Regency Beauty Institute

I am a student that attended Regency Beauty Institute from 5/30/14 until 3/31/15 when I was terminated less than 30 days from graduation. From the beginning i was rushed into starting classes before my financial aid was completed. My adviser and financial aid rep informed me, and assured, that I would be approved and everything would be covered. Less than 30 days into school I was told that I needed to get a student loan in order to cover additional cost financial aid didn't cover. From that point, everything went downhill.
I enrolled in a full time status which meant I was in school daily from 9am - 4:30pm. Basically which was the equivalent of a job. After the student loan was arranged, i was told that I needed to make payments on it immediately or I would face being terminated from school. Given the hours I was enrolled, finding employment was difficult. I had just graduated high school and living with friends. They were also requiring me to pay rent so once I found a PT job that was my first priority. I brought this to the attention of the administration and no understanding was given. I felt like I had signed an agreement with a loan shark and either had to make payments or receive the constant threats of termination. This continued from 6/30/14 until 3/30/14 .
On 3/31/14, with only 200 hours left until graduation, I was told that I was being terminated from school until I paid $1, 663.64. At that time I could return to school and finish. I spoke to the staff at the school on 4/15/2014 and was told as long as I send some type of payment, they would allow me to come back and finish. That had to be a lie because on 4/20/14 I received mail from the school now saying I owed $3, 725.34. I haven't been in school and have no idea how my balance increased by 124%.
This school has definitely got to be a scam because I am not the first student this has happen to. While in school I personally know of at least 11 other people that have had this happen to them. Several had their parents tap into saving to pay off the debt just for them to graduate. I have also never heard of a student loan being paid back while in school. The school is simply only about the money and shuffle students in to make sure they continue to make a profit. They don't care about the graduation or placement of students because it's more about numbers. From day one my financial aid was in question and now I am suffering behind it. I had the choice of going to college or attending this school and I chose Regency because I desired a career in cosmetology. I now feel I made the biggest mistake of my life because my credit is ruined, I can't attend another school because they won't release my transcript, and I've destroyed my chance of going to a college. My suggestion to anyone desiring to attend cosmetology school, do your research on your school. Choose Aveda or Paul Mitchell because they are more reputable. Another choice is to find a salon where you can do an internship or apprenticeship program. It will take longer but it's less costly and allows you to get hands on training in the actual salon. BEWARE OF REGENCY BEAUTY INSTITUTE and their incompetent financial staff and administration. You will definitely be disappointed.