Shovel2theirhead, Ikki is right. Please do not post anyones personal information on the boards. This includes home phones and addresses.

quote:

I have some addresses and home phone numbers but they still need to be verified.

Please don't post anyone's home phone and/or address on-line.

EDIFI victims: Don’t get mad; get even. Please write complaint letters to the BBB in Upstate New York, The New York State Attorney General, your state Attorney General and the FTC (complaint forms are available on-line). Also ask schools to suggest to the students that they research this business before attending any of their presentations. EDIFI started business in New York in March, 1993. By May 1993 complaints had already started rolling in. During the past 3 years alone, NY BBB has received over 100 complaint letters. This info comes from a letter I got from the NY BBB. I’ll post it if anyone is interested.
Every complaint letter will help. EDIFI has an UNSATISFACTORY rating with the BBB. EDIFI has proven not to care about their clients.
Anyone receiving invitations for an EDIFI presentation please post them in places on-line; someone who lives near a presentation location can possibly show up at the doors and warn potential victims and show examples of how EDIFI treats their clients after they get money from them. At least warn the potential victims to do some research. Maybe someone can save another person from a bad experience.
Here are names of some of EDIFI’s staff:
William Davidson, Chairman
Maura Katsberg, VP client services
Stephanie Rose, Contact
Michael Modica, Contact
I have some addresses and home phone numbers but they still need to be verified.
John! We’re coming for you bud...

maxwell101: cancell! cancell! cancell!
You can get your need-based aid for free.
You don't need EDIFI.
Please don't make the mistake I made.
You will have to obtain and fill out all appropriate forms yourself anyway. Get the forms from your school.
EDIFI will never willingly refund your money.
Get that check cancelled.

quote:

Originally posted by Bonita:
hey i went to the interview and it seem good but then i talk to the conselors from school and they told me i could get the same help for free because Edii is a scam is not good to trust when i tried to cancel the contract they didn't let me and io had to cancel my debit card so the charge won't be made. PEOPLE BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS EDIFI BECAUSE IS A SCAM.

How did you do it ? Will they sue because of the contract ? .........I got in it today but I don't think they charged my mom's account yet so if I can cancel I will.

EDIFI suckered us in a couple years ago.
They put on a good presentation, took our money, same story; zero performance.
A complaint has been filed.
Hmm, John Braat eh? Does John Braat make the decisions for EDIFI? Is he the one responsible for EDIFI's business model (or did that guy already skip town)? Their mission statement? Their ethics? Anyone know anything more about John Braat? Is he cool? Does he need to keep my money? Does he live near Albany?

Have any of you ever gotten an email, or mail from a company called Edifi? This is a company that offers college tuition to people. They send you and other students, along with their parents, an invitation to a hotel for a meeting that lasts about 90 mins long. During this meeting, they persuade you to pay approximately $995 for filling out all your FAFSA forms, and other college papers. When FAFSA and money are in the same sentence, you know its a scam. Why would you pay for something that you can do for free? And ontop of the fee, in the end, you never get your forms filled out! Past Edifi workers have even claimed that they never even knew anything about taxes, so exactly how are they supposed to fill out your FAFSA!?!?? And if you are inscribed to this program, now its too late to get your money back. The " Hotline"to cancel your money transfer, which they say exists, is never works!! no one picks up!. and if they do, they threaten to take you to court!! Edifi is a scam everyone, and if you ever recieve a letter in the mail about them or any other company, its a lie!. don't fall for it!!!!!!

This goes for awards to, you should never pay for an award. Colleges can tell which awards deserve merit and those that are juss scams to get your money.

Please let everyone else know. It really bothers me that people do this. I hope we can prevent other students fall into this trap.

So I actually went to the interview today...those suckers actually almost had me fooled. I am so happy that I have parents who said NO! this is a scam. I was sitting there in the meeting and I was talking to the consouler and He looked at me and he said that I needed them based on my families income, and he basically said that I needed a plan...I told him I had a plan and he was like okkk well it's 99 dollars to continue this that's how much you have to put down. I said no it's ok in matter of seconds I was out the door, they were mad because I said no...so yeah it's a scam listen to me..please don't do it.

