Penn Foster’s earns a 2.8-star rating from 76 reviews, showing that the majority of students are somewhat satisfied with educational programs.
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Fraudulent account
This school created or allowed someone to create a fraudulent account in my name and is now saying I owe them $1667.20. I had never heard of Penn Foster until someone called me saying I owe them money then Ability recovery services sent a debt collection in the mail. I obtained my high school diploma from Job Corp. I have never enrolled in Penn Foster and would like a correction in your accounting to be provided to your debt collector.
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Refund
On 9/8/2023 I tried contacting Penn Forester to cancel my Medical and Billing course to no avail. I was hung up on, so I sent a communication through the contact us, Ref#[protected]. This morning 9/11/2023 I tried contacting them by phone and got the same response, hung up.
I realized I was not interested in the course so I'm requesting a refund.
Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Christine Baca
[protected]
Desired outcome: Cancel course and refund.
I completed the small engine course still had some money to pay missed a couple payment.
I took the online course of small engine repair and had complete the program. Had very few payments lefts and had gotten sick and was hospitalized which cause me to lose my job. I did stay in contact made payment arrangements and paid but some how still owed more then I did and when I started to send proof of that fact no one would correspond with me. I then was sent to a collections agency where I sent them paper work paper work just to receive a letter saying we will research it more just to get a letter more then 30 days later from another collections agency and started it all over again. And once again file a dispute and get sent to another agency. I just want what’s rightfully mine what I worked hard for and suffer to pay and paid double for just to keep getting the run around.
Desired outcome: I just would really love to have my certificate for completion for small engine repair
Hello Kristie: Thank you for your feedback. We realize that unexpected life circumstances may happen, and we offer a few options to assist students in recovering during a temporary financial setback. Please note that unless we hear from the student to discuss these options, monthly payments must be made each month as agreed per their signed enrollment agreement. Once an account has become seriously delinquent, it may be turned over to an outside agency for collection and the agency may ask for the tuition balance due in full. We are sorry to hear about your job loss and hope that your health has improved. We recommend reaching out to our Financial Services team to discuss your tuition balance and how a payment can be made to resolve your account status. Once your remaining balance due on the account has been satisfied, we will be happy to send your diploma. For more information, please call [protected]. Thank You.
Is Penn Foster Legit?
Penn Foster earns a trustworthiness rating of 100%
Highly recommended, but caution will not hurt.
We found clear and detailed contact information for Penn Foster. The company provides a physical address, 7 phone numbers, and 2 emails, as well as 4 social media accounts. This demonstrates a commitment to customer service and transparency, which is a positive sign for building trust with customers.
Penn Foster has registered the domain name for pennfoster.edu for more than one year, which may indicate stability and longevity.
Pennfoster.edu has a valid SSL certificate, which indicates that the website is secure and trustworthy. Look for the padlock icon in the browser and the "https" prefix in the URL to confirm that the website is using SSL.
Pennfoster.edu has been deemed safe to visit, as it is protected by a cloud-based cybersecurity solution that uses the Domain Name System (DNS) to help protect networks from online threats.
Pennfoster.edu you are considering visiting, which is associated with Penn Foster, is very old. Longevity often suggests that a website has consistently provided valuable content, products, or services over the years and has maintained a stable user base and a sustained online presence. This could be an indication of a very positive reputation.
Penn Foster's website seems to offer jobs or career advice. While this can be a helpful resource.
Penn Foster website is deemed to be popular and indicating that it receives a high volume of traffic. It is important to be cautious when using a highly trafficked website, as it may be a target for cybercriminals looking to exploit vulnerabilities or steal personal information.
Pennfoster.edu regularly updates its policies to reflect changes in laws, regulations. These policies are easy to find and understand, and they are written in plain language that is accessible to all customers. This helps customers understand what they are agreeing to and what to expect from Penn Foster.
However ComplaintsBoard has detected that:
- We conducted a search on social media and found several negative reviews related to Penn Foster. These reviews may indicate issues with the company's products, services, or customer support. It is important to thoroughly research the company and its offerings before making any purchases to avoid any potential risks.
