Complaints

This profile includes complaints for South University's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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• 

  South University

  709 Mall Blvd Savannah, GA 31406-4805

  
• 

  South University

  C/O William F Faust 1250 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222

• 

  South University

  South University – SU 5010 P.O. Box 9047 Lawrence, KS 66044

• 

  South University

  1400 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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:06/21/2023

  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 have called several times and left voice mails and emailed many times for months to an academic financial advisor. About the situation of needing my official transcripts. I was told on the phone I owed money and they couldnt discuss the amount and I had to talk to a 3rd party. Which I spoke to and have on record the names of several people I talked to. All stating the same thing. I do not exist in there date base, and no amount of money is due. I called back the university and explained and they kept wanting me to call the 3rd party. I then emailed an financial advisor and back and forth in emails explaining, no one said I owe money and the people I spoke to for there 3rd party , do not no anything about who I was and what money I owed. I gave them my social and all my info, and clearly did not exist. The university will not send me my official transcripts untill I pay money to them, I went to the college 10yrs ago, and now supposedly I owe money. When I was active army at the time, college was free and I owe nothing. Now im out and decided to go back to school for my masters, and I contact the school, and still not getting anywhere. Calling and emailing and leaving voicemails. Still no where in a resolution. I just wanna go for my MBA, the veterans benefits dept is paying for all of it, so they can help me get rehabilitated and received help in a job. Im a disabled vet, and its a shame that I have not received no phone calls back or email in my situation. I moved out of state and just wanna go back to school an better myself. Im not receiving any help. If I owe money then send me the info so it can be paid in full. Send me the history , a receipt, something. Proof that I owe money , so i can move on and pay and go back to school. If I owe no money, then give me my official transcript so I can move on. And take off this dept I owe. Spoke to the ******** ** campus and spoke to 3rd party ******** & ***** for the dept. This has been going on since Feb 2023. Waiting!

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/21/2023

  Its been 10yrs and I need my officaial transcript. I have been asking about it for months. Thats all I want. But now I was told I owe money and was never billed or told how much I owe. Im a disabled veteran and get benefits. At the time i was attending school I was on the gi bill and 9/11 grant. Again never told I owed money and graduated. Later I moved out of state and received a job in the federal sector. Still waiting on my official transcripts. Now im attending college and would like my transcripts sent to them. So I can finnish and then apply for a federal job thats in another dept. Im getting a run around and talked to 3rd partys, still not getting anywhere.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/22/2023

  form attcahed

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/06/2023

  Hello,
  
  Thank you for bringing the concern from ********* *****
  to our attention.  South University takes
  all student complaints very seriously, and this email serves to update you on
  our outreach to their concerns.  At this
  time, the Dean of Student Affairs at our ******** campus has reached out to *********
  and has assisted them with their concerns. 
  Should ********* reach out to you again, please have them contact me by
  email at **************************.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *****
  Dean of Student Affairs
  South University Online Student Support Center
  Pronouns:
  He/Him/His
  
  Ph: ************ 
  Email: **************************
  
  *** **** *****
  ********* **  *****
  *******************
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/07/2023

  Type:Service or Repair 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.

  see Attached document

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/14/2023

  attached

  

  Business Response

  Date: 03/20/2023

  Hello,
  
  Thank you for brining the concern from Ms. ***** to our
  attention.  South University takes all student
  complaints very seriously, and this email serves to update you on our outreach
  to their concerns.  At this time, our
  Academic Manager has been working with Ms. *****.  After my review of her account, I do see she
  is in the program for which she had completed her Application for Admissions
  and her Enrollment Agreement when she first enrolled at the university.  Our manager is assisting with some other
  items in relation to her Accounting class that she noted in her concern, which
  were also correctly scheduled. Should Ms. ***** reach out to you again, please
  have her contact me by email at **************************.
  
