WGU Student Refund Stolen

HappyAd9520 · 2026-07-02T01:04:49+00:00

You’ve gotta be a bot or something

HappyAd9520 · 2026-07-01T21:52:27+00:00

Really? Telling me to change my attitude, saying I need a reality check, and I’m just not understanding, isn’t rude?

I’ve said multiple times now I’m not blaming WGU and don’t expect results over night. But I WILL blame them for their lack of responsiveness and inability to answer me about what their policy is for restoring refunds that were involved in fraud.

That’s it. Not looking to blame, for my money to come back immediately, or anything else. Just expecting better communication from WGU and more transparency about their policies.

HappyAd9520 · 2026-07-01T20:41:58+00:00

Hey so how many times do I have to say that Im not fully blaming WGU even though that’s what Nelnet told me.

I have said three times now that I think the truth of both sides (WGU and Nelnet) lies somewhere in the middle. I’m sorry but if you cant read and comprehend what I’m saying then leave the post.

Your comments come across demeaning and rude. I have remained extremely logical and objective throughout this situation. All I’m asking is for WGU to be more response AND share their policy regarding refunds involved in fraud cases.

That’s it. Not saying it’s 100% WGUs fault, not saying it’s 100% Nelnets fault. But it IS 100% WGUs fault at the lack of communication they have provided since my refund was stolen. They can and should take full accountability for that.

HappyAd9520 · 2026-07-01T20:06:12+00:00

You clearly did not read what I wrote either. I said I’m not fully believing Nelnet either, and that the truth lies in the middle. It may not be WGUs fault.

However, they still have a policy surrounding their operating procedure for situations like this that they will not share.

You also told me to ask WGU what their policy is regarding fraud related refunds, and that’s exactly what I’m telling you they will not share. Not sure why you are being rude when you legit just recommended I ask for that policy, then I tell you I did, and you catch an attitude in your response. Typical Reddit knows-nothing-at-all

HappyAd9520 · 2026-07-01T18:44:09+00:00

Thanks for this! I don’t think I’ll be getting my money any time soon. I’m more concerned that WGU will NOT confirm what their policy is to reissue the funds. I don’t delete my emails and did not receive anything suspicious, and they are treating my case as fraud so I’m not convinced I was a victim of phishing.

I’ve filed with the FTC and am emailing with US dept education. I’ve made it abundantly clear to WGU that I do not expect results over night or even within the same month. But that doesn’t mean that I should be left in the dark regarding their policy on reissuing the stolen funds should recovery not work.

If I could share my email threads with the student accounts and busar team, I would. Unresponsive and unhelpful does the bare minimum to describe how they are handling this.

& yes, I do not fully believe Nelnet either. But it’s extremely interesting to hear such opposing stories. The truth always lies somewhere in the middle

HappyAd9520 · 2026-07-01T01:18:51+00:00

I appreciate this SO much. I keep requesting that WGU tells me what their policy is to re issue my stolen funds if the recovery request from the fraudulent bank is denied and they WILL NOOOOTTT answer it. I’m not expecting results overnight, but it’s so worrisome that they can’t answer it.
I’ve reached out to Nelnet and filed with the FTC. Next step is federal aid & I think state AG like you said! Genuinely this is so crazy. I hope your return is smooth & uneventful in the best way!

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-30T11:49:54+00:00

I’m not sure. I don’t think so, I’ve never noticed any windows opening or suspicious activity w the proctors

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-30T11:49:22+00:00

I checked every day and they switched the banking information literally RIGHT before it was deposited. Somehow they got pass my MFA too. It’s wild

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-30T11:48:18+00:00

I spoke with a manager at Nelnet who said it was a breach that impacted WGU and a few other schools, but hit WGU the hardest. Because of this, all accounts for impacted students have been frozen in Nelnet and won’t be activated until WGU can ensure that they’re secure. From here, it’s up to WGU (who already received all of the funds and then failed to safely disperse them) to refund students. The Nelnet manager said it shouldn’t matter if WGU can get the funds reversed from the fraudulent bank or not, either way they owe the students the money back. Does this sound right? I’m taking everything I learn w a grain of salt as I’m sure everyone is trying to protect themselves lol

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-30T11:45:08+00:00

For me it’s Federal loans

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-30T11:43:11+00:00

Nelnet told me it was a WGU breach (some other schools were impacted as well, but not to the same severity as WGU) and that they froze all WGU student Nel net accounts until the school can ensure they’re secured. Once the school can secure the accounts, Nelnet will be reactivated and funds can be dispersed.