Degree is worthless
I registered for the electronics technician program. After a couple weeks I found out that this “college’s” degree wouldn’t be accepted anywhere. I wanted to get a refund. They refused and said that I should have checked before enrolling and there as not going to be any refunds.
A degree from a real college would be accepted anywhere.
Stay away from this scam and save yourselves a headache dealing with these losers.
Hello Carla. Since 1890, Penn Foster has been training students to prepare for exciting career opportunities that are in demand in the workforce. Our online Electronics Technician Training is a vocational diploma program which helps graduates prepare for entry-level electronics jobs in a variety of settings, from manufacturing to repair shops. Graduates of our program are eligible to become certified through the Student Electronics Technician (SET) and the Associate Electronics Technician (CETa) exams, which can help you stand out when applying for jobs. It's important to keep in mind that the expectations of any job are set by an employer based on their educational and work experience preference. Therefore, the acceptance of any educational program earned from any school will vary from one employer to the next. Penn Foster College has earned national accreditation. Penn Foster is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). We are sorry to hear that you felt our program did not meet your needs. Should you have additional questions regarding your account feel free to reach out by writing to: student.reviews@pennfoster.edu Thank you!
First of all, it’s Clara not Carla. Well, your “diploma” is garbage. Nobody recognized that piece of trash. I wasted my money for a piece of trash. Even toilet paper has some usage but your diplomas are not even worth trash.
Awful service
Never use this so called college it is a huge scam. They lie to get you to enroll they will say whatever to get you to pay. Then when everything is said and done they will say oh we never said you can receive a voucher. Complain and they say oh we shall get back with you in 2 days. Try 2 weeks after having to call them myself 3 times. Nothing was fixed absolutely nothing and they won't admit fault so best to avoid this scam find another college that actually cares about the students that enroll. Run away and never look back.
Hello Jess: As you know, our program is an instructional course of study where Penn Foster awards students a diploma of completion after successfully completing their program. Sitting for the certification exam(s) is voluntary and not required to graduate. However, should a graduate pursue certification, any fees, or requirements, including technology, will be the student's responsibility. For technical requirements with the exam(s), it's best to contact the certifying organization directly and refer to the device manufacturer you will use during the exam to be sure your devices are compatible to be able to complete the exam. We are sorry to hear that you were not satisfied with your program. We appreciate your feedback and we wish you well with your career goals going forward.
Collections Balance
I am submitting this complaint regarding a collection account on my credit report. I initially started this program myself as a monthly program meaning I paid each month. I did not receive any type of tuition assistance for payment I paid each month from my own pocket. I stopped my classes due to personal changes in my life. I am highly upset that this company has added a collections account to my credit-damaging my report with false information that is affecting me in a negative way. I don't owe this company anything in advance will fight to have this removed from my credit report. This was a pay-as-you program only! I want this complaint taken to the highest level to be removed from my credit report.
Desired outcome: TO BE REMOVED FROM MY CREDIT REPORT!
Dear Student: We are sorry to hear that you are no longer interested in completing your program. As per the enrollment agreement signed upon enrolling into a Penn Foster program, students will have the opportunity to cancel their program in writing if they are not pleased with their studies. Students who cancel may be responsible for a portion or remaining balance of their tuition costs based on when they request to withdraw. Please note that if we do not hear from our students or receive payment per their agreement, the account may be referred to an outside agency for further collection if the account should become seriously past due. If you feel there is a discrepancy with your tuition balance we are more than happy to review your account. Please reach out to us by writing to student.reviews@pennfoster.edu We will be happy to review your account further. Thank you!
Penn foster pay
I had to retake 4 exams back in 2021 I paid my balance off in full. When I resubmitted the exams I never knew they were sent back to me. So now I went back to finish and they told me I had to re- Enroll. They gave me six extra classes to take and now they trying to charge me for the classes I did not need to take. They told me after I was finished I can call and they’ll work something out with the pay but now I keep getting the run around and no one seem to be helping.
Desired outcome: I would like to just pay for the 4 exams I had to take over.
