I attended ECPI back in 2003. When I enrolled and started my classes I was told that my student loans, financial aid, and pell grant would take care of the cost of everything. I was told I only had to worry about repayment 6 months after graduating. I had a GPA of 4.0 and I thought I was well on my way to starting a brighter future for myself. To my surprise, one and a half semesters later, I was called in the financial aid office and told I would need approximately $3, 000 more to be able to continue my classes there. At that time I told them I was an unemployed full-time student who couldn't afford to pay that money and added that I was having a hard enough time finding the gas to make the 45 minute trip to and from school. They suggested that I ask family and friends for the money or have them apply for a personal loan until I could afford to pay them back. I was shocked and offended that they would ask me to borrow money from my loved ones to stay in school.

To make a long story short, a day or two later they called me back in the office. They asked me for the money again and I gave them the same response I gave them earlier in the week. They suggested that I withdraw and go to a community college. Several months later that sent a bill in the mail for over $5, 000 and said interest would be applied after nonpayment. I don't have a degree, a transcript to transfer to another college, or any other proof that I was ever a 4.0 student except for a NOW $12, 800 bill that has been sent to collections. $7, 000 of that $12, 000 is INTEREST! I can't afford to pay it, and I can't get into any other college without them releasing my transcript. Please, Please, think twice before enrolling at ECPI. It's the worst thing I could have ever done to ruin my chances at having a successful career. If you can offer any advice or information to help me and the many other victims of this school, please help!