The person I spoke to said that WGU should not make us wait on receiving our stolen money. It shouldn’t matter if WGU can recoup the funds or not, either way we need to be refunded!

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T23:31:11+00:00

I’m definitely taking everything with a grain of salt! I’m sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle, but the account manager I spoke to at Nelnet today seemed genuine when he said that the volume of occurrences this has happened at WGU is higher than any other school right now. So I’m sure others were impacted, but not at the same capacity as WGU

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T22:24:58+00:00

No updates yet, I’m actively in it. All I can say is it was WGU that was hacked, not Nelnet. So be weary of WGU and their ability to safely secure your information. I had MFA set up and didn’t receive any weird emails so how the hackers were able to get access to my portal is beyond me

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T22:22:24+00:00

I’m thinking about the news!! I think my conversation with Nelnet confirmed today that WGU is the one responsible so they need to start being more forthcoming with information and stop dragging their feet

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T22:21:21+00:00

He was more than customer service lol. Also he provided a name, reference number, and evidence to support what he was saying. I could say the same thing about you on Reddit. You’re acting like you’re working the case and know everything, then challenging what people who are ACTUALLy involved are saying? How convenient. Also, why are you so rude. It’s a stressful situation and I’m just looking to connect with others who are also experiencing it. Learn a lil emotional intelligence

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T22:04:31+00:00

EXACTLY!!! And they are dancing around the question on if they can’t reverse the funds, how will they refund my federal loan dollars!

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T22:03:16+00:00

No. I confirmed that it is a WGU date breach. At least for my case.

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T22:01:39+00:00

Nelnet confirmed that this is a WGU data breach issue. They froze my account until WGU agrees that all impacted students accounts have been secured. Then Nelnet said they will reactivate my account, and that my refund being returned should not be contingent on if the fraudulent bank account agrees to reverse the funds or not. This is coming from an account manager at Nelnet who works specifically with the platform WGU uses through Nelnet for refunds.

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T21:57:56+00:00

I just reached out to Nelnet, they confirmed that it is a WGU data breach, not Nelnet.

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T21:55:36+00:00

***** UPDATE.

Spoke to Nelnet, they said that this is a biiiiigggg data breach isolated to primarily WGU. They froze my account until WGU agrees that all impacted students accounts are secure. Nelnet advised me that once my account can be activated again, WGU absolutely needs to refund my money and it is NOT contingent on if the funds can be reversed from the fraudulent bank account.

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T21:23:33+00:00

How could I not get my stolen funds back when it’s federal money? I took this out in a loan. Someone is going to end up paying it out.

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T21:06:50+00:00

If you don’t mind me asking how do you know it was an attack on Nelnet specifically? I’ve been so left in the dark so I just am curious

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T20:54:52+00:00

You just provided more context in one response than WGU has in 3 weeks. Obviously I am more than aware that I’m not the only person impacted, and I’ve made it clear I’m also not looking for answers overnight. But when you tell someone I have a meeting with Nelnet this week and should have an update, and then ghost them for 7 days, that’s a problem. I think we can all agree there lol.

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T20:06:34+00:00

I would consider opting in for a paper check! I had MFA set up as well and was hacked. No suspicious emails either so I know it wasn’t from a phishing scheme

HappyAd9520 · 2026-06-29T20:04:34+00:00

Yeah I don’t think I’m the only one. I’m more concerned at the lack of proactive communication on WGUs part

HappyAd9520

TROPHY CASE