Hello Simone:
We are sorry to hear you are disappointed. It's possible that even after a full payment, if a student's study time has been exhausted, it would be best to place them into a new and current version of the program as our lessons and exams content is updated frequently. We would like to take a closer look at your account to see where you currently stand, and we will also be happy to take a another look at your credits and credit transfer status. Please reach out to us by writing to
student.reviews@pennfoster.edu Our team looks forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you!
Transgender students forced to be called by their "deadname"
I am a transgender student and I haven't had the opportunity to change my name legally yet. While I understand that we would have to use our deadname before we can change it, I don't understand why there isn't an option to use a preferred name as well. The most someone can do is go to their class's profile and add a nickname that none of the teachers grading or working with you will ever look at.
Would I get points taken off of things such as essays for using my preferred name instead of my legal one? If so, change this OR have an option to check for a preferred name on your account somehow.
This isn't the first time this has happened to me, I also completed high school with Penn Foster and I'm still very unsatisfied with this school. I'm only continuing the classes because of the way the refund pollicy is set up.
Desired outcome: An option for transgender students to use their preferred name AND pronouns on essays and on their accounts where teachers with actually see, acknowledge, and respect them.
Transgender discrimination
I am a returning Penn Foster student who has spent a total of $1852 on programs from this establishment. I am currently working towards earning my third certificate with them. I recently am in the process of changing my first nam legally because I am transgender. When I signed up for my first certificate program with Penn Foster in 2016 I was not required to provide any type of identification nor have I ever been asked to do so. My ex partner also signed up using his chosen name and not his legal name and was also never given any issue or asked to provide any type of identification. Now that I am legally changing my name and am already in possession of court documents stating my name change has been granted I asked Penn Foster to please change my name on my account and to also reprint my prior 2 certificates with my new legal name so I can display them still, considering I earned them and paid for them. The response I received stated that I can change my name if I provide them with a copy of my court papers and a copy of my new drivers license, which will be no issue however I have not retained a new license yet as I am still waiting for my new birth certificate to come in the mail. The other part of the response stated that I can have my new name printed on my new certificate but that they cant do anything to reprint my prior certificates with my new name. I would like to point out that for a small fee I can have my certificates reprinted with my "dead name" on them, so this is not a matter of they CANT do this, but a matter of they WONT do this. I feel this policy is not inclusive of transgender individuals who have worked hard to earn certifications and can no longer use or display them because Penn Foster refuses to help in this situation. I also feel this is discriminatory because I have never been asked to provide any type of documentation verifying my identity at any time during the 6 years I have been a student with this institution up until now when I asked for inclusions for my new transgender identity.
Desired outcome: I would like to have my two past certificates updated and reprinted with my new chosen and legal name on them so that I can display and utilize the certification I have worked hard to achieve and paid generoulsy to have.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer's satisfaction.
Wrongfully done
Please do not wast your time or money with pen foster they have the worse customer service their couse material dose not match the exam.I took some of the meterial to a universal college to a professor states someone need to review material, Just take a look at the review and see what the stundent say. A big percentage of students did not understand the material . I had a family death in my family I was not able to contine my lesson for serveral months when I called and spoke with the representative explain my situation and told her my account was paid in full. The representative stated that I would have to pay $95.00 if i wanted to continue my edication . I only had 1 class to complete. . I contact penn foster on several occasions. the english did not make any since. I called spoke with kelly from the education department ask to speakwith a Supervisor and she told me it was against the law. That day I was transferred 5 time
Desired outcome: I just want my diploma
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer's satisfaction.
Reliability
I failed a subject (maths), and paid for a replacement subject (animal anatomy) which was different to the one I had failed, only to realize they sent me the same subject to rewrite. I did not pay to rewrite the same subject it's a replacement subject for a reason. When I send emails regarding this they are rude and offer no solutions very dissapointed.
Student No :[protected]
Desired outcome: To write the exam I originally paid for
Email address removal
I have repeatedly submitted requests to unsubscribe my email address ([protected]@gmail.com) from Penn Foster online school. Initially I wanted information for an individual I was assisting, but they have gone with another school. Therefore, I am no longer interested in receiving their communications. I click on the unsubscribe button believing this will...