I know I'm too old to be on this board, but I am a teacher trying to help out some of my seniors. I have a student who is having trouble with EDIFI. They have gone as far as asking her not to get her mother on the phone when they call. I've read all the comments on the board. They seem a little out of date. Does anyone have anymore information about them that is current?

hey i went to the interview and it seem good but then i talk to the conselors from school and they told me i could get the same help for free because Edii is a scam is not good to trust when i tried to cancel the contract they didn't let me and io had to cancel my debit card so the charge won't be made. PEOPLE BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS EDIFI BECAUSE IS A SCAM.

quote:

Originally posted by Shane:
Whoa! I'd forgotten all about posting on this board a year ago. A friend of mine got the Edifi invitation for his daughter and called me about it. He thought he remembered me telling him about how we were happy with them, but his daughter's guidance counselor was telling him it was a scam.


I've got to admit, when someone else says that, you start wondering yourself, IS IT a scam? I can only give my experience. (And by the way, it was totally hilarious to read that one poster's comment that I was their IT supervisor. LOL! I am not. My daughter and I lived in Michigan when we enrolled with them--and we live in California now. Their company is based somewhere in New York.)

I'll start with what we didn't like. There was one counselor we used to get on the phone, named Mr. Wells. He was just not easy to talk to. Not a natural communicator at all. Eventually we found lots of other counselors to talk to who were great, but for some reason there for awhile Mr. Wells was who we'd always get!

Besides that, what can I say? They did what they said they'd do. My daughter applied to four colleges, so in addition to handling all of the federal and state paperwork, they handled all the college forms too. Maybe some of you enjoy doing paperwork; I know some people do. I detest it!

My daughter was using their ACT online practice sessions. In the beginning she didn't seem too impressed with it. But she kept taking them prior to ACT crunch time and said they helped a lot. Apparently it's set up so that it keeps track of the student's incorrect answers and then starts to build customized practice sessions--so you're forced to deal with the stuff you're struggling with until you finally get it.

So was it worth a thousand bucks? I don't know if it's worth that to you, but I'm glad we did it. If for no other reason than we were able to call them and get good answers to all of our questions. In my daughter's school, she not only had a guidance counselor--but she had a COLLEGE counselor, and those two just were not much help to us. The one lady just kept telling us we'd have to investigate our questions ourselves. Okay, fine. I understand she's busy. But with the Edifi folks, all I had to do was pick up the phone and call. They were very helpful--very knowledgeable. (Okay, with the possible exception of Mr. Wells, but really everyone else was friendly, knew their stuff, and were a huge help to us in the end.)

If you really get into the intracacies of a complex system, then maybe you can do this on your own. I pay someone to do my taxes, and I paid this company to handle all the financial aid forms correctly--and prepare us for my daughter's college. I understand maybe some have had bad experiences. Mine was good.

I got the invitation for the interview about Edifi and i went. i was not very sure about the program but I was interested when they said they would fill out the forms. That really got me because i knew my parents would have a hard time with them and i probably would too.So my mom is paying but earlier in the day I told her to cancel. I don't want my moms money to go to waste incase they are fake and dissapear all of a sudden.

Whoa! I'd forgotten all about posting on this board a year ago. A friend of mine got the Edifi invitation for his daughter and called me about it. He thought he remembered me telling him about how we were happy with them, but his daughter's guidance counselor was telling him it was a scam.

I've got to admit, when someone else says that, you start wondering yourself, IS IT a scam? I can only give my experience. (And by the way, it was totally hilarious to read that one poster's comment that I was their IT supervisor. LOL! I am not. My daughter and I lived in Michigan when we enrolled with them--and we live in California now. Their company is based somewhere in New York.)

I'll start with what we didn't like. There was one counselor we used to get on the phone, named Mr. Wells. He was just not easy to talk to. Not a natural communicator at all. Eventually we found lots of other counselors to talk to who were great, but for some reason there for awhile Mr. Wells was who we'd always get!

Besides that, what can I say? They did what they said they'd do. My daughter applied to four colleges, so in addition to handling all of the federal and state paperwork, they handled all the college forms too. Maybe some of you enjoy doing paperwork; I know some people do. I detest it!

