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Western International University 
Potential Borrower Defense Claim

Western International University (WIU), a former for-profit institution once owned by the Apollo Group (also owner of University of Phoenix), closed permanently and left thousands of students in limbo. If you attended WIU and faced misleading practices, you may qualify for full federal loan cancellation under the Borrower Defense to Repayment (BDR) program


Why You Might Qualify for Loan Forgiveness

WIU is listed in the Sweet v. Cardona class-action lawsuit, a major settlement approved in 2022 that enables automatic loan relief for students who attended schools with strong evidence of misconduct. If you submitted a Borrower Defense application before June 22, 2022, you may be eligible for automatic cancellation.

Additionally, students who didn’t submit claims in time can still apply under the Borrower Defense rules or seek relief via the Closed School Discharge program, depending on their exit date.


Evidence of Misconduct and Legal Findings

While WIU avoided major public lawsuits like its sister school (University of Phoenix), it was:

  • Included in the Sweet v. Cardona list due to credible evidence of deceptive recruiting, poor career outcomes, and inflated claims about transferability and accreditation.
  • Affiliated with Apollo Group, a for-profit entity subject to multiple federal investigations over deceptive advertising and misrepresentation.
  • Closed by 2019, making many students eligible for Closed School Discharge, especially those who couldn’t finish or transfer their credits.

🕵️‍♀️Investigators noted that WIU heavily targeted working adults with aggressive marketing tactics while offering little in terms of career placement or credit transfer options.


What Relief May Be Available to You?

Relief TypeAvailable ToNotes
Borrower Defense to RepaymentStudents misled about cost, job placement, accreditation, or qualityMust show the school violated federal law or misrepresented important facts
Sweet v. Cardona SettlementBDR filed before June 22, 2022May receive full discharge without further review
Closed School DischargeWIU closed in 2019Students who could not finish may qualify

Want to File Yourself? Use Our DIY Guide

Our free, step-by-step Borrower Defense DIY Guide will help you:

  • Identify eligible misconduct
  • Gather proof of false promises or financial harm
  • Complete your BDR form accurately
  • Track and manage your submission

More Schools and Success Stories

Thousands of students have already had their loans forgiven thanks to BDR. Explore similar cases:

and many more

Browse the full list of schools with confirmed misconduct or closure.


What Should You Do Next?

  1. Verify your WIU attendance and dates (especially if you withdrew before the 2019 closure).
  2. Collect promotional materials, tuition records, transcripts, or emails.
  3. Apply via Borrower Defense or Closed School Discharge.
  4. Use our DIY Guide, or reach out to our team if you prefer professional help.

You may be entitled to 100% federal loan forgiveness. Don’t delay—eligibility may depend on your withdrawal date or when you filed a claim.

If you were misled by Western International University, you are not alone. Let us help you navigate the Borrower Defense process and reclaim your financial future.

👉 Start today at DefenseClaims.com

Former Western International University students celebrating student loan forgiveness after winning Borrower Defense claims

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