Generally, If someone intends to take a “gap year” or drop out and has remaining outstanding balances that they owe the school for a semester or year, does the school expect you to pay immediately? Most universities I am aware of have deferred payment plans in which students are able to pay their dues incrementally on a monthly basis, can this apply after they have left?
Edit: Especially in the circumstance that the student is unable to pay the full amount they owe immediately, say $6,000 for example or perhaps an amount lower or higher than that.
Edit #2: Additionally, do payment plans differ on the basis of their categorical designation or do they all conglomerate into one mass sum? ex: fees for college courses, fees for board and room (dorm), etc.
@CypressWood you need to talk to your college about this. I think most schools will try to work out a payment plan with you.
The thing is…you won’t be able to take college classes or apply for admission anywhere else…until the bill is paid. The colleges will hold your transcript which is required as a submission to attend college elsewhere.
So…talk to your college. Now! Get this resolved.
Each college is different, so you need to call the Bursar’s office. Don’t be afraid to do this. Sometimes, back in the old days, you could make small payments per month ~$100 per month. They will work with you; they KNOW you don’t have the money to repay, so they will work with you.
Thank you all for the replies!
Your payment plan will be based on the full amount that you owe the college. It’s the balance owed on your bursars account which does not differentiate between any billable costs…it’s the total bottom line. So if you owe for tuition, fees, room, board, a library fine, or whatever…the whole amount will be what the school uses to do your payment plan.
Absolutely, schools vary on these policies.
You can take courses at other schools if no transcript is required. For courses not requiring a proven Prerequisite, a lot colleges allow anyone to take whatever courses they please regardless of what they owe elsewhere. If you are applying to some program , that is a whole other story. If your first school won’t release the transcript, you may not be accepted to the program