My daughter was using their ACT online practice sessions. In the beginning she didn't seem too impressed with it. But she kept taking them prior to ACT crunch time and said they helped a lot. Apparently it's set up so that it keeps track of the student's incorrect answers and then starts to build customized practice sessions--so you're forced to deal with the stuff you're struggling with until you finally get it.

So was it worth a thousand bucks? I don't know if it's worth that to you, but I'm glad we did it. If for no other reason than we were able to call them and get good answers to all of our questions. In my daughter's school, she not only had a guidance counselor--but she had a COLLEGE counselor, and those two just were not much help to us. The one lady just kept telling us we'd have to investigate our questions ourselves. Okay, fine. I understand she's busy. But with the Edifi folks, all I had to do was pick up the phone and call. They were very helpful--very knowledgeable. (Okay, with the possible exception of Mr. Wells, but really everyone else was friendly, knew their stuff, and were a huge help to us in the end.)

If you really get into the intracacies of a complex system, then maybe you can do this on your own. I pay someone to do my taxes, and I paid this company to handle all the financial aid forms correctly--and prepare us for my daughter's college. I understand maybe some have had bad experiences. Mine was good.

I fell for the EDIFI sales talk. To make a long story short, I filed a complaint and will get a partial refund. But...I am second guessing my decision. I have filled out many FAFSA and that is not the biggest deal but there are special circumstances and I guess letters to write to the financial aid office describing these circumstances. aAs well, there are custodial and noncustodial issues. I am thinking that there knowledge and assistance would be helpful in this type of situation.Input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Well regarding Ediffi, I have wprked for them, and I have alot to say about this company, they target the Minorties, they assume that they arelow-income families and it is agiven that they will get aid for college now each school give different amount of aid state schools they normally gine out on average 60-70% of the need and private schools gives more, given this fact Edifi capitilize on this, they tell special circumstances and they make it up and when you send these phoney letters to the schools and when the schools ask you to verify the facts you do not have good answer to them, so you lose aid becuase ate are lying to the school, then they ask you for the award letter and they tell we will appeal the letter and get you on average $2700 more aid IT IS A LIE.What they do is they calculate you EFC and they reduce the # on line 56 on your 1040, or line 36 on 1040A what that do is increasing your EFC and then when they ask you to send the SAR(student aid report) which they insist not to go on line and update that yourself when they increase the #'s on these 2 lines the EFC drops and evntually the revised award will increase. and many other things, I really want to tell how the so called senior Callers how they make fun of the clients including the supervisors,in one case they advised the client not to accept the offer from baylor because they have to pay $50 deposit to reserve room and board. when The school contacted the client and told the Mom that the money is not there because they did not pay the $50, and the client called and I took the call and I asked if they pay the deposit and told no because I was told not to do that, she spoke the former crane operator who was working in waste-manegment(Supervisor)and he was fighting with her trying to dominate the situation and then he had the nerve to come to me and stated "this mom is a single parent and was busy banging guys and totakky forgot about the deadline" that is not true, I stand by my story and for many months I brought alot of issues to upper mangemnt attention and no feed back.Another important and very important thing when it come to income and taxes there is no one knows taxes there that is why the ask for the previuos year tax return so that they can slab "estimated Income for the base year) I feel bad for every on who was apray to edifi, I always felt sad for the clients, paying this $995. and again the guy who calls him self Shane and biught into the program he is the IT supervisor.

Here's a kick in the head:
It would seem that EDIFI COO, John Braat is the one who lost-it in the discussion boards.
[ sarcasm ]What high standards EDIFI must have in what it demands from it's officers, huh?[ /sarcasm ]
Additional information may be found here:
http://www.wrgb.com/iteam/investigation/investigation.asp?selection=article_23382
and through the following Google search:
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&num=100&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=Edifi&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images

As for us, I'm notifying the headquarters for our large metropolitan school district; and request that they send out flyers to all of the district high school campuses; advising parents of EDIFI's underhanded tactics, and awarning them to steer clear of them at all costs.

