Stop a Bad Deal for Students in Your State

Here’s what’s happening with Corinthian Colleges now that they’re selling to ECMC group. Today we went to ECMC’s headquarters in Minnesota to deliver your stories and signatures to its CEO. We want him to know that the sale is a bad deal for you.

Images: Bryan MacCormack, Left In Focus

But in order for the CEO to actually pay attention, we need your voices. We need you to send a letter to your governor with your story in it, so legislators know how shady these schools are.

Tips for filing a complaint:

Make sure you provide as much information as you can. If you fill out a form, make sure you answer every question.
Describe any time you raised your concerns about your education to your admission counselor, teacher, career counselor, or other Corinthian employee.
Don’t worry about being overly formal or technical, just talk about your experiences and why you are filing this complaint.

Based on the stories we have received, some common complaints include:

The school made statements it knew or should have known were false, inaccurate, or misleading.
The schools engaged in false, deceptive, misleading, or unfair advertising.
The school told you your credits could transfer to another college, but you later found out that they could not.
The school did not fully disclose the tuition or cost of attending.
The schools falsely claimed it was approved by a particular industry or that the program would qualify you for a particular occupation.
The school did not follow through on the terms of your enrollment contract

How to file a complaint to the oversight board in your state:

Arizona

The Arizona Board for Private Post-Secondary Education receives complaints via mail.

To submit a complaint, visit: https://ppse.az.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/StudentComplaintForm.docx

Print out the form and fill it out. Be sure to sign and date the form.

Mail the form to:Arizona Board for Private Post-Secondary Education
1400 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

You can visit the Board’s website here: https://ppse.az.gov/complaint

If you have any questions, you can call them at: (602) 542-5709

California

The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education receives complaints via mail or via fax.

To submit a complaint, visit: http://www.bppe.ca.gov/forms_pubs/complaint.pdf

Print out the form and fill it out. Be sure to sign and date the form.

Mail the form to:Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 980818
West Sacramento, CA 95798

Alternatively, you can fax your signed complaint to: (916) 263-1897

You can visit their website here: http://www.bppe.ca.gov/enforcement/complaint.shtml

If you have any questions, you can call them at: (916) 431-6924

Colorado

Colorado’s Private Occupational School Board receives complaints online.

To submit a complaint, visit: http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Complaints/FileComplaint.aspx

You can find more general information about the complaint system here: http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Complaints/

If you have any questions, you can call them at: (303) 866-2723

Florida

The Commission for Independent Education receives complaints via email or via fax.

Send your complaint about your experience to: cieinfo@fldoe.org

Alternatively, you can fax your signed complaint to: (850) 245-3238

Your complaint should include the following information:

Your Name, Address, and Phone Number

Name and location of your school

Dates of Attendance

A description of the problem and any other documentation that will support your claim such as enrollment agreements, correspondence, etc.

You can visit their website here: http://www.fldoe.org/policy/commission-for-independent-edu/file-a-complaint.stml

If you have any questions, you can call them at: (888) 224-6684

Illinois

The Illinois Board of Higher Education receives complaints via email. Send your complaint detailing your experience to: complaints@ibhe.org.

Your complaint should include the following information:

Your Name, Address, and Phone Number

Name and location of your school

Dates of Attendance

A description of the problem and any other documentation that will support your claim such as enrollment agreements, correspondence, etc.

You can visit their website here: http://www.ibhe.state.il.us/consumerinfo/complaint.htm

If you have any questions, you can call them at: (217) 557-7359

Texas

The Workforce Commission receives complaints via mail.

To submit a complaint, visit: http://www.texasworkforce.org/svcs/propschools/ps401a.pdf

Print out the form and fill it out. Be sure to sign and date the form.

Mail the form to:TWC-Career Schools and Colleges
101 East 15^th Street, Room 226T
Austin, TX 78778

You can visit their website here: http://www.texasworkforce.org/svcs/propschools/career-schools-colleges-students.html#submitComplaint

If you have any questions, you can call them at: (512) 936-3100

Washington

The Workforce Commission receives complaints via mail.

To submit a complaint, visit: http://www.wtb.wa.gov/Documents/ComplaintForm.doc

Print out the form and fill it out. Be sure to sign and date the form.

Mail the form to:Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
128 Tenth Avenue SW
P.O. Box 43105
Olympia, WA 98504

You can visit their website here: http://www.wtb.wa.gov/PCS_Complaints.asp

If you have any questions, you can call them at: (360) 709-4642