two week time frame ) to send me the second check. So I told them I had wanted to terminate the contract based on there not honoring the services which were mentioned to me prior to start up. ( Mind you not only the represenative mentioned the 2 week time frame, but also when you called the customer support desk at the time they too said 2 weeks. Also I do not blaim the sign up represenative because I am assuming they are trained by this company on what to say).
In end I called and asked there represenative how may I go about terminating the contract. They advised I had to send a letter to a review board committee. Unfortunately the same week I called was the same week the company said they had to receive the letter in order for it to be included in there next up coming meet. I had found this bizarre because I had sent the letter and it was in there posession several days prior to there meeting because there staff confirmed it. They just refused to include it as part of there meeting. So the company made me wait 2 months to reviewing my request. They then told me once reviewed I had to wait 2 more weeks for the resolution letter to be sent in the mail to me and I would receive it towards the end of the month ( talk about inefficiency and playing with individuals time ). The conclusion from the letter was that I had to continue with my financial obligations with the lender. No explanations as to why, no apologies. The letter was pretty much a basic template they have, not personal, no sympathy pretty much a 5 year old could print this letter out since it didn't really appear as much was reviewed or considered. I was taken back they arrived to this conclusion knowing I had proof of there not following the agreed upon terms, such as written sources demonstrating the time frame was not honored ( email clearly shows the 9 months time frame, amongst others ).
Since the start of my beginning with this dispute, new developments have occured. It seems the very bank my loan is with Southeast financial credit union is also suing the College Network. New individuals have posted similar cases as mine online where the check requests have taken close to a years time to receive. The Florida State Attorney General is now also investigating the College Network it seems ( Should they decide to pursuit this, this would make the 3rd State Attorney Generals office pursuing the College Network, Indiana and New York the first two ).
What can I say, what it comes down to. Is did you provide the agreed upon service ? yes or no. In this case it was a dramatic no. The proof is clear as day therefore you need to void the contract after two occasions not providing what was implied and agreed upon. I mean come on 9 months ? you should have at least provided spectacular customer care, rather than delaying me for a second time a month again waiting for the check. How can I trust this company with the next 4 or so check request? Especially while I wait for the check to take my exam, I have a daily interest rate building up. I cannot expedite my self paced program if relying only on the college networks checks to take the exams. I hope more victims as I start to emerge, this company needs to be shut down since they clearly do not know how to get there act together. They are making innocent people suffer. People who have good intentions and want to better there lives the right way, not in this unethical way of which this company is trying to make a living.
P.S. The area of disapointment seems to be in areas regarding check requests. Do your google searches, you will see there is a grave matter at hand with this organization.
The College Network Reviews
I am in the LPN to RN program with Excelsior College and use The College Network (TCN) for the online education material to help me with my theory exams that I take through Excelsior College. I had a financial contract with TCN who worked with Souteast Fininacial for the financng and I pay my monthly fee. As of 11/2014, this loan was paid off. As a part of my financial contract, I included my testing fees. This means that once I have finish a theory lesson/module and have completed all quizes in this theory with a 90% or higher, I contact TCN to request payment for exam fee to be sent to me so I can pay and take my theory exam with Excelsior College. TCN has access to all my scores on my quizes since all the modules are online.
On 10/14/14 I requested payment and was instructed it would take 12 weeks to recieve. On 12/29/14 I emailed TCN regarding progress of my exam fee and was received a reply stating "We apologize for the delay in processing your exam fee request for Reproductive Health. We have notified Accounting of your inquiry in order to escalate your request. Checks are being sent to customers daily, however a large influx of requests has lead to increased processing times." I made another contact through online chat on 1/14/15 and was given the same excuse. On 1/22/15 I filed a complaint with the BBB. This is the second complaint I have filed with the BBB regarding the same issue. After filing the complaint I contacted TCN online chat and informed them of the BBB complaint and was given the same response as stated above. A few hours after that contact I received this email
Dear J*******,
Your recent exam fee request has been processed and will be mailed shortly.