I'm sure EDIFI will know who we are by the downward-blip they see in response from our region. Maybe Braat can find another line of work...like used car sales.

When someone mentions FAFSA and paying money in the same sentence, you know it's a scam. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can be filled out free of charge, as the name implies. Sure, you can have someone else fill it out for you and be charged, but they're doing exactly what you'd be doing by filling it out yourself, only you're charged. It makes no sense to pay for something that's free.

quote:

Originally posted by Shane:
Could you give me more information as to why Edifi is a scam? I bought into the program myself for my daughter, and so far we're really happy with it. I guess more than anything they've been there with answers to all our questions. My daughter thinks their online SAT helped her improve her SAT score, and there was no WAY I was going to be able to handle the FAFSA and all the other financial aid forms myself. From where we're standing, the program has been great. I usually have a pretty good B.S. meter, and it just isn't going off. What am I missing?

There was no WAY you could handle the FAFSA & other forms yourself, huh?

I have an excellent B.S. Meter, and it was going off as soon as I saw the envelope this afternoon. It rose higher when I read the announcement of my daughter's "selection" as being geographically and financially eligible through EDIFI's "college assistance program."

Can I bring my local Justice Department Agent with me to the seminar too? He's geographically and financially eligible too.

Right now, my B.S. Meter is literally pegged at SHILL!!!

Gee...why don't folks simply consult with the
Better Business Bureau, Inc.
741 Delaware Avenue
Suite 100
Buffalo, NY 14209
?

If you consult the following URL:
http://search.buffalo.bbb.org/nis/newsearch2.asp?ID=1&ComID=0041000024001253
You'll find the following opening information on EDIFI...
"Customer Experience

According to the company, College Financial Aid Services is a national company that assists clients in planning for college. Prospective college students are mailed a letter advising them they have been selected for a personal interview.

Students who call for their interview are scheduled for a financial aid seminar along with other students and parents. At the seminar parents are given the option to purchase services at a charge of approximately $900. Their primary service is assistance filling out financial aid forms.

College Financial Aid Services has an unsatisfactory report with the Bureau due to a pattern of complaints from consumers who report misleading sales practices and dissatisfaction with the service. The company responds to complaints by offering a refund or an explanation of their services."

A refund is a wonderful way of making things right when a given student's FAFSA & other forms were never filed timely, and the kid is out their aid.

If you look further at:
http://edumacation.com/EdificCollegeFinancialAidServicesOpinion
(Linked from : http://edumacation.com/EdifiCollegeFinancialAidServices )
You will find the following text:
"It is not unusual for a business to attempt to silence its critics. In the Edifi College Financial Aid Services Company Statement web search for Edifi College Financial Aid Services Company Statement, a representative of Edifi admits to actively monitoring the web for statements that disparage their company. How far they go to silence their critics is unclear, but it does seem clear that they aren't always upfront about their participation in the discussion when they attempt to rebut the statements of their critics."

...and a link chain that takes you straight to:
http://www.collegeconfidential.com/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?6/10293

Wherein you will find the following admission from an anonymous EDIFI representative:
"By Jbraat (Jbraat) on Thursday, July 03, 2003 - 06:14 pm:
Yes Mkd256, I am closely connected with Edifi. I perform web searches regularly to find what comments are being made about the company and post my opinions, facts about Edifi and correct untruths. Far too long Edifi let those who market on the web cast dispersions and spread rumors about the company. It saddens me that so many in this industry have little if any scruples and use Edifi's name to drive clients to their own sites. Not only do they violate trademarks by doing so, but they distroy the credibility of the entire industry by slinging mud. I don't think you should build a company by that type of behavior. We should leave the mud slinging to the politicians."

(Of course, like SCO, EDIFI probably isn't above frivilous litigation to power their PR machine since reorganizing, so watch your step in replying to such requests.)

