Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/12/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Basically, I applied for Full Sail 2 years ago but decided to no go through with attending there. I keep getting spam voicemails/calls and after a while I answered one and asked them to stop spam calling/voicemailing me and that I didn't want to attend they said ok. Not even a month after I called them I kept getting spam calls and voicemails and it's effecting my mental well-being.
  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/09/2023

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/12/14) */
  Thank you for your email sent on December 12, 2022 regarding case # ********. We appreciate the opportunity to respond.
  
  Upon receipt of this concern, the University took swift action to review the complainant's provided contact information and removed the complainant's phone number and email from our contact cycle. The consumer will not be contacted by us again. Our intention is to only contact individuals who request information. We apologize for the inconvenience this caused the complainant.
  
  We hope that this clarifies any misunderstandings.
  
  
  Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/12/14) */
  (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/07/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I earned my associate degree from Full Sail University and they are refusing to give it to me. Exhausted the remainder of my financial aid for this degree. All I want is my degree.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/19/2022

  Thank you for your email notification on December 7, 2022, regarding case #********. We appreciate the opportunity to respond.
  
  Upon receiving this complaint, the University reviewed the student's file and spoke with Full Sail staff members who had information regarding the student's enrollment at the University.
  
  For reference, the student enrolled in the online Digital Cinematography, Bachelor of Science program on November 22, 2018, and transferred to the ***** Communications Certificate program on August 30, 2021. The student was withdrawn from the University on October 18, 2021.
  
  After reviewing the student's record, the student did complete the requirements of the Digital Cinematography, Associate of Science program at the time of his enrollment. While the University no longer offers this program, the complainant did meet the requirements for the degree at that time. The Associate of Science degree is expected to be processed before January 15, 2023. Upon completion of the necessary documents, the diploma will be mailed to the complainant.
  
  We hope that this information was helpful in addressing the complainant's concerns, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors. We support the complainant as he moves into the entertainment industry. Our ***************************** provides extensive graduate services, such as resume writing, mock interviews, job search skills, and alumni and employer events. We encourage the graduate to utilize these services in his career pursuits. The ***************************** can be reached at ************.
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/11/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I recently was interested in furthering my education with Full Sail University. When the school contacted me and asked me for further information I was never told that if I had a criminal background it would be an issue. To my understanding a criminal background should have nothing to do with being able to earn a degree and strive for a better education to be able to have a career in life. Since the fact that I was to do online classes and never to be on campus my understanding for a background check was a little absurd. After getting all paperwork submitted in order for me to start my classes I was told to go online and pay $20 to submit a national background check when that was all I needed to do to finish the admissions process. Being skeptical on the whole situation I didn't want to have to spend the money that I currently am struggling to obtain due to reasons being they might not allow me to attend class after seeing my background. Now that I have spent $20 and submitted the paperwork. I am now being told I have got to do even more paperwork. A prior offense form for every charge I've ever received in my whole life. And then it was to be ran in front of a board and they are to approve whether if I can attend school there or not. I feel very discriminated against and as a US American citizen I feel that it has violated my constitutional rights to be able to attend school just because of my criminal history. I am unable to attend school now and I have once again have had to put my life on hold and further my education due to my criminal background.
  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/22/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/11/22) */
  Thank you for your email notification on November 11, 2022, regarding case #********. We appreciate the opportunity to respond.
  
  Upon receiving this complaint, the University reviewed the applicant's file and spoke with Full Sail staff members who had information regarding the applicant's enrollment process at the University.
  
  For reference, the applicant applied for enrollment on January 7, 2022, but did not complete the enrollment process. The applicant re-applied on August 24, 2022.
  
  Per the University catalog, all applicants must submit the completed application and fulfill all the requirements therein. As part of our enrollment process, applicants who disclose a prior offense are required to submit supporting documentation and based on the documentation provided, a national criminal background check is required.
  
