My son has just transferred to a public U in Idaho from a public U in WA. He will start in Idaho in January. Unfortunately, he already pre-committed to entire academic year in dorms at WA. Housing at WA says they’ll let him off the hook if they find a dorm replacement for him, otherwise he’ll be liable for the rest of the school year’s housing charge.
He gets a pretty good FA + scholarship package at both places, but my understanding is that this would not cover the unused “rent” on the dorms that he may be charged. My understanding is that this will also be difficult to pay with 529 savings, because it would likely be an “unqualified” expense.
How best to keep the WA universities “feet to the fire” in their duty to look for a dorm replacement for him? Any other way to recoup this debt?
Do they realize that he is no longer enrolled at the school or are they maybe thinking he decided to move off campus? Most schools do not allow people to live in the dorms if they are not registered students. I would think the transfer from the school would automatically void his housing contract and result in a refund.
Hi me2-- Yes, they realize that he transferred to Idaho. The dorm housing contract is something like a “year lease” and (they say) housing says he’s stuck with the bill unless they find a replacement for him to live in the same dorm unit.
Was there any reason other than personal preference that he transferred? Medical, mental health, something that can be used as an ADA type of need? For example, if he developed a mental health issue and needed to be closer to home, he could get a letter from his therapist, and they’d probably let him out of the charges.
Aside from that, how about aggressive networking through social media to find his replacement? “Take over my dorm spot at state college, and I’ll kick back ten percent to you, as an incentive.” That way he can have someone take his slot, rather than waiting for the housing office to assign someone, which they may never do.
Hi Parentologist. Both decent ideas that we might try to pursue. In fact, the issue is that he did not want the vax and, starting last October, he is now barred from indoor rec as well as a from a number of other club activities, also from eating out in local restaurants. In short, nothing like a college life–or any life–really should be. None of this nonsense in nearby Idaho. Certainly, it would be enough to drive many to therapy.
Just want to update and resolve this issue. We closely read the rules for housing at University of WA. Housing, according to their rules, should not have tried to charge my son for the remainder of the year when he transferred to another university mid-year. (According to their rules, if you drop out mid-year then you are liable for the housing charge, but not if you transfer to another U.) My son discussed this with them, and they credited his account, so he’ll hopefully be seeing a refund check soon.