Please notice that the person he was arguing the issue with followed up with the following text from appears to be a CPA publication:

"FTC Consumer Alert

Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection Office of Consumer and Business Education

Ouch! Students Getting Stung
Trying to Find $$$ for College

Washington, D.C. Need money for college? Doesn't everybody? With tuition bills skyrocketing and room and board going through the roof, students and their families are looking for creative ways to finance a college education. Unfortunately, in their efforts to pay the bills, many of them are falling prey to scholarship and financial aid scams.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, unscrupulous companies guarantee or promise scholarships, grants or fantastic financial aid packages. Many use high pressure sales pitches at seminars where you're required to pay immediately or risk losing out on the "opportunity."

Some unscrupulous companies guarantee that they get scholarships on behalf of students or award them "scholarships" in exchange for an advance fee. Most offer a "money back guarantee" but, attach conditions that make it impossible to get the refund. Others provide nothing for the student's advance fee not even a list of potential sources; still others tell students they've been selected as "finalists" for awards that require an up-front fee. Sometimes, these companies ask for a student's checking account to "confirm eligibility," then debit the account without the student's consent. Other companies quote only a relatively small "monthly" or "weekly" fee and then ask for authorization to debit your checking account for an undetermined length of time.

The FTC caution students to look and listen for these tell-tale lines:

"The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back."
"You can't get this information anywhere else."
"I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship."
"We'll do all the work."
"The scholarship will cost some money."
"You've been selected" by a "national foundation" to receive a scholarship- or " You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered.

If you attend a seminar on financial aid or scholarships, follow these steps:

Take your time. Don't be rushed into paying at the seminar. Avoid high-pressure sales pitches that require you to buy now or risk losing out on the opportunity. Solid opportunities are not sold through nerve-racking tactics.
Investigate the organization you're considering paying for help. Talk to a guidance counselor or financial aid advisor before spending your money. You may be able to get the same help for free.
Be wary of "success stories" or testimonials of extraordinary success-the seminar operation may have paid "shills" to give glowing stories. Instead, ask for a list of at least three local families who've used the services in the last year. Ask each if they're satisfied with the products and services received.
Be cautious about purchasing from seminar representatives who are reluctant to answer questions or who give evasive answers to your questions. Legitimate business people are more than willing to give you information about their service.
Ask how much money is charged for the service, the services that will be performed and the company's refund policy. Get this information in writing. Keep in mind that you may never recoup the money you give to an unscrupulous operator, despite stated refund policies.

The FTC says many legitimate companies advertise that they can get students access to lists of scholarship in exchange for an advance fee. Other legitimate services charge an advance fee to compare a student's profile with a database of scholarship search engines on the World Wide Web. The difference: Legitimate companies never guarantee or promise scholarships or grants.

For more information on scholarship fraud or for a complete list of free publications, visit the FTC online at www.ftc.gov. click on Consumer Protection. Or write to Best Sellers, Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580; or call the Consumer Response Center toll-free at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) ; TDD 202-326-2502.

If you want to file a complaint, you can do it online at www.ftc.gov-click on Complaint Form. Or you can file a complaint by writing or calling the FTC's Consumer Response Center. Although the Commission cannot resolve individual problems for consumers, it can act against a company if it sees a pattern of possible law violations.

This publication was produced in operation with the College Parents of America. CPA is a resource, advisor and advocate working on behalf of the millions of parents of current and future college students throughout the United States. For more information about CPA, call toll free 1-888-256-4627 or visit CPA online at www.collegeparents.org"

Jbraat's response had to be edited by the board Administrator, with the following note:
"edited for flames directed at posters and site -Admin"

Evidently, the pseudo-covert EDIFI reps lose-it when confronted with informed consumers. You know...the ones who can read.

Given the construction of Shane's posting....I can't help but wonder how long he's been on the EDIFI payroll?

Shane:
I don't know much about this EDIFI myself, but I do know that the FAFSA can be filled out online with relative ease providing you have a grasp on your financial info (tax stuff, stocks, bank info, etc.). As far as I know there are also alot of non-profit organizations that will also help you fill out a fafsa if you are having difficulties, including your daughter's financial aid department at school. As for SAT prep, I'm not sure what the going rate is but generally speaking you shouldn't be paying $800 for an internet test prep tool that you could buy the software for $20-$50. $800 is more like what you would pay for a LSAT, MKATZ, or Bar Exam test prep class that would run for probably at least a few days, in the flesh.