Walden University
Reviews and Complaints

I have been attending Walden University for years for a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am in my field experience and not getting assistance from Walden to help complete my hours so I can graduate. Emails to counselors and field experience coordinators have been lacking assistance or guidance for me and I cannot get degree without completing hours. I feel cheated and defrauded for years and thousands of dollars in student loans to reach my goal. I am 64 years old and am disheartened and disillusioned by what I consider to be illegal acts by this school.

At the beginning of October, I finally received a response to my complaint from Linda L. Anthony at Walden University which said, "I have conducted a thorough review of your account to determine the calculation of your military reduction savings. According to your account history, you attended Walden University beginning with term 200550 through term 201330, and based on a 10% military reduction your total savings was $9, 611.21. You were granted a refund in the amount of $9, 141.22 on 06/06/2014 and then a second refund was processed in error and released to you on 06/11/2014. On 7/30/2014 an audit was done on your account and an additional waiver was approved and processed for $469.99 to give you the full 10% savings.

As of today, you have paid back $4, 572.23 and have a remaining open balance for $3, 500.00 (excel workbook "Payments" tab). Your last payment was on 03/25/2020, please let me know when you can resume payments as I have held your account back from Collections."

Initially, I explained to Ms. Anthony that the only reason I made any payments toward the disputed amount owed was because I worked for Walden University and did not want to lose my job.

Then, after reviewing her list of payments made, I once again noticed discrepancies in her calculations. I saw that payments were missing from the excel workbook list, and classes were not listed, therefore the 10% discount was not included in her disputed calculated amount owed.

When I pointed this out, I was asked to provide proof of payment in the form of a canceled check and was told that she would review this and the classes not listed. I did as she asked, and to date, and I still have not received a response back. This is the typical Walden runaround!

My current suggestion to anyone thinking about attending Walden DO NOT. I currently attend Walden University. I chose to attend Walden University because various family members, including my mother, were alumni, and they raved about Walden University. I am here to say that the Walden my family raved about does not exist. Since my first class, my experience has been HORRIBLE. First of all, Walden states that they will take transfer credit., Welp, this is untrue. Despite me submitting everything and completing a parallel analysis of courses and descriptions Walden could not give me credit for ANY COURSES taken at another school, even though the course descriptions are almost identical. Walden will not take the credits.
Second, I withdrew in Spring 2021 to provide increased care for my mother, who became wheelchair-bound permanently. At first, my mother's care needs were highly intense, but as time progressed, they decreased. Therefore, with family support and the hiring of a full-time nurse to help me care for her, enabling me to return for the 2021 Summer. Upon my return, I was given a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) warning for making unsatisfactory progress. Although my grades were good for the Summer 2021 semester, my SAP was 54%, 13 points shy of 67%, because I could only take 10 credit hours, not 19, which I understood. So I continued on enrolling in the 2021 Fall semester, knowing that I would make my adequate SAP at the end of this semester; once again, I understood this part. But, what I don't understand is Walden's refusal to accept the documentation I have to provide them to support my claim.
For my SAP appeal, I have attached all the supporting documentation that I have, and then some just to show background (See Attachment), But for Walden, it is not enough. They want an end date, my mother is permanently in wheelchair care, and support will be ongoing. There are no doctors for that; what I have is all I can get. What I have submitted to Walden was what I submitted to federal agencies etc.. and it was good enough, but not for Walden. I have asked for help, but FinAid Management is unhelpful. Without SAP approval will have to withdraw again, putting me even further behind. I will never finish. It is like I am being punished for pausing to take care of my mother, who was in need.
I should not have to beg and plead with Walden especially when I have documentation to prove my claim. It appears that after enrollment Walden no longer cares about its students or their well-being.

The school has changed names and claiming they cannot release financial aid until the process has been completed. I called this morning and they still can't give a date when financial aid will be released and refunds issued. I was told, after the release, I will still have to wait 14 days before I get my refund. It is always something with this school.

9/10/2021
On May 23, 2014, I received an email (please see attached), from Walden University's Bursars Office, and a later payment for a retroactive tuition reduction based on my military status. The Bursar Petition Committee and university leadership, according to the email, said they "would like to extend a refundable tuition waiver in the amount of $9, 142.22 due to (my) missed savings." This amount was a random, arbitrary number, and gave no real accounting for the actual amount owed. In fact, according to my calculations, which were based on real numbers, this amount is far less than what was actually owed me.
The Walden University's Bursars Office then made a direct deposit into my account for more than their stated amount owned. The office then immediately placed a hold on my academic records and demanded payment. Not only is this ridiculous, unfair, it is also contrary to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) [20 USC 1232g and 34 CFR 99] and thus, is according to this agency and others, against the law. I request that Walden University forthwith make my student account current, paid in full, and release my transcripts immediately.

I am very dissatisfied with this past session. It began with my academic advisor. The delay in getting me enrolled in my class was ridiculous. I then get an email, 6 weeks into the program that I am now enrolled and I need to log in before I get removed. I contacted my chair and provided my edits (no response). I then receive a bill for the full amount! I was not even enrolled from day 1. I contacted the bursar office and was informed it is computer generated. I contacted my advisor informing why should I be responsible for the full amount if I was not enrolled from day one. No response. I have yet to receive any type of response or contact from anyone. Very displeased with Walden. It seems to me like Walden is a big money racket (especially if one is paying out of their own pocket). I did not see having to pay the full amount if I was not enrolled until the 6th week of class. Then I did not get any type of feedback or response from neither person that I contacted. Very dissatisfied with Walden (especially after this session). I feel I may need to voice my concerns elsewhere and therefore I am not sure I will be returning due to not being able to afford it. I am now over 100 thousand dollars in the hole and have since been paying out of my own pocket In addition, I am looking to file a formal complaint to go higher up. Looking at all of the previous complaints, this seems to be an ongoing thing.

Walden University misrepresent how long it takes to complete a doctorate degree, with me, it is taking over 7 years, at a cost of 135, 021.14 presently. Numerous students have sued Walden University and their parent company Laureate Education. Dept. of Education settled a student class action lawsuit against Walden, allowing students with federal loans to forgive debt, but that does not help privately financed students. Laureate are attempting to dump Walden by selling to Adtalem by March 2021, but now Adtalem have wised up snd are trying to terminate the deal. The US Dept of Justice are now investigating Laureate and Walden. This all means students will be the ultimate losers!

My higher educational experience with Walden University has been highly professional and frustrating. I am currently enrolled in Walden University Graduate Tempo Program. The courses began in February 2020. In March 2020 I was unfortunately effect by the COVID19 Pandemic. I became ill, loss my job and cared for other family members who was effected by the virus. Walden University decides to withhold my financial aid. When I contacted the academic advisor and financial aid department that stated that I have to meet a certain credit on the courses to receive financial aid funds. I stated that this is an extremely difficult time for many Americans. I have filed a complaint with the Department of Education Civil Rights, The Inspector General Office and The Federal Student Loan Department. Walden refuses to support their students.

So In June the 12th to the 24th I was sick. I could not focus on the class load. because my illness. So Walden kicked me out of the program. I asked the professor for help with the assignments she seemed busy with other people. I filed an appeal sent everything to them. A note from the outpatient Walden Officials wanted them to elaborate on my illness. And to add insult to injury, they had me go through the process of enrolling into another program again. I went through the process AGAIN, only to not be accepted. No reason given. I guess once they get the money its deny access. They claimed I have a 2.8 in the program. however when I checked my core courses 3.1? I have never had an issue. It seemed like a revolving door of administrators who have no idea who you are until you complain it takes them 3 day to get back to you. Its a waste of money. I received a Masters from Walden. How is it that a person, that has a great academic track record not be accepted into a school he had been attending?

I started classes in 2014, I was told I would be done in 16 months here it is 2020 and I am still not done, I am now in collections because Walden kept advising I needed more general study classes and electives to the point I ran out of money. I have spoken to other colleges and they advised that is way to many electives and general studies for a bachelor's degree, I was also told when I started the money I had for financial aid and loans I would have more than enough to graduate. So In 2018, I couldn't finish so a 16 months course turned into almost 4 years. I feel I should have already had my degree and not have to spend over 8000.00 more out of my pocket. I am ready to hire a lawyer and go to the board of education. I was told by my advisor that I needed these classes incase I wanted to work out side my degree, I am not sure how that is even right. I need to get this resolved so I can get a degree that I will have to pay on vert shortly

I have many complaints against Walden and hiring a lawyer. I was supposed to graduate this week but Walden told me I had to take another class my GPA was 2.98 but my professor did not grade my assignments correctly and he was supposed to go back and grade them and did not. I had to start my class two weeks late because of COVID and the professor would never email me back on how to get caught up on my assignments. The advisor was no help and told me basically I needed to take another course. I do not know how I made an A in my clinicals and they gave me a C for my class when the professor did not grade my assignments correctly. Anytime I had issues and reached out to someone they never got back with me.

The attached documents refer.
Having waited patiently for someone higher up to get in touch with regard to unprofessional customer support by Daniel Marti Moreno who failed or deliberately ignored an email sent on April 16, 2020, I decided that the best way forward is via this platform. Daniel did, however, send an email on May 22, probably after someone asked him to, but it did not address my concerns. Accordingly, it did not make sense to respond to the email sent on May 22.
As someone who grew up in an environment where people like me were treated like sub-human beings, I least expected this kind of treatment, especially from a prestigious University like Walden. Right now I am concerned with why I was treated the way I was treated so that I learn from my fault or mistake. Admittedly, my resolve and iron will is unstoppable, and mulling to continue my journey with a University that treats students with respect and prioritizes their welfare.

Was told I would have classes transferred over, that never actually where or accepted and at the end of the semester I end up having to owe 4000.00 plus dollars and within less than a year the school has sent me to a debt collection agency and then still calls me like I am a student in the program.