If you have any questions or concerns prior to taking your exam, please contact Academic Support at 1-800-634-1443.
Best wishes for success on your exam!
Sincerely,
Test Fee Services
Academic Support department
On 1/26/15 I received a response from TCN regarding my BBB complaint. Take note that Bernard J. Schrader purposely left his contact information incomplete.
I have reviewed your email dated January 22, 2015 pertaining to J******* *******’s complaint.
TCN sent J******* ******* and exam fee check in the amount of $325 on January 22, 2015.
J******* *******'s program was designed so she can study when she is ready to study; the TCN staff is here to assist in obtaining her degree Monday-Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
If I can be of further service, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Bernard J. Schrader
Director of Customer Relations
The College Network, Inc.
1-800-
I have rejected this response and have requested BBB to keep complaint open until I receive payment.
As of 2/5/15 I have not received payment and had to pay for my exam with my own money. I have since passed this exam approximatley 3 months ago and will be taking my last and final theory exam in which I have paid for out of my pocket. My account is paid in full and TCN is withholding my last two exam fees which totals to $650. Everytime I request a fee, I have to file a complaint with BBB or consumer reports in order to get paid. This program is not a study at your own pace. You study at TCNs pace. What is happeng to these students who can't afford to pay theses exam fees themselves and have to wait for TCN to send them a check.
Can please someone help me I paid over $10,000 in full to the college network and I cannot get my degree they are no longer accepted in the state of California. I have contacted them and in so many words I'm screwed. If there is anybody out there in California or anywhere else seeking their money back from the college network please set me up on a class-action. Mt email [email protected]
College Network
I too have had the same experience.... I have been waiting since February 2015 for one check! Terrible business!! Does anyone know what I should do to get in touch with someone so I can get my checks?
I've been waiting for a refund from The College Network for at least $1764 for over 3 month. There has been no status update on this and in the meantime I am getting charged my monthly payment by the loan company. My refund more than covers the total balance left. I can't get a live person who can actually tell me what is happening to this refund, instead I am directed to send an email. I've been told at least twice that the "have notified Accounts Payable of your inquiry in order to bump it up the list." I finally spoke to someone today who was not able to help much or direct me to a live person that could, but she was able to check notes and the only thing that shows for the past 3 months are my inquiries, but no actual movement on this refund.
Last month I got a notice that my loan was sold to another company - I shouldn't even have a loan when they are the ones who owe me money!
I've basically spend thousands of dollars on "education" that didn't get me anywhere and by the time I was locked into this contract the course was no longer valid in my state.
You are better off buying books at Barnes and Noble to study for these CLEP exams instead of purchasing their modules.
My story is very similar to everyone elses. I signed up back in 2006, just after I finished PN school. I too was under the impression that it was a distance learning college. I learned shortly thereafter that it was not, was unable to cancel, I paid in somewhere around $12k before I switched banks and stopped paying them. They filed suit against me for somewhere around $2k. I prepared and presented an answer for the judge and wrote Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster a ver...y strongly worded letter about TCN preying upon Missouri's nurses, taking money from already struggling families. He took action and TCN reviewed the info that I submitted to the judge and the case was dismissed, TCN wrote a letter to myself and AG Chris Koster appologising for any misunderstandings and stated that I was considered to be in good standing with TCN and could "return to their program at no further cost to me" at any time that I chose to (NOT gonna do that, their program is worthless), but I will continue to fight them, they still have my sister for $10,000 and thousands of others. I am asking everyone to fight with me. Send letters, send emails, to your Attorney General, to your Congressman, your states Board of Education, do whatever you can. I have sent hundreds of letters and emails- I copy and paste, send it on to the next- I set up a change.org petition some time ago and I have now reopened it for new signitures, if you have not signed it already, take the time!
https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-college-network-tcn-from-scamming-americans-i-want-the-college-network-to-stop-scamming-hard-working-americans?recruiter=6225669&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
If you're upset about TCN taking your money, do something about it! THROW A FIT! Make public officals take notice with all the complaints pouring in!
