Complaints

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

close

Find a Location

Penn Foster has 2 locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

BBB accredited

Near

Country

USUnited States

Please enter a valid location.

Filter

• 

  Penn Foster

  200 Hickory St Scranton, PA 18505-1135

  
• 

  Penn Foster College

  14300 N Northsight Blvd Ste 125 Scottsdale, AZ 85260-3674

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:06/29/2023

  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.

  I graduated Penn Foster High school in April 2022, I requested a transcript and paid for it and for my diploma to be sent to me by mail, I called them so many times and emailed them and sent texts, it's been a year now and I still haven't received my diploma, I need it to apply for unis and jobs. They keep telling me they'll look into it but nothing is being done. I've already paid twice for it to be sent, I'm not paying again.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/03/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: ********************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******* concerns. **************** enrolled into the High School diploma program on May 19, 2021, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. **************** graduated from the program on April 23, 2022.
  Students us a third-party called ********* to request completion documents. On December 21, 2022, Penn Foster received an email from **. ******* father, who inquired on their recent order of completion documents. It was explained that Penn Foster cannot assist with the students ********* orders and was provided information on reaching out to ********* directly. All ********* concerns must be brought up with ********* directly.
  As an act of good faith, we will place a complimentary order of the completion documents at no charge to ****************.  
  
  Penn Foster is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at **************.
  

  Sincerely.
  **************************;          
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/28/2023

  Type:Billing 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.

  I get a phone call every day from account service for this entity after telling them to stop calling and I would call them when I have the time and ability to resolve the account. It has become harassment at this point and it needs to stop.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/28/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: *********************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address Mr. ******** concerns. ****************** enrolled online into the Veterinary Technician associate degree on March 19, 2020 by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment.
  As of June 28, 2023, ***************** has completed 87.9% of his first semester. Per the signed agreement,****************** owes the remaining tuition liability of $1146.19. Due to defaulted payments, phone calls were placed to ****************** to discuss his financial obligation. On September 15, 2022, **. ******** account was placed with a third-party collection agency.
  On June 28, 2023, per the information ****************** provided the BBB, we placed ****************** on our Do Not Call list. This does not change the liability that is due, and the account will remain in collections.
  
  Penn Foster is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at **************.
  
  Sincerely.
  **************************;          
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/06/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *********************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/24/2023

  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.

  I apply of 5/14/23 to pennfoster. I work full time and take care of my two kids and wanted to better nmh education for my kids. Well a few days later I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant and called pennfoster to back out because its a bad time to start now I would have to try again later . They told me I have to send an email I said okay . Well a few more days go by and I finally get around to sending the email because I was busying working and bring a full time mom I sent an email on 6/2/23 and got a response on 6/6/23 that if I decide to unenroll I would have to pay a liability for canceling of 417.90 to pay for teachers books etc. I haven’t even finish a class or started it had only been 23 days and they siad when I started I electronically signed a contract that if I didn’t cancel in 6 days I would owe that. Firstly who cancel that fast after enrolling and I don’t remember signing that when I was on the phone applying. I don’t even want my money back that I already paid. I just want them to leave me alone and I don’t want to owe such a crazy amount for nothing. 

  Business Response

  Date: 06/28/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: *********************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **.********* concerns. ******************** enrolled into the Medical Assisting Diploma program on May 15, 2023, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment.  I will include a copy of the agreement.
  All cancellation terms are located on the enrollment agreement that ******************** voluntarily signed. Those terms can be located at ************************************************************************.
  On June 2, 2023, ******************* submitted her cancellation email. I will include a copy of this interaction. It was explained to ********************, that she would be responsible for the terms of her agreement. A breakdown was provided to ********************.
  ******************** has completed 4.9% of the program. Per the enrollment agreement, ******************** is responsible for the registration fee, administrative fee, shipping and handling fees (if applicable), and 10% of refundable tuition. ******************** will owe a cancel liability of $397.90. Past due accounts can be sent to an outside collection agency after 90 days. ******************** can speak with our financial team by calling ************.  
  Penn Foster is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at **************.
  
  Sincerely.
  **************************;          
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/14/2023

  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.

