Complaints

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

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  Penn State World Campus

  0222 Outreach Bldg University Park, PA 16802

• 

  Penn State World Campus

  200 W. Park Avenue State College, PA 16805

• 

  Penn State World Campus

  Office of the Bursar 103 Shields Building University Park, PA 16802

• 

  Penn State World Campus

  222M Outreach Bldg University Park, PA 16802

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:10/18/2023

  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.

  Hi, - This is an incident about me not getting any sort of financial aid help and my classes not functioning on my computer because of the software - I have been on top of this situation for months now. I just need my refund. I got no financial aid; when I always do. Theirs no reason why I didn’t or shouldn’t have gotten my financial aid, it’s too expensive without it and I simply don’t have that money which is why I believe that’s what fafsa is for; extremely helpful. My classes were also not functioning, I truly understand that I “participated” in the classes but I actually couldn’t fully participate because those classes simply weren’t functioning on my software. I simply can’t afford those two classes without any sort of financial aid. Since day one I have been trying to drop out of those two classes because I was informed my fafsa was accepted too late when that makes no sense at all because my fafsa has always been up to date. Sorry for the bother but I’m in no situation to pay this off, it truly worries me and I hope someone can understand my situation. I truly need a refund. Please this is my first time as an online student here at Penn State, theirs really nothing I did wrong. Simply, looking at the syllabus counts as I have to pay for the classes. Not fair or okay because my computer doesn’t even have that software. Yes, I “participated” because since the beginning it was already too late. I have been trying to drop out of those classes because I can’t afford it without my fafsa or any sort of student aid; please forgive me but can I get my refund, I simply can’t pay for these two classes. I can’t afford this at all. It’s too expensive it’s the worst timing. I had no idea my fafsa would be accepted too late! Please & thank you!

  Business Response

  Date: 10/21/2023

  Hello *******,

  I am sorry that you have had a difficult time and that your semester did not end as you had hoped. I understand that staff in the central bursar's office have been working with you to resolve your account balance. At this point, they are in the best position to assist you. Please contact:

  Rebecca S***
  The Pennsylvania State University
  Accountant 3
  Loan Servicing and Collections | Office of the Bursar
  103 Shields Building
  University Park PA 16802
  ***** ********
  ******************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/26/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

  I enrolled in summer 2023 for two classes at Penn State World campus. I got no financial aid so I wanted to drop out on day one. Was informed I couldn’t because I already looked at the syllabus. I continued “participating” because their was no way out since I would be responsible for the fees regardless. I’m a transfer student and if my fafsa wouldn’t have been accepted than I wouldn’t have transferred. On the first day of classes when I was told I will not be receiving any fafsa I questioned why and they accused me of never doing my fafsa when I’m a transfer student who has already had my fafsa application set and done for multiple schools that I would be transferring to. I have every right to want to drop out on the first day of classes when finding out I will not be receiving any financial aid. Simply, because I do not have the money for it. Not only was their an issue with my financial aid but with the software as well. My computers’s software wasn’t functionable for those two courses. I got random grades for the two classes. Didn’t even take the final exam, didn’t do majority of the assignments because the software simply wouldn’t function and not because I didn’t want to but because the software was way too outdated to open up any files. I wanted to drop out on day one that’s all I wanted because I can’t afford it; it’s truly unfair.  

  Regards,
  
  ******* *********

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/21/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore 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.

  Penn State is showing a collection on my account however the collection agency has no record of my account and Penn state just refers me back to the collection agency

  Business Response

  Date: 01/23/2023

  We have confirmed ********* information and verified the reporting is correct.  I responded to an email from ******* this morning, hopefully that will help resolve the questions he has.  I plan on continuing to communicate with ******* to make sure he understands the collection process and credit reporting.
  
  Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
  
  Thank you,
  
  Rebecca S***
  The Pennsylvania State University
  ********** *
  Loan Servicing and Collections | Office of the Bursar
  *** ******* ******** ********** **** ** ***** ***** ******** ****************** **** ** *** *******

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/24/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  The address provided is not an address I have ever lived at. I am willing to pay the past due balance of $1825 but I will not pay late fees on an invoice I have never received.

  
  Regards,
  
  ******* *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/02/2022

  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.

  Recently signed up to attend a cyber security boot camp offered through Penn State Behrend. When making the decision to attend this program I was under the impression that I would be attending a program designed by a reputable University. The so call advisors from this program even call from Penn state's local familar numbers. It wasn't until my first payment cleared that I realized Hacker U was from whom payment was received. I then tried to withdraw from this fake nontransparent program impersonating a reputable university. I have reached out to multiple people and left messages with no results. Not at any point when I spoke about Penn state did they mention Hacker U. In fact I ask if I would get a Penn State name badge and they said not for this program. Why would a reputable university such as Penn State allow such unethical business practices? i would like a full refund of my money. They call multiple times a day and tell you how much you are gonna make after completing their program. It really did not sound like Penn State yet Penn State logos and numbers are all over the place when looking into this program. Why are you allowing this program to hide behind such a prestigious university and scam lower income people looking to better themselves?

  Business Response

  Date: 12/13/2022

  Dear ******** ********,

  Thank you for taking the time to forward your concern. The Hacker U/Thrive DX program is offered by Penn State Behrend, the Erie College. I immediately forwarded your concern to their attention. I understand that ******** ********, Education Program Specialist at Penn State Erie, has been in contact with you and is working with you to resolve your concern.
  

  You can reach ******** at:
  

  Name:  ******** *** ******** 
  E-mail:  **************

   

  Sincerely,

  Karen P******

  Penn State World Campus