Read full review of Penn FosterOnline school program
On or about 1/26/21 I enrolled for online program mechanic program. I have since traveled outside of the country and do not my return, and was unable to attend the classes, I have not participated in any activities or classes or anything. I was charged a $75 amount on 02/25/21 according to my bank documents. I immediately put a cancellation so I wouldn't be...
Read full review of Penn FosterOnline schooling
No matter what, I would not recommend penn foster and I would check into other legitimate online schooling programs. Penn foster is all about the paycheck and not actually schooling. When it comes time to graduate and receive your diploma, situation in which I am dealing with right now with my son, they hold out and want you to pay more money. Do not add any additional programs to the basic high school diploma, that is where they like to play games and collect more money. They refuse to remove without signing up for a whole new program. Even though he is 100% complete and all money paid in full, they refuse to submit and send his diploma. Stay away from penn foster!
tuition refund
My girlfriend was going here " cori martin" up until she changed her mind, and penn foster is refusing to return her money to the point that we are going to have to file a bbb compliant, we would like her money back before we are forced to do that, then sue after that if we don't get the money back. She has already tried to email you guys, yet you still refuse to give back the money you took. You also said she had to make all payments for her tuition before you would even let her take any classes.
trying to cancel and they won't let me
Old account since 2017 havent even done anything on it due to personal problems these past years, yes I recently did want to try it again so my account was already in collections and somehopw they pressured me that it would be good for me and blah blah but I just got news that ill be laid off of work due to not very business where im from and they still want to charge the $900 cancellation fee where am I getting that money from? nor pay the monthly bill they want to give me. if I never even used pennfoster at all why is it fair for me to pay them $1000 I dont have. I need this resolved or I will be making a big claim!
cancellation
Have recently tried to cancel with this company..you have to cancel by email. And they leave no email address..phone rep would not cancel..their attorney would not cancel and upped my cancel fee by $70.. I have been in contact with an attorney about a civil case..if you have been scammed by this company..please email rneilneil@yahoo.com..their advertising does not match what they really do..
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer's satisfaction.
online school
I got kicked out of the page i was on, back to the student log in. Im really mad because i wrote a damn essay and its just gone. I clicked submit and it kicked me out to the log in screen. This has happened a few times, but this time im really mad because i wrote so much. I really thought about everything, and now ALL my work is just GONE. I pay for this [censored]. Excuse my language but im pissed. If no one can fix this then im not continuing my school here. Its freaking useless. And its not my internet connection. I pay $60 for highspeed internet and everything works just fine. Just not piss Penn Foster. Im really mad because this is money im wasting. I thought this was school. Its not just a damn application for something. This my goddamn education. 😣😒😠
high school enrollment
I enrolled my daughter in Penn Foster to finish her last few credits of high school. I was only supposed to be billed on the remaining credits for graduation. She only had less than half a year to complete. I ordered the transcrips online, I mailed them and her high school counselor mailed them as well. I was never contacted as to when she would begin. We let it go and decided to go another route. Then I got a collection notice for the full amount of all 4 years of high school. I tried on several occasions to contact someone there and was given the run around.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL TO ANYONE.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer's satisfaction.
cancellation
I sent a message to cancel my studies and I got back an auto reply that withing 24 hours a representative will contact me.
All now no one call ore email. And I would like to cancel my course because of financial issues. I would like this to be cancel before the date for the next charge on my card
Hope to get and answer here soon.
Regards
Vanessa
My time to finish the course has expired due to the covid19 excuse used by P.F. I was told on phone by one person that I can still take my proctored exam once the proctor is approved. However last late March or early April I sent in the proctor choice paperwork. I need about 24 more credits with P.F. for the assoc. degree. Just stuck with about zilch communication from P.F. I did send in last written paper for grading prior to the deadline. Have no idea what is going on with P.F. Expired 6 days ago and I still have no grade or communication to approve my proctor and mail out the tests to proctor. Proctor is near by and has never heard from P.F. She is librarian, library is still closed, but she will open it for me to test. I've taken classes have diploma, certificate, and now want to earn the degree from P.F. but such foot dragging happening there now. Prior to buying or merging with Ashworth, P.F. had good customer service or student care as they term it.
