<p>I used to attend FIU up until 2007. I had to live and pay school extras on my own since my parents just couldn't afford to help me out. After a while of working full time and being a full time student, my grades started slipping so my scholarship and finaid were taken away. I owed the school money up until last year when I was able to pay the money off and started attending community college.
Today I opened up a letter (from some debt collection company) that informs me I owe FIU $1,800.00. I made sure I paid them off in full all in one check. I called the school several times to verify the amount so I know there was nothing left to pay off. I even called several times afterwards and checked panthersoft, it said it was paid off. Heck, proof that it was paid is that my credits were able to be transferred to the college I attend now.
Anyone know what might be happening? I tried contacting them but as usual calling takes about a full day because their lines are always tied up. I spent waiting since 3:52 to 5:00 pm but since they close at 5, I wasted a whole hour. Yes, I do time them every time I call, sounds crazy but their terrible service has driven me to that.
Can schools charge interest? It would be ridiculous anyway since I payed off the debt, no interest could be charged after that.</p>
<p>A small tip for everyone planning to attend FIU, the school is nice and a lot of the professors are fantastic... But beware their student services. They will screw you over at least once per semester. Always go to the offices to deal with them because over the phone they simply don't care. I wish I could go talk to them but I moved 4 hours away. If I still lived close they would've received a very angry visit from me.</p>
<p>Schools can charge interest on an *unpaid balance<a href=“state%20law%20applicable,%20of%20course”>/i</a> but if it’s really a mistake, they won’t be able to collect interest, or any additional principal for that matter since the law doesn’t really want to reward clerical errors. </p>
<p>Start a notebook today with all the information you have about the debt and keep copies of any notices sent to you or phone calls made to you. (Date, time, name, organization, who initiated the call, what was discussed, next steps,…)</p>
<p>You should send the debt collection agency a formal letter following the guidelines suggested on the Florida debt collection page advising them that you believe that you do not owe FSU any money. You may also wish to inform the debt collector that you do not wish to be called at work.</p>
<p>It would probably be worthwhile for you to begin pulling together a file that includes the payment receipts and any correspondence you had with FSU.</p>
<p>Many debt collectors have purchased fairly garbage-ridden lists and attempt to collect debts that are not legitimate. If you believe you’ve paid what you owed, make sure that they follow all the steps that the law provides for your protection. </p>
<p>Yesterday was a holiday so it’s possible that the office was closed. I would send an email to the Bursar, rather than calling. That way you’ll get a written response which you should keep for your records. In the meantime, write to the collection agency (again, keep a copy for your records) and tell them that you are disputing the charge and require complete documentation as to the source of the balance due.</p>
<p>Go back in your bank statements/check register, find the check you sent, and you can usually get some sort of photocopy of the cashed check from your bank. Submit that as proof of payment. If you sent a bank check, there may also be a record, but I don’t know. It think it will be up to you to prove payment.</p>