I began attending GCU in 01/09. I was excited to have a chance to continue my education. However, I felt uneasy after undergoing some financial aid difficulties with the finance department at GCU.<br />
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I was informed that I had received over $11, 000.00 in approved loan money and federal grants, BUT I was only allowed a combined aid of $9, 500.00. GCU stood with the remainder of the money. The excuse was that I was a freshman and according to GCU staff in the finance and academic departments: freshman's are only allowed $9, 500.00 combined financial aid.<br />
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After accepting the lie or excuse, I have continue to study at GCU. The ironic part is that this year I was allowed $14, 513.00 for the year. I enrolled for the summer and fall, but GCU is not keeping to their lie of freshman's only being allowed a combined aid of $9, 500.00. This year I am allowed full aid; however, I have only received two checks: $109.67 and $1, 641.00 from $14, 513.00. Is this legal? My total tuition costs and fees are: $$6782.36. My full refund was supposed to arrive yesterday (7/17/09) and a check of $1, 641.00 was sent to my home alone.<br />
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Here is the discriminatory part: A fellow student was waiting for her check. She is a Caucasian female and e-mailed me stating that she received her full refund. They give certain students full refunds and the colored students receive their refund in parts. GCU is a rip-off university that should be shut down and thoroughly investigated for discrimination and fraud. GCU's calculations are wrong and I have found lump sum amounts missing from my total aid.<br />
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GCU is going to give me my full refund or I will expose them to no ends. I will call every news channel and the Spanish news channels so that the word of the University can get around. I was robbed in January 2009 and am undergoing discrimination and am a victim of fraud. I have tried to send e-mails to the Finance, Business, and Student Services Departments and no has responded. <br />
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The staff members ignore certain students by using an OUT OF THE OFFICE AUTO REPLY to screen e-mails. They contact who they desire and do the same with the phone. The students who are not oblivious to their scheme they treat badly, but those who are will be treat with courtesy and feed into their scheme and lies about the finances. <br />
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This colleague just replied and stated that she takes half-time classes and receives her full refunds and has not had a problem ever receiving it. However, I am attending full-time and have not received the adequate amount of refunds. The more money you receive the more complicated they become with finances. All students should receive their refunds in due time and if a students refunds have posted they should not be refrained from getting the FULL amount 14 days after the fact. <br />
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My financial aid awards had posted early, but the University was holding the money. I called Pell Grant 3 times and was instructed to contact the Dean of Students who is Kim Player - I believe. Well, I am going to write her a letter and if I get no response. I am going to start sending my story out to every news channel and other organization that will listen. <br />
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I am seeking legal representation to file suit against GCU. If you have any leads please contact me. Thank you, Mrs. Jay.