That is so not true. My husband had to produce his college diploma for the last job he was hired into recently (and he’s been in the same type of business for 30 years). I am a nurse and I have to show my diploma to HR during hiring processes. I don’t think advising someone that they don’t even need their diploma is wise.
Be careful: They will charge interest and penalty for late payment.
And grades for the last semester may not be counted because of incomplete enrollment.
I assume that the $12,000 is from a lack of payment for your final semester…so…how could you be graduating? I would think that you have not received any course credit for the semester, even if you did show up for class. Have you received any information from the school regarding graduation? My daughter is graduating…she had to fill out some paperwork, make sure everything is up to date, pick up her cap and gown, etc…
Again, what is this $12,000 from? It can’t be from student loans because students graduate all the time owing money from their student loans. The only other explanation that I can think of is that you did not pay for your final semester.
I have been working for 30 years in a variety of settings. While nobody has ever asked me for my actual diploma, some have asked to see my final transcript. Others have not asked for anything other than my license and certification, which in and of itself is proof that I graduated.
I am also licensed and certified for my job. I was required to show my final transcript which showed that my degree was completed…to get both my license and certification…and for my national certification.
If I had an outstanding bill, that final transcript would not have been released to me.
Hopefully the OP will get back her after the holiday weekend.
Bottom line…the bill MUST be paid. The college doesn’t care where the money comes from…but if it’s money owed to them, they expect to be paid.
I just wanted to see all the different options available. I wanted to see if there were any grants, scholarships, etc available to help pay off past due tuition.
You post made people think you are delaying payment. Usually payments are due at enrollment time or a few weeks after enrollment time, not that late in your case.
I don’t think any organization can give you a scholarship in a few weeks. Scholarships are usually for future enrollment and require a long application process time.
Your best bet is to borrow.
Folks here are trying to get a perspective on how this happened. The reality is…you can’t get scholarships and grants for years of college that are ending.
When does your term end? Did you take the $7500 federally funded direct loan for this year already? Did you complete a FAFSA? If you have completed a FAFSA, AND you haven’t already taken this year’s $7500 Direct Loan…get to your financial aid office ASAP…like tomorrow. Ask how you can get that loan. You need to this ALL done before this term ends, or it won’t be available to you.
Will anyone co-sign a private loan for you? Like your parents? Do you have a job lined up for after May when college is done?
@XxTTxX - To the best of our collective knowledge, there are no grants or scholarships to pay off a pending bill like this. You would have needed to apply for the grant/scholarship in advance of enrolling for whichever term ended with you having this bill. Your options are to borrow the money from an individual or a bank/credit union/credit card, and pay the bill off, or to negotiate a payment plan with your university.
@3js3ks - Thanks for correcting me about diplomas! I expect that this can be a career specific thing (you mention nursing). I don’t know anyone who applied for a job in the US who ever needed to produce a diploma - transcripts, yes, but not diplomas. Other than a general notion that they are in boxes in the basement, I’m not even sure where any of my diplomas, or my husband’s, are. On the other hand, I do have multiple sealed copies of my seven different college transcripts in one file for the hopefully-not-too-soon event when I need to produce them for a job interview. 
Take out the $7500 student loan for this year if you are able to, and if you have not done so already. This would leave you with a $4500 balance. Maybe your parents can lend you the money, maybe you can pay by credit card and pay it off. That is not a great option, but at least you will have the degree and can move on and pay it off as quickly as possible.
There are no scholarships available for you that could be used for this purpose.
The only way is to get a job (or borrow from your parents). Start now, perhaps on campus (the early shifts on the cafeteria always need workers).
If you didn’t take your federal loans through FAFSA for this year you can borrow that before you graduate and use it to pay part of the costs.
If the $12,000 are in addition to federal loans then you need to start making payments with your paycheck and devote all of them to that till you move out.
Will you be living at your parents’ or will you need to pay rent somewhere?
One place I’ve been asked for my diploma is to get a teaching license/substitute teacher’s license.
In Maryland, ‘professionals’ are supposed to display their diplomas. I’ve seen more than a few framed diplomas, stacked behind an office door, or different ones for doctors and dentists spread around the offices and exam rooms.
Thank you!!
Long story short: My school informed me mid-February that my loan had been canceled.
I asked them if I could just drop my courses and return next semester. They refused because 1.) Add/drop past 2.) They already accepted my federal loans. I had no choice, but to finish this semester.
Thank you for your response!
The debt will be sent to collections at some point and interest and penalties may accrue. Your credit score will be affected, and some potential employers may check into this.
You need to make a payment plan with your college even if you are think you won’t need your diploma or transcripts.
Thank you.
Yeah, I definitely need my diploma in order to take the NCLEX
Can you ask for some emergency loan from your financial aid office? Anything can they do for you?
I’m wondering why the loan can’t be reinstated?
What Loan was cancelled?
And, Why?