  Sincerely,

  ******* *****
  **** ** ******* *******
  South University Online Student Support Center
  
  Ph: ************ 
  Email: **************************
  
  *** **** *****
  ********* *******
  *******************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/04/2023

  Type:Billing 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 was charged after I withdrew from my classes at South University . I withdrew from the University due to a medical emergency and I plan on reenrolling in January 2023. I am requesting to be refunded any additional funds that was charged from my account since from the first day that I withdrew on 10Oct2022. I am requesting all funds be urgently refunded to me. Please find attached the documentation of my withdrawal notice. Thank you.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/11/2023

  As of today, I am being billed and I am not enrolled.  Please see attached invoice.  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/25/2023

  Hello,
  
  Thank you for bringing the concern from Mr. ******* to
  our attention.  South University takes
  all student complaints very seriously and this email serves to update you on
  our outreach with Mr. *******.  At this
  time, we have reached out to Mr. ******* and have informed him he has not had a
  balance with the university, shortly after his withdrawal from our November
  2022 session.  If Mr. ******* reaches out
  to you again, please have him contact me by email at [email protected].
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  South University Online Student
  Support Center
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/14/2022

  Type:Service or Repair 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 was given amount and signed a document stating how much I owed in February for tuition options. However additional money was sent over to tuition options after I graduated. No explanation and no bill. Where did additional charges com from ?I was never sent a bill to informed of any additional money due. I have every email from finance who is not longer with the college. (****) it was explained to me additional charges were just sent over to tuition options and I need to pay. (no notification)

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/28/2022

  Hello,
  
  
  
  Thank you for bringing the concern from Ms. **** ****** to our attention. South
  University takes all student complaints very seriously, and this email serves
  to update you on our outreach to Ms. ******** concerns.  At this time, we
  have reached out to Ms. ****** and have begun investigating her concerns. 
  Should she reach out to you again, please have her contact me by email ** ***************************
  
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  ******* *****
  
  Student Engagement and Advocacy Liaison
  
  South University Online Student Support Center
  
  
  
  *** **** *****
  ********* **  *****
  *******  ************ **************************
  ***********************
  
  
  
  South University – the right direction for a brighter future

  
  
  

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/07/2022

  
  

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

  
  

   Complaint: ********

  
  
  

  I am rejecting this response because:

  Rejection because he just emailed me that he was looong into it for me. It wasn’t resolved . I do not want this on my credit . 

  
  
  

  Regards,

  
  

  **** ******

  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  

  Business Response

  Date: 12/14/2022

  South University has been working to research Ms. ******'s concerns.  I have completed my investigation and have reached out to Ms. ****** at this time.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/03/2022

  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 attended south university's online program and when I went to withdraw they gave me an inaccurate amount for an unregistered/refund. But the biggest thing is as you can see in the screenshot. They constantly deducted $115.00 two different times out of my official refund. The $115.00 that was continuously deducted for refunds supposedly sent a refund back to the third party and i owed the school this 115.00. They did not even CUT the checks and lied about it. I have tried countlessly to get ahold of someone who will actually talk to me and explain how I got shorted so much on my refund when each amount of money was separate and I made aware I wanted to be withdrawn. No one at the school likes to answer the phone or be honest at all.
  Next, I was a fulltime student the entire time of me attending, and without my knowledge or consent i was dropped to a 3/4 time student, never even heard of that being possible . Therefore, both grants that i was promised and guranteed in the beginning could be "valid" because i was no longer a full time student. They placed in classes when they were told countless times that I again want to be withdrawn. I Was refunded 1,740.00 for being withdrawn from one class. Then, come to find out the class I was taking the whole time I was not even supposed to be in and refunded $1,451. Each refund does not add up, and the 115.00 is continously deducted. I will be reporting the school to0 dept. of education but I would like my correct refund amount and Ive sent ocuntless emails and phone calls to their employees and they dont answer and make it entirely difficult to find someone real on a phone.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/05/2022

  I wasnt sure if i needed to print and write, so I just signed through microsoft word if that is incorrect please notify me and I will fix it. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/06/2022

  The school lied on multiple occasions involving transfer of credits, grants that were "supposedly" I had. The school then took it upon themselves to drop me as a 3/4 student and therefore i lost both grants. The cost of my tuition constantly change from $4,000 to 4,800 every 10 weeks. I just wanted to make sure it went on record and awares the public of how badly this school will falsify information and they do not care. The only thing i can handle is the fact that when I withdrew from the school. I told them before school started I was done, and they still placed me in two classes for this past quarter. I did not even know i was in class until i went online , I could not catch up fast enough and recieved an FA for the first class. The second class I was not even supposed to be enrolled in because I hadnt past the prerequiste class prior. I recivied the resolution for that one class was a refund of 1,315. The second was a total resolution payout of 1,451. Now, the third class that i was placed in after i told them over and over I wanted to withdraw that total was 1,740. They did not ask me if i wanted the pell grant sent to me or back to fasfa . They just sent it back of$540.00. That is 1200 left over. That was supposedly sent out to pay a third party back which was unauthorized, the 1200 i never got back. Last but not least they continously withdrew -115.00 FOR each check and i was told by the fincial advisor they would void the 230.00 and send it back to me. They did not and now the fincnial advisor will not even answer me. I will screen tshot the emails were they said it would be voided and were they will not respond. 

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/19/2022

  Hello,
  
  Thank you for bringing the concern from Ms. ****** ******* to our attention.
  South University takes all student complaints very seriously, and this email
  serves to update you on our outreach to Ms. *******' concerns.  At this
  time, we have reached out to
  Ms. ******* to assist in resolving her concerns.  Should Ms. ******* reach
  out to you again, please have her contact me by email at **************************.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *****
  Student Engagement and Advocacy Liaison
  South University Online Student Support Center
  
  *** **** *****
  ********* **  *****
  *******  ************
  **************************
  ***********************
  
  South University – the right direction for a
  brighter future
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/08/2022

  Type:Sales and Advertising 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 completed my Bachelor's degree in Public Health with South University Online. Graduation was June of this year (2022) and about a week after the ceremony, I discovered that my account at South was sent to collections. When I initially signed up for classes to complete my degree, I had an awful experience with my academic advisor who messed up my schedule resulting in several classes that I would have to pay for out of pocket as my financial aid was exhausted. I was fine with this plan to pay for those last few classes; however I was offered numerous "grants and opportunities" from numerous admissions representatives if I would only return to South to take those classes and finish my degree. I decided to do so and qualified for an "Increased student success grant" per an email I received to draw me in and bring me back to their school. My academic advisor was supposed to be in touch with me about setting up a payment plan for my classes, but she never did so even though she "has record" of calling me (not emailing me like the typical student/advisor relationship). I never got ANY information on how to use their 3rd party Tuition Options to make monthly installments. Now I've completed my degree and South is holding my transcripts and diploma until I pay them $10,000 in full. My dream has always been to become a Physician Assistant, and I have done everything necessary to apply by the deadline of September 1st 2022, but now I can't because I can't pull $10,000 out of thin air and South will not work with me like they said they would BEFORE I signed back up for classes. I cannot get anyone to call me back even though I've left several voicemails for the Dean of Student Affairs. I'm a full time Mom, full time healthcare worker, and now my dreams of becoming a PA to help serve my community are being crushed because of my awful experience with South University. Now I realize why there are so many negative reviews and history of issues with this institution.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/17/2022

  Hello,
  
  Thank you for bringing the concern from Ms. ******** ******* to our attention.
  South University takes all student complaints very seriously, and this email
  serves to update you on our outreach to Ms. *******’s concerns.  At this
  time, ******* *****, Student Engagement and Advocacy Liaison has reached out to
  Ms. ******* to assist in resolving her concerns.  Should Ms. ******* reach
  out to you again, please have her contact ******* by email at **************************.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Dr. *******

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/21/2022

  Type:Order 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.

  The dates of transactions fall between the months of May 2021 - December 2021. I had reach out to the university to attend classes, and there was a program/third party site called tuition reimbursement that was referred by the university to pay for the program I was attending where you pay for the program (in this case my bachelors in nursing) as one lump sum rather than pay by class/semester as they are taken. Due to personal life factors including long work hours and an inconsistent schedule, throughout the course of six months, I had only completed one class, and deferred after that due to not having the time to complete. When I was looking towards starting back up, I was told I could no longer continue, and would have to appeal in order to continued. After back and forth, I decided to no longer continue with the school, and attend another, and requested the money back for the tuition I paid besides the class I did finish taking that I was paid in advance which was over $3,000.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/03/2022

  Thank you for bringing the concern of Ms. **** to our attention. South
  University takes all student concerns very seriously and this email is a
  response to Ms. ****'s concerns.  Though we have not been able to reach
  Ms. **** by phone, we have emailed Ms. **** with our response based on our
  investigation into her concerns and believe she will be fine with the outcome
  of our decision.  Should Ms. **** reach out further, please feel free to
  provide her of my contact information and I'll be glad to resond with her
  further.  My contact information is below.
  Sincerely,
  ******* *****
  Student Engagement and Advocacy Liaison
  South University Online Student Support Center
  
  *** **** *****
  ********* **  *****
  *******  ************
  **************************
  ***********************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/19/2022

  Hello ********,
  
  Thank you again for your help today regarding this matter.  As we discussed, the concern from Mr. **** ****** should reside with the BBB office in ****** ** as the student is a student with our ***** campus.