  Based on the documentation provided by the applicant, a background check is required in order to continue the enrolment process.
  
  The applicant was informed on several occasions during the enrollment process, as recent as November 14th, of the need to provide the requested documentation and background check in order to proceed with enrollment.
  
  Though we do not agree with the applicant's characterization of Full Sail's actions, we certainly take the applicant's concerns seriously.
  
  We wish this applicant much success in all future academic and professional endeavors.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/05/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I started my education at full sail in August of 2020 which I did both online and on campus during the pandemic, this school was way overpriced and charged me almost 70 thousand dollars in student loans, they took the 70 thousand and with in almost a year of completion they told me I owed over 20 thousand dollars, in which they withdrew me from the college, the education was not as advertised as well as being deceived and lied to over the phone. I've gotten 0 help from anyone there i was told they had tutors and no tutors or anything which they said they had they just sent me to a group chat where other students can help eachother not tutors the classes were mostly youtube videos with pretty much very little hands on I was told my student loans would cover the cost and it didn't so now I'm in debt without a degree. This degree mill needs to be shut down.
  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/09/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/10/19) */
  Thank you for your email notification on October 5, 2022, regarding case ********** We appreciate the opportunity to respond.
  
  For reference, the complainant enrolled in the Music Production Bachelor of Science program on August 31, 2020. He was withdrawn from the University on October 5, 2021.
  
  After receiving this complaint, the University reviewed the complainant's file. We can confirm that the complainant was charged correctly and in accordance with the terms in the enrollment agreement that he signed before beginning the program.
  
  All prospective and current students have access to the University's catalog, which includes information on each program's objectives, outline, and course descriptions. Each student signs an enrollment agreement prior to starting their degree program that indicates that the student has read and understands the University's catalog. Additionally, program information is available on our website and throughout the student enrollment process. The University fully disclosed the degree program's description and objectives prior to the complainant signing the enrollment agreement.
  
  As part of the program's curriculum, students may be asked to complete tasks such as reviewing course materials, including videos, and creating videos themselves. Group work and networking such as the use of cameras, social media, software and technology may be part of students' curricula, particularly in the entertainment media and emerging technology fields in which we prepare students. It is common for students to be asked to review media, write papers, create art, collaborate with peers and present their ideas in a variety of media formats.
  
  After reviewing the complainant's circumstances, we are electing to charge 75% of the semester 3 tuition. This decision was made as an act of good will and is not an admission of error or wrongdoing on our part. After this adjustment is processed, the complainant's remaining balance will be $8,031. The complainant is still responsible for his remaining balance to the University as well as any loan obligations. A new copy of the student's ledger reflecting these charges and adjustments will be mailed to him.
  Though we do not agree with the complainant's overall characterization of Full Sail or our faculty members, we certainly take his experiences seriously. However, as indicated in our catalog, a student's dissatisfaction with or non-receipt of educational services offered by the University does not excuse the student from repayment of any private loan, grant, federal loan, or other loan whatsoever made to the student for enrollment and completion of training at the University. The complainant attended the University, received the agreed upon educational services, and was charged accurately per the terms of his enrollment agreement.
  
  We hope this response was helpful in addressing the complainant's concerns. If he has additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 407-670-0100.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/19/2022

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I have reached out to full sail university numerous occasions and I can't get a response. I have been withdrawn from class because of the lack of communication between my instructor. I informed my instructor that I needed time off to handle home affairs, I got into a car accident and my father had a severe stroke that left him incompetent. I have several emails confirming that I have reached out to the instructor numerous occasions trying to get time off so I wouldn't fail or waste my student loan! The teacher never responded back to me during the semester but only at the end of the semester to fail me after I have been consistently sending emails to be excused from class. I have provided proof of emails and I have received an apology but I still wasn't allowed to attend class and it was no fault of mine it was the fault of the instructor.
  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/27/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/10/04) */
  Thank you for your email notification on September 20, 2022, regarding case *********. We appreciate the opportunity to respond.
  