Last year I enrolled with The College Network near the fall of 2014. My represenative was very kind and professional and we spoke briefly of The College Network and the services which they provide. I always liked financial structure and always liked the reassurance of knowing I would be able to afford and complete my objectives and deadlines, therefore liked a feature with the college network where they will send you a check to pay for an examination fee ( also known as check request). Since this feature sounded catchy, I asked of course the time frame it would take to receive my check, and I was told it would take two weeks. At first I was hesitant because I was not thrilled of the time frame, but the represenative advised just ask for the check well in advanced and I should be fine. Therefore based on this condition I agreed to join the college network.
In september 2014 I made my first check request. I contacted the college network once seeing a delay was taking place, and continued for months on end until it reached 9 MONTHS! To receive my first check request. Naturally I was at my ends meet with this company and was very bothered. Therefore I decided to test the companies integrity further and requested my second check request ( since I had to pay my first exam out of pocket, I was already ready for exam 2 ). It took them 1 month( after the two week time frame ) to send me the second check. So I told them I had wanted to terminate the contract based on there not honoring the services which were mentioned to me prior to start up. ( Mind you not only the represenative mentioned the 2 week time frame, but also when you called the customer support desk at the time they too said 2 weeks. Also I do not blaim the sign up represenative because I am assuming they are trained by this company on what to say).
In end I called and asked there represenative how may I go about terminating the contract. They advised I had to send a letter to a review board committee. Unfortunately the same week I called was the same week the company said they had to receive the letter in order for it to be included in there next up coming meet. I had found this bizarre because I had sent the letter and it was in there posession several days prior to there meeting because there staff confirmed it. They just refused to include it as part of there meeting. So the company made me wait 2 months to reviewing my request. They then told me once reviewed I had to wait 2 more weeks for the resolution letter to be sent in the mail to me and I would receive it towards the end of the month ( talk about inefficiency and playing with individuals time ). The conclusion from the letter was that I had to continue with my financial obligations with the lender. No explanations as to why, no apologies. The letter was pretty much a basic template they have, not personal, no sympathy pretty much a 5 year old could print this letter out since it didn't really appear as much was reviewed or considered. I was taken back they arrived to this conclusion knowing I had proof of there not following the agreed upon terms, such as written sources demonstrating the time frame was not honored ( email clearly shows the 9 months time frame, amongst others ).
Since the start of my beginning with this dispute, new developments have occured. It seems the very bank my loan is with Southeast financial credit union is also suing the College Network. New individuals have posted similar cases as mine online where the check requests have taken close to a years time to receive. The Florida State Attorney General is now also investigating the College Network it seems ( Should they decide to pursuit this, this would make the 3rd State Attorney Generals office pursuing the College Network, Indiana and New York the first two ).
What can I say, what it comes down to. Is did you provide the agreed upon service ? yes or no. In this case it was a dramatic no. The proof is clear as day therefore you need to void the contract after two occasions not providing what was implied and agreed upon. I mean come on 9 months ? you should have at least provided spectacular customer care, rather than delaying me for a second time a month again waiting for the check. How can I trust this company with the next 4 or so check request? Especially while I wait for the check to take my exam, I have a daily interest rate building up. I cannot expedite my self paced program if relying only on the college networks checks to take the exams. I hope more victims as I start to emerge, this company needs to be shut down since they clearly do not know how to get there act together. They are making innocent people suffer. People who have good intentions and want to better there lives the right way, not in this unethical way of which this company is trying to make a living.
P.S. The area of disapointment seems to be in areas regarding check requests. Do your google searches, you will see there is a grave matter at hand with this organization.