Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Northeastern University's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Northeastern University

  360 Huntington Ave 310CP Boston, MA 02115-5005

• 

  Northeastern University

  271 Huntington Ave Boston, MA 02115

• 

  Northeastern University

  249 Richards Hall,360 Hunting. Boston, MA 02115

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/22/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My daughter ********* attends Northeastern University in Boston, MA. ********* was 17 when she entered into the financial agreement with Northeastern University for the tuition. Northeastern University did not explain to her about the importance of paying her tuition by certain deadlines to avoid collection. Northeastern University did not explain to ********* what collections meant or the impact to her credit. When ********* went to register for the Spring 2025 semester, she was told her account was blocked from registering. On November 21st when ********* attempted to pay her bill of ****** she was told she couldn't make a payment on her prior balance from Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 which was approximately ****** or her current Fall 2024 semester bill of approximately ****** because her account was in collections with a company called ****************************************************************** - ************. Although there was a form on file for Northeastern University to contact her parents for financial matters, they never contacted ********* parents before sending a 19 yr old to collections. The collection fee of approximately ****** is being demanded as a fee from the collection agency in addition to the ****** bringing the total demanded from ********* ******* before they will allow her to continue her education at Northeastern University. Northeastern University actions appear predatory as they know a teenager is not equipped with the knowledge to understand when something goes to collection, why it goes to collection, and the impact to credit history. Additionally, Northeastern University nor ************************* ever notified ********* or her parents that 2024 charges that she accrued were going to collections. ********* parents had an expectation when the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) was completed to allow access to financial information if Northeastern University had an issue parents would be notified.

  Business Response

  Date: 12/20/2024

  We understand that the customer has been in contact with the **********************'s *************************** We will attempt to resolve the issue directly with the customer.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/03/2025

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  Northeastern University billing process is flawed and refuses to resolve amicably the student account issue of ********* ********* with the student or either of her parents.  Additionally, they have decided to reject any agreement to pay the balance due if it doesn't include the 33% collection fee tagged on by Reliant  ************) the collection agency directly hired by Northeastern University.  Northeastern University is refusing to take any action to resolve the matter and ******* in Northeastern University financial services as of today states that only Reliant, Northeastern University's directly hired collection agency(****************************************************************************************), can speak to us with regard to resolving any balance. Northeastern University is unwilling to take any responsibility for the failed billing  process that led to delays in tuition payments.  To think it is permitted by Northeastern University to refuse wires from American banks for payment of tuition is outrageous considering they take bank wires from non-US banks (see screenshot found at this link - ***********************************************************************************); this is unfair to U.S. citizens who only use U.S. banks.  So let me get this, a student that is 17/18 years old Northeastern University is allowed by law to send them to collections but not allow them to pay a tuition bill via wire from a U.S. Bank.  Not legal to drink but legal enough to go to collections, someone is not thinking logically at Northeastern University about the tuition bill paying or the organization of financial services goal.  BBB please investigate as Northeastern University is NOT making any attempt to look at their student billing to the wrong address and payment process for U.S. citizens.
  
  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  Crystal

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/17/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I keep getting mail from this business claiming I graduated, that I am an alumni and to donate money to the school. I have not graduated from Northeastern University. I have a list of the courses that would be required to graduate with a degree in electrical engineering technology. I have a transcript from the school and non of these courses appear on the transcript. I want this business to no longer send any alumni mailings, to confirm that I have not taken any of the courses required to receive a degree in the electrical engineering technology degree they are claiming. and provide an apology. This is harassment and deceptive business practice. I will provide a copy of the transcript and a official list of the courses required to receive a degree in electrical engineering technology to show as proof.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/30/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.  I have attached a certificate of non response produced by the notary public as proof that this business has committed fraud against me.  The business was contacted by me to dispute the claims that I am an alumni and that I have a degree in electrical engineering technology. the business failed to respond.  The notary public sent them an affidavit with the same inquiries. they failed to respond to the notary public. the notary public has issued the attached certificate of non-response as proof of the fraud.  I want the business to pay for all of the damages they have caused me

  Business Response

  Date: 12/17/2024

  The customer has been removed from the **********************'s mailing lists.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/31/2024

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  [You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.  If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.] Northeastern University failed to respond to the claim that I graduated from the school, they failed to prove that I graduated from their institution with transcripts, course listings for said degree and they failed to offer a settlement. A ***-1 has been filed with the Massachusetts secretary of state with a dollar figure amount to recover all damages caused by Northeastern University. It is advised that Northeastern University submit a letter to the secretary of states for ******************** to settle the matter. 
  
  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  *******

   

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/06/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Sure, here's the updated version:Hi,I am an international student at Northeastern University, *********************. We are required to purchase health insurance through the university.I will be graduating next March, but the university requires us to pay for health insurance until next August. Additionally, there is no option for a refund for the remaining months if I secure employment and my employer provides health insurance.I believe it is our duty to pay for health insurance while we are enrolled at the university, but I think it is unreasonable to require payment for the health plan after graduation. I hope this policy can be adjusted.The insurance policy is underwritten by ********** Blue Shield of MA and serviced by ********* Student **************** Risk. I contacted *********, but they informed me that it is Northeastern University that does not allow termination of coverage.I hope you can help me resolve this issue.Thank you very much.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/18/2024

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/22/2024

  We are in the process of reaching out and resolving the issue directly with the customer. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/23/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I paid my son's tuition to ensure he could register for the Spring 2023 semester before the required date on December 1, 2022. He then received an ROTC scholarship and they paid so Northeastern was paid twice and now owes me in excess of $30,000. It took them over ******************************************************** it would take them longer to respond and they have now had $30,000+ that does not belong to them. They have done the same to other students on scholarship holding grant ***** and other reimbursements. They claim it takes them months to process the refunds but seems very illegal to me.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/28/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Communications with all involved have continued and a resolution has not been provided since 2021 to date. My concerns are with Northeastern University's (NEU) leave process and it's failure to deliver on it's statement to honor the * grades on my transcript. The lack of transparency, restrictions, and administrative delays directly resulted in the * grades on my transcript. Northeastern University has been involved /included on all ongoing communications to date.March to August 2021 - I was ill and advised to request for leave from my professor. My academic advisor instructed that I submit a personal leave. I was later told by the personal leave team I needed to submit for a medical leave instead. I could not withdraw my classes per leave instructions. My medical leave request was rejected without clear cause while I have provided medical documents requested. The medical leave team could not specify what exactly was needed to satisfy the leave requirements. The team dismissed my request to see pertinent policy language taking away my ability to take appropriate action. The process resulted in a registration block at the time and * grades on my transcript. I continued to escalate my concerns on this matter with NEU. April 2022 - I submit a complaint with the MA DOE about the registration block. Communications included my concerns on the leave process and how it directly resulted in the * grades on my transcript. NEU stated it will honor the * grades. November 2022 to January 2023 - NEU academic advising replied and stated the * grades will remain on my transcript. I submitted a complaint to the *A*SA. NEU was cc'd and I have not received a response. I followed up with NEU twice more and silence. I cc'd the ****** of ***** Rights as I understand this is retaliation for raising my concerns.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/08/2023

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.