Penn Foster Reviews 0
If you represent Penn Foster, take charge of your business profile by claiming it and stay informed about any new reviews or complaints submitted.
Penn Foster is a legitimate educational institution offering accredited online programs in high school, career training, and college education.
Yes, Penn Foster's programs are accredited by various organizations, including the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools.
Penn Foster offers a range of programs, including high school diplomas, career diplomas, certificate programs, and associate and bachelor's degree programs.
Some employers view Penn Foster degrees and diplomas positively, recognizing their accreditation and the skills students gain from the programs. However, the perception of online degrees may vary among employers.
Penn Foster offers affordable tuition rates, with a pay-as-you-go model and various payment plans, making it more accessible for many students.
Penn Foster's course content and materials are designed to be comprehensive and up-to-date, but the quality may vary depending on the program.
Many Penn Foster graduates find success in their careers after completing their programs, but individual success depends on factors such as the job market and the graduate's efforts in networking and job searching.
Yes, Penn Foster's online, self-paced programs are well-suited for students who need a flexible learning schedule, allowing them to balance work, family, and other responsibilities.
Penn Foster offers support to its students through resources like academic advising, tutoring, webinars, and access to an online student community.
Penn Foster credits may be transferable to other educational institutions, but it depends on the specific institution and their transfer policies.
The duration of Penn Foster programs varies depending on the program and the student's pace. Some programs can be completed in a few months, while others may take several years.
Penn Foster's online platform is designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate, allowing students to access course materials, submit assignments, and communicate with instructors.
Penn Foster students can interact with their instructors through email, phone calls, or online messaging within the course platform.
Penn Foster does not offer federal financial aid, but they provide flexible payment plans and discounts to help make their programs more affordable.
Yes, Penn Foster accepts international students, but it's important to verify if the program and accreditation are recognized in your home country.
Penn Foster has a refund policy that allows students to cancel their enrollment within a specified period and receive a refund based on the terms outlined in their enrollment agreement.
Penn Foster's customer service can be contacted through various channels, including phone, email, and their online help center.
Penn Foster is a for-profit educational institution.
Overview of Penn Foster complaint handling
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Penn Foster Contacts
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Penn Foster phone numbers+1 (800) 471-3232+1 (800) 471-3232Click up if you have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (800) 471-3232 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (800) 471-3232 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (800) 471-3232 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (800) 471-3232 phone numberCustomer Service+1 (888) 427-1000+1 (888) 427-1000Click up if you have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (888) 427-1000 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (888) 427-1000 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (888) 427-1000 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (888) 427-1000 phone numberStudent Care+1 (800) 275-4410+1 (800) 275-4410Click up if you have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (800) 275-4410 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (800) 275-4410 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (800) 275-4410 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (800) 275-4410 phone numberPenn Foster Career School+1 (888) 427-6200+1 (888) 427-6200Click up if you have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (888) 427-6200 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (888) 427-6200 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (888) 427-6200 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (888) 427-6200 phone numberPenn Foster High School+1 (570) 961-4033+1 (570) 961-4033Click up if you have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (570) 961-4033 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (570) 961-4033 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (570) 961-4033 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (570) 961-4033 phone numberCareer School, International+1 (480) 947-3994+1 (480) 947-3994Click up if you have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (480) 947-3994 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (480) 947-3994 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (480) 947-3994 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (480) 947-3994 phone numberPenn Foster College, International+1 (480) 947-6644+1 (480) 947-6644Click up if you have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (480) 947-6644 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have successfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (480) 947-6644 phone number Click down if you have unsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (480) 947-6644 phone number 0 0 users reported that they have UNsuccessfully reached Penn Foster by calling +1 (480) 947-6644 phone numberHead Office
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Penn Foster emailskris.boylan@pennfoster.edu100%Confidence score: 100%Supportsocial@pennfoster.edu97%Confidence score: 97%communication
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Penn Foster address14300 N. Northsight Blvd, Suite 125, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85260, United States
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Penn Foster social media
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Checked and verified by Jenny This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn moreSep 21, 2024
Recent comments about Penn Foster company
I completed the small engine course still had some money to pay missed a couple payment.Our Commitment
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