  This company is charging me for services I did not request or owe I’ve never attended penn foster and they are charging me 2500 dollars and reporting to my credit this place should be closed down I’ve been harassed by phone by these people telling me I owe money to them when I don’t

  Business Response

  Date: 06/20/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name *************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******* concerns. **************** enrolled into the Veterinary Technician associate degree on December 5, 2022, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the agreement as well as **. ******* signed proof of High School completion form.
  On January 13, 2023, **************** sent an email from the same email address that she provided to the BBB requesting to withdraw from the program. **************** was replied to on January 18, 2023, with her cancellation terms and was offered some alternatives if financials were difficult. **************** replied on January 21, 2023, and was answered on January 24, 2023. I will include a copy of the email interaction.
  Due to the information **************** provided to the BBB, I closed out the account on June 20, 2023. The account was closed according to the contractual cancelation liability **************** agreed to. **************** will need to speak with the collections agency directly to resolve her financial obligations.
  Penn Foster devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at *************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

  Business Response

  Date: 06/20/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name *************************
  Student Number: ********
  

  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******* concerns. **************** enrolled into the Veterinary Technician associate degree on December 5, 2022, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the agreement as well as **. ******* signed proof of High School completion form.
  On January 13, 2023, **************** sent an email from the same email address that she provided to the BBB requesting to withdraw from the program. **************** was replied to on January 18, 2023, with her cancellation terms and was offered some alternatives if financials were difficult. **************** replied on January 21, 2023, and was answered on January 24, 2023. I will include a copy of the email interaction.
  Due to the information **************** provided to the BBB, I closed out the account on June 20, 2023. The account was closed according to the contractual cancelation liability **************** agreed to. **************** will need to speak with the collections agency directly to resolve her financial obligations.
  Penn Foster devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at *************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/03/2023

  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 am not liable for the debt with penn foster or ***** corporation I do not have a contract with any of them and they did not provide me with the original contract as i requested

  Business Response

  Date: 06/06/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name *******************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. *********** concerns. ************************ enrolled into the High School diploma program on March 15, 2022, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the agreement.
  Due to defaulted payments, **. *********** account was turned over to a third-party collection agency. As of June 6, 2023, ************************ has not requested to withdraw from the program according to the terms of the agreement. As a result,the full program liability was reported to the collection agency.
  Due to the information ************************ provided the BBB, I closed the account out according to the terms of the agreement. The cancellation was completed on June 6, 2023. ************************ will need to speak to the agency directly in order to settle her cancel liability.
  Penn Foster devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at *************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/19/2023

  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 have never utilized any services provided by Penn Foster. They keep sending an account to collections and I have never signed up for an account with them. I am currently enrolled in university and would never need their services. I have never taken a course yet my account is in collections. I need this account closed and removed

  Business Response

  Date: 05/26/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: *******************
  Student Number: ********
  
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******* concerns.**************** enrolled in the Medical Assistant Associate degree on January 31, 2020 , by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will attach the agreement. As of May 26, 2023, **************** has completed 7.9% of the first semester.
  Per the agreement that **************** signed, a written request ( mail or email ) is required in order to withdraw from the program. As we have not received a request to withdraw from ****************, the account remained in an open status. Due to defaulted payments, the account was turned over to an outside agency. If **************** would like to withdraw from the program according to the terms of her signed agreement, she can email her request to me at, ******************@pennfoster.edu.
  Once **. ******* request is received, we can close the account out accordingly.
  
  Penn Foster  is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at **************.
  Sincerely.
  
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/05/2023

  Type:Order 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.

  I enrolled in the Appliance Repair course, but I can no longer attend and would like to disenroll and discontinue further payments. I have tried to do this, but it can only be done by phone and I am never available during their customer service hours.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/16/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name *************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******* concerns. **************** enrolled into the Appliance Repair program on February 3, 2023, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment.
  Per **. ******* enrollment agreement, students can terminate their enrollment via telephone, email or first-class mail. Per the message provided to the BBB, I closed **. ******* account on 5/16/2023 according to the contractual terms. *************** will be provided a refund of $44.51.
  Penn Foster devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at *************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/21/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/21/2023

  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.

  The representative from the college stated it was asynchronous learning when in fact it is not. They require you to take webinars but these webinars are schedule the same day of the week at the same time. When I asked why they couldnt give credit when watched on demand, I was told it was a requirement for discuss among student, teacher, and peers. Although all that is required for the live webinars is to type hello and goodbye and then write a 2 paragraph summary. I have also not been provided my book I needed for a course only to be told the book was back ordered and even though Im almost finished with the course, I can be switched to a new course but nothing I have worked on will be transferred. The instructors are not qualified and never answer questions that are being asked. The institution has been in lawsuits before.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/24/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: ***** **************** Number: ********
  To Whom It May ***************** welcome the opportunity to address Ms. ****** concerns. Ms.***** enrolled into the Veterinary Technician Degree on November 10, 2020 , by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the enrollment agreement.
  On page 25 in the student catalog it states, Students in certain programs may also be required to attend scheduled online classes in order to pass the course. For the Veterinary Technician program, students are required to attend live webinars in their third and fourth semester.  Students have 12 months to attend webinars that work best with their schedule. Webinars are offered various days and times of the week and even some on weekends to allow flexibility to study at a time that works best for the students, making the program still asynchronous. A copy of the student catalog and more information can be found on our marketing website, ****************************************************************************** .
  On April 21, 2023, a representative reach out directly to Ms. ***** regarding her concerns of the live webinars for the Veterinary Technician program and having a new textbook reshipped as courtesy.
  Penn Foster is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at **************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *********************
  Escalation Specialist