  For reference, the complainant enrolled in the Audio Production, Associate of Science online program on July 6, 2020. The complainant was withdrawn from the program on April 19, 2021, with a last date of attendance on March 28, 202 for lack of engagement in the program.
  
  After receiving this complaint, the University reviewed the complainant's file, which includes correspondence between the complainant and our faculty and staff. We also spoke with Full Sail staff members who had information regarding the complainant's enrollment at the University. At Full Sail, instructors cannot withdraw students from their class; withdrawals are handled by our the Student Advocacy Team. We can confirm that the complainant notified the Student Advocacy Team of his intent to withdraw from his classes but did not complete the process to withdraw which resulted in the complainant being withdrawn for lack of engagement in the program.
  
  After reviewing the complainant's file, we found that the complainant was charged correctly and in accordance with the terms of the enrollment agreement, which he signed prior to starting his program of study. However, the University has chosen to reduce the complainant's Semester 3 tuition charges of $7,875.00 by 25%, which will leave the complainant with a remaining balance of $1,083.75. This decision was made as an act of good will and is not an admission of error or wrongdoing on our part. The complainant remains responsible for any loan obligations incurred during his enrollment including institutional charges. The complainant can contact the Business Office at 407-679-6333 if he has further questions regarding payment options for his balance.
  
  We hope that this information was helpful in addressing the complainant's concerns, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/11/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  In June of 2022 I withdrew from a Full Sail University class and I have not been at school since. I told the school that I wanted to do a change of enrollment because the degree I was enrolled in was not satisfactory. I informed them that I was concerned about how many hours of education I was missing out on because of the instructors cutting the classes short. I told the student advocacy team that I was disappointed by how much the Film program costed considering how many hours were lost.
  
  Over the course of many phone calls with student advocacy they pressured me into completing a "Meet your instructor" assignment. This wasn't really an assignment, but rather an acknowledgement of who my instructor was supposed to be in July. The student advocacy team said that this was the only way I could stay active in the system and that it was the only way I'd stop receiving harassing phone calls from Full Sail about my lack of attendance.
  
  
  In July I requested that a change of enrollment into a cheaper program be conducted. The student advocacy team informed me that this couldn't be done until November due to being in the middle of the semester.
  
  My lack of attendance was due to this pending change of enrollment, and despite withdrawing from every class I was enrolled in since June, the University insists that my last date of enrollment was in July and I would still be billed for this semester even though I didn't attend a class this semester.
  
  In the attached documents you can clearly see I withdrew from June and July classes, and the last class I took was in May 2022.
  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/15/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/08/25) */
  Thank you for your email notification on August 11, 2022, regarding case ********** We appreciate the opportunity to respond.
  
  For reference, the complainant enrolled in the Digital Cinematography, Bachelor of Science online program on April 1, 2019. He transferred to the Film, Bachelor of Science program on February 28, 2022. The complainant withdrew from the program on August 8, 2022, with a last date of attendance on July 10, 2022.
  
  After receiving this complaint, the University reviewed the complainant's file, which includes documentation of his attendance and correspondences between the complainant and our faculty and staff. We also spoke with Full Sail staff members who had information regarding the complainant's enrollment at the University. As indicted in our records, our staff continued to work with the complainant to resolve his questions and concerns.
  
  After reviewing the complainant's file, we found that the complainant was charged correctly and in accordance with the terms of his enrollment agreement, which he signed prior to starting his program of study. The University removed the complainant's Semester 2 tuition charges due to his withdrawal date. The complainant's withdrawal calculations were mailed to him on August 23, 2022. The complainant remains responsible for any loan obligations incurred during his enrollment including institutional charges. The complainant can contact the Business Office at 407-679-6333 if he has further questions regarding his withdrawal calculations.
  
  We hope that this information was helpful in addressing the complainant's concerns, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors.