Public Mediation

Argosy University/Seattle/EDMC-Dispute-#1684319

S. M. vs. Argosy University/Seattle/Edmc
2601-A Elliott Ave, Seattle, Washington, 98121, United States
Amount Involved: $5,000,000.00
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Statement of Claim
Complaints Involved (7) - View
Claimant says:
"Private agencies are targeting veterans and eager students. Jobs are scarce and education is more important than it has been in years. The cost of education continues to rise, and agencies are employing tactics to access Post 911 GI Bill and student loan funds. Veterans are left without degrees, or with degrees that hold little value. In addition, veterans are forced to repay large student loans, while institutions continue to employ deceptive practices, targeting unsuspecting students.

After attending this school for over 2 years, attempting to obtain my PsyD, I was informed that the school was closing the program due to lack of enrollment. From the first day I expressed interest in this school this agency was seeking APA accreditation, which motivated my decision to continue.

The last response was, "...there were no guarantees." It is consider fraud when an agency advertises to provide a service verbally or in writing in order to obtain financial gain, and later fails to make good on the offer. To later say, "There are no guarantees;" is not good enough.

The school offered to refund any credits that could not transfer to another "Argosy" campus, meaning another state. Relocation allowance and housing were not options. In this economy, I cannot afford a mortgage payment and rent in another state to complete this degree. I explained this, and still there was no support.

A second option was to transfer into another program at the Seattle campus. Surely you can understand that I enrolled in a PsyD program, and had I a desire to pursue another degree, I would have done so from the start. There were attempts to convince me to pursue a second Masters in Psychology, of which I have from an accredited school.

I asked to transfer to University of WA, with a refund for those credits that would not transfer. In addition to assuring me none of the credits would transfer over, I was informed, "That is not an option."

When a school decides to close a program, it has an obligation to make reasonable accommodations. To do so otherwise is negligent. I used my 911 GI bill and student loans. Now I have no money left for my GI bill and all the money used on books and the monthly stipend is no longer available. Local lawyers acknowledge I have a valid case, but I do not have $30,000.00 to obtain legal services. I have filed state and federal complaints, including complaints with the state veteran agencies, and seem to get the run around.

I simply requested assistance in providing the opportunity to continue my education. I am a service connected disabled veteran (over 50%). You have no idea how difficult it is to go to school, work, and care for a family as a single parent. If the school is offering a refund to those who remain with Argosy, the same should be offered to those who choose to leave Argosy. This is not the case.

I have been bullied, dismissed, and readmitted into the program since expressing a desire to transfer to another school. I have chosen to seek support from the public, because I feel ignored by agencies that are designed to prevent this behavior.

Not only should I receive a refund, I should receive compensation for damages, so that I might obtain a degree at a more creditable institution. I cannot get the time back, but I can certainly benefit from a proper education and less debt."
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Exhibits View
Additional Communication Between Claimant and Argosy University/Seattle/Edmc Hide
  • Jun 22, 2012, Argosy University/Seattle/EDMC (responding party) added:

  • I would love to discuss the specifics of Ms. McMath’s situation, but federal student privacy laws preclude me from so doing. If Ms. McMath would forward to my attention a release permitting me to discuss this matter in this forum, I would be more than happy to do so.

  • Jun 22, 2012, Argosy University/Seattle/EDMC (responding party) added:

  • I would love to discuss the specifics of your situation, but federal student privacy laws preclude me from so doing. If you would forward to my attention a release permitting me to discuss this matter in this forum, I would be more than happy to do so.

  • Jul 11, 2012, Claiming party added:

  • The university has my permission to discuss publicly, the matters addressed in the proposed attached agreement for reimbursement only. Anything beyond that is an attempt to present as student/veteran friendly, and I am not interested in such shenanigans. Also, this school has caused personal damages, and flat out refused compensation.

  • Jul 12, 2012, Argosy University/Seattle/EDMC (responding party) added:

  • I certainly understand and respect your wish to not have all information relative to your experience with Argosy disclosed. At the same time, I do not believe an accurate accounting of the issues can be conducted without permission to do so. As such, without a release to discuss all the facts, I respectfully decline to do so. I remain receptive to an open discussion provided it includes the ability to fully discuss the facts.

  • Jul 14, 2012, Claiming party added:

  • This is more of the same, an attempt to cover tracks, and present an innocent appearance as to continue to pull in unsuspecting consumers. Regardless of this or the next response, Argosy University Seattle, owned by EDMC, and 40% owned by Sachs used predatory practices, strung students along, acquired quite a bit of government and private funds, and failed to make good on a written/oral agreement. This has caused me substantial grief and loss and I deserve compensation. Asking me to sign a document that states I must remain silent regarding a refund that is supposedly offered to other students sounds unethical, especially for a program that is supposed to uphold ethical behavior to the highest degree. You claim you opted to provide some form of compensation. A refund is not compensation...

What Claimant Wants Hide
Just make me happy!
Claimant invites Argosy University/Seattle/EDMC to make a fair offer.
1. compensation, payment due, damages, recovery of losses, refund, time, and interest Jun 28, 2012 $5,000,000.00
2. Other – Copy claim to regulators Jun 28, 2012 $14.95
3. Other – Pay for claim posting cost Jun 28, 2012 $7.95
Cash total : TBD
  • 0
Do you agree with the claimant’s demands?  (If you are a party to this claim, click here.)

Respondent's Counteroffer

There has been no response to this claim from Argosy University/Seattle/EDMC. This claim will remain posted until resolved
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  • Comment: by Charmagne Anderson — Online mediator
    • On: 08-06-2012
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  • Clearly you are a very gifted and driven student . . . but you actually have some very smooth moves available to you you. You are in a good position to get your student loans dismissed IN THEIR ENTIRETY under "Closed School" rules. There are very specific timelines (90 days) and you must NOT pursue your degree anywhere else . . . (yet). Take a little break from school, get your loans discharged and laugh all the way to a REAL college. Thousands of us wish we were in your shoes.
  • Comment: by Jennifer Sheehy — Online mediator
    • On: 06-25-2012
    View more
  • In researching your claim, I specifically went to the website for graduate programs for the University of Washington. In looking into a transfer, you may want to contact the graduate school there to see specifically about the transfer of credits, as the website specifically says that a certain amount of graduate credits may be transferred. Unfortunately, schools at any given time can cut programs for various reasons (lack of enrollment, budget cuts, etc.). The concern here is that they are not assisting you in the possibility of transfer to another school that can offer you the program you are seeking. I see in your claim that you state that you have filed state and federal complaints. After researching Argosy, their main campus seems to be in California. Have you tried the relevant department in that state to see if there is an option or assistance available?
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