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/18/2023

  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 started August of 22 in a class with Penn Foster and they made me believe that their diploma was recognized in **** and it is not but they proceeded to take money from me since August to April of this year I am dissatisfied of their practices and I would really like to have my money back and an apology I am on Social Security and I need my money if I'm not going to get a diploma that's recognized in the ************* I want to go someplace else like Penna but I want this issue with Penn Foster to be settled if you would please help me

  Business Response

  Date: 04/24/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Name: ***********************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May *********************** welcome the opportunity to address Ms. ******* concerns. **************** enrolled herself online into the High School program on August 31, 2022, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the agreement.
  Penn Foster High School has earned both regional and national accreditation. Penn Foster is accredited by the ******** ********* ********************** (****). The **** is listed by the **** ********** ** ********* as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the ******* *** ****** ********* ************* (****).
  Penn Foster High School is regionally accredited for grades 9 through adult, by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the ************************* of Colleges and Schools. Penn Foster High School is accredited by Cognia. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and improvement services to institutions and other education providers. Penn Foster Career School is licensed by the ****************** ***** of ******* Licensed Schools.
  As of April 24, 2023 **************** has completed 9 out of 107 exams. **************** completed 8.4% of the program. If **************** would like to withdraw from the program, she will be held to the terms that she voluntarily agreed to. The cancellation policy is as follows:
  
  If you cancel within 6 calendar days of signing the enrollment agreement you will owe: $0 (100% refund)
  
  
  If you withdraw after 6 calendar days:
  
  
  Before submitting a completed program assignment you will owe:  registration fee + administrative fee + shipping and handling fees (if applicable)
  Up to and including 10% of the program assignments completed you will owe: registration fee + administrative fee + shipping and handling fees (if applicable) + 10% of refundable tuition
  After 10% and up to and including 25% of the program assignments completed you will owe: registration fee + administrative fee + shipping and handling fees (if applicable) + 25% of refundable tuition
  After 25% and up to and including 50% of the program assignments completed you will owe: registration fee + administrative fee + shipping and handling fees (if applicable) + 50% of refundable tuition
  After 50% of the program assignments completed you will owe: full program tuition and any applicable fees
  

  The percentage of the program completed shall be determined by comparing the number of completed lessons received for services by the school to the total number of lessons in the program.
  

  If **************** would like to withdraw from the program , she would owe a liability of $105.90. **************** is not eligible for a refund. 
  Penn Foster is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at **************.
   
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/09/2023

  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 received mail from a collections agency that Penn Foster has sent me to collections for a balance over $2,000. I have never attended this school, nor have I ever looked into this school. I have a degree and job in an unrelated field thats been fully paid for at a different college.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/13/2023

  BBB Case Number: ********
  Student Name: ***************************
  Student Number: ********
  To Whom It May Concern:
  
  I welcome the opportunity to address **. ******* concerns. **************** enrolled into the Veterinary Technician Associate degree program on August 27,2018, by submitting a signed enrollment agreement and down payment. I will include a copy of the enrollment agreement.
  When enrolling into the program, **************** was required to submit a proof of High School completion form. I will include a copy of the form. Due to defaulted payments, **. ******* account was turned over to a third-party collection agency.
  Reviewing **. ******* account, we have not received any communication from **************** regarding withdrawing from the program. Per **. ******* enrollment agreement, we require a letter in writing requesting to withdraw from the program. This can be email or physical mail.
  If **************** would like to withdraw from the program, she can email her request to me directly at ***********************@pennfoster.edu. the request is received, we will close out according to the contractual cancellation terms. **************** will need to speak to the agency directly in order to resolve her financial obligations.
  
  Penn Foster is devoted to the educational advancement and satisfaction of all our students. If you have any further questions, please contact me at *************.
  
  Sincerely.
  *****************************
  Sr. Escalation Specialist