Getting your refund from this school each quarter is a nightmare. Getting them to explain how refund are issued is useless. They never give a straight answer and always point you back to the student manual. My friend and I financial aid posted to our accounts the same day which was on March 5. We both started classes on the same day. She has received her refund, and my account is still showing a credit. I called to ask and all I got was a generic answer. I am really tired of this school. I think things would change once the president went from interim to official things would change. What a joke! Today is March 10 and I'm still waiting on my refund.

Last year Walden university offered the MPhil degree to students who have completed the coursework prior to entering the dissertation phase. Unfortunately I didn't meet the criteria because I was dismissed from the program due to unsatisfactory grades. I contacted academic advisors to reenroll but was informed that Walden university is not accepting students from New York state, due to an issue with the department of education state legislation . So now I'm ABD and in debt. One thing Walden university can do for me is grant me the MPhil degree because I doubt it if the state legislation issue will be resolved. In the meantime I'm trying to pay off my student loans.

This school lied to me about the BSN to MSN program. When I first signed up, I was told by an advisor they will accept my 8 years experience as an LPN and 1-year experience as an RN since you need 2 years of experience. A year later when I almost have done the BSN program, I am now told they will not take my LPN into consideration and will have to wait another year. Not only have I spent thousands of dollars on 3 MSN courses that I really didn't need and have to wait 1 more year to get into the MSN program. This is fraud and unacceptable that I was lied to.

I contacted financial aid several times regarding an issue and to no avail was unable to get any assistance. Since they couldn't help they told me that a supervisor would call me back within two days. What type of university has its students to wsit 2 days for a response to an issue. Needless to say I never received a call back but an email to my issue which is still unresolved. I contacted the presidents office and spoke to the ombudsman who stated he would have the financial aid director contact me and that never happened. I am in week 9 of my second class and after completing I will not enroll in any additional classes with this incompetent university. There's no way I will spend this type of money on classes and when I call someone about an issue can't get a resolve. My name is Shalathiel Sharp and phone number is [protected].

I was remove from online class. I was attending weekly turning in my assignment. They was saying I only had 171 points and the grade book. I had a 180. The first week I had 91 points. I redid my assignment made a 90 that's a total of 180. Financial aid saying they have not receive disbursement. There was a balance of $3, 212 now the account has $ 0.

I wrote to WU Student Support Team today and Scott Parsons Office of Financial Aid Walden University RE: Case #[protected], and the closing my case without a resolution.

"To: Student Support Team,
Thank you for this information. During the past 10 months or so have written to WU admin and other staff members for options after reaching my funding limits. The outcome was the recent demand letter from WU for payment. Had the information that you provide at this time been disclosed as an option for me 10 months ago I could have been doing my commencements right now instead of still trying to graduate.

That synopsis for those 10 months or so is as follows:

"I am replying to your demand letter as requested within the time frame as indicated in your email. I have exhaustively attempted to elucidate my circumstances in an effort to get an extension and more funding for my WU doctoral program courses so that I could
graduate.

Synopsis again as follows: I transferred from University of Texas Arlington campus to Walden University online coursework. WU
required duplication of prior UTA doctoral coursework. FAFSA covered a [3 yrs] doctoral program. The coursework duplication may have truncated funding for my last three semesters of the WU PhD [3yr] program exceeding the tuition funding limits. WU FinAid informed me that the last three semesters would be out of pocket. I wrote to WU admin, my Academic Advisor, Student Loan support case # [protected], Bursar, FinAid, FAFSA, and Nelnet my student loan service provider, all to try to get an extension. I explained that I had an Adjunct professor teaching job lined up which required a PhD to start at a university campus. My WU student account was blocked with a bursar hold. That job opportunity has since passed leaving me unemployed. At this moment I am not sure what the next steps are to answer this demand letter? I need help with this dilemma. Maybe begin the process to acquire a re-affirm letter?"

I have been in contact with my server as recommended by you in this email during the past 10 months. I believe that at this late
stage in my "Title IV eligibility after inadvertently exceeding an annual or aggregate loan limit, borrowers must reaffirm the excess Direct Loan" that the institution "WU Student Loan Support" can speak on my behalf explaining my circumstances during the past 10 months.

Prior to this bursar hold I contacted my WU dissertation supervisors about my funding dilemma - "exceeding an annual or aggregate
loan limit" per WU FinAid. I am not sure if they are still willing to work with me? I did submit my dissertation proposal [Under-
performing Government Bureaucracies and Leadership Behaviors: Resiliency to Government Reform Initiatives] to my Walden University Program Director. But have no clue of its status?

So, an official explanation from WU would give credence to my request for funding to complete your WU PhD program. Please contact my server and request the reaffirmation process or any other options available to me - on my behalf."

Scott Parsons, the Office of Financial Aid Walden University responded by closing my case and suggesting the usual bureaucratic rhetoric about their procedures. I'd like to see if this situation reaches the level of fraud, or other unfair or deceptive practices and deemed to have merit as a case?

Thanks,

Clyde Knight Jr., PhD(c)