<p>I think I've found myself in a unique situation. I attended Duquesne University in the fall of 2005. Prior to attending I applied for a student loan with a co-signer, my uncle. Unfortunately, he didn't send in the necessary paperwork, and my loans never went through. So I attended school none the wiser, until after some family/personal events, I withdrew prior to the end of the semester. </p>
<p>Imagine my surprise when I recieved a phone call from the university stating that I owed them 15,000 dollars. I thought this was paid by a loan! I was only planning on taking the next semester off! Now, I cannot return to college until this debt is paid. Unfortunately, I can't get a student or private loan anywhere. My credit is practically non-existant, and I no longer have a co-signer. </p>
<p>I would love to return to school, and even have a job that will pay 8,000 a year towards tuition, but even though I have no credits to transfer, I'm still being considered a transfer student because I ATTENDED another school. Therefore, they want my transcripts, which will not be released until the debt is satisfied. </p>
<p>These are the main points -
1. I owe the university 13,000 at this point (I've tried to make some payments!)
2. I signed any and all paperwork pertaining to my finances and school prior to turning 18.
3. I don't have the credit or a co-signer to just "get a loan."
4. When I was in school, I had a 3.78 GPA, so I do quite well.
6. Because I am not 25 yet, I must include my mother on my FAFSA. Because we both live alone and have quite good jobs, between the two of us, we make far too much money for me to get federal aid.
5. I do want to go back to school.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions or help to offer? Its now the beginning of 2008 and I've made no progress. Please help!</p>
<p>I don't understand why your job will pay 8k/yr towards tuition, but will not pay the same towards your debt? It seems like you need to work and pay back the debt, then begin school with a clean financial slate.</p>
<p>You are going to have to figure out how to pay the amount you owe the school -- have you tried talking with them? Seeing if you can negotiate the amount you owe? Was that amount for tuition and fees, or did it include room and board? Did you withdraw in time for any partial adjustment in fees?</p>
<p>Some schools will negotiate a settlement with you -- it is worth asking. some will even release transcripts once you have completed x number of payments on a payment arrangement or paid a certain percentage of the amount you owe.</p>
<p>My understanding is that it doesn't mean anything that you were under 18 -- for school financial purposes. Other than the fact that you didn't follow-up to make sure the loan was processed (your fault, not theirs) you understood the costs and what was involved, so there was no deceit on their part. Plus -- since it was your decision to withdraw, they fulfilled their obligation.</p>
<p>To be honest, I think you made the right decision -- if you needed $15,000 a semester, you would have graduated with $120,000 in debt which is ridiculous. Hopefully, you will not be borrowing that kind of money the next time you attend.</p>
<p>The company I work for A. will only pay for fields within their job scope (its a federal requirement) and B. will only pay for schooling begun after you've been hired.</p>
<p>I've paid some of it down, but when I tried to arrange a payment plan, they gave me two options - pay now, or stretch it over 6 months. Huge relief, right?</p>
<p>I'm glad I got out when I did, and I'm still convinced I made the right decision. It was actually, I want to say 22,000 or 24,000 (tuition room and board/fees) for a single semester. I've covered that to 15,000 with merit awards. </p>
<p>The 13,000 I currently owe is a combination of tuition, room, board, and fees. I know I withdrew beyond any chance of tuition forgiveness, but I can't understand how I would be billed for room and board if I moved out in October???</p>
<p>I absolutely value the idea of working to pay off my debts, but when it comes down to it, I support myself, I already do not have many "accessories" (ie. cable, internet, home phone, car...) but as it sits, I simply do not have the means to pay this off in any reasonable amount of time. I know, I'm not going to "not do it because its not what I want." I'll pay it off no matter what it takes, I was really just looking to see if anyone had any other suggestions.</p>
<p>I have been in a similiar situation --and it sucks, but there aren't many ways around it.</p>
<p>I would suggest you read the bulletin/handbook for the semester you were enrolled. See what the policies were regarding tuition payments and housing payments. Some schools will only allow a credit if you withdraw before a certain date -- but the policies vary widely. Perhaps you can find something to help you out. Do some phone calling and write some letters -- offer to pay a certain portion or something. It can't hurt.</p>
<p>"...I can't understand how I would be billed for room and board if I moved out in October???"</p>
<p>A room and board commitment isn't a day-to-day or month-to-month agreement. It is generally a semester long, or in many cases a year long, commitment.</p>
<p>It sounds like your only option is to pay Duquesne off (perhaps your mom can help and you can pay her back after you graduate) and when that debt has been satisfied, you can transfer elsewhere and use your employers tuition discount program to finish your education. If you don't repay this debt, you will damage your credit to the extent that you will have trouble getting any type of credit (or even renting an apartment!) for many, many years to come.</p>
<p>Ah, I get it, sorry for the misunderstanding. You are in a tough situation and I appreciate how you are working to correct it and get back on track with school. Although I'm sure you've already thought of it, and probably don't like the idea, is there a possibility that you could cut costs by getting a roommate or moving back home until the debt is paid back? The only other thing I can think of is getting a family member or friend to loan you some money, with a written agreement to pay it back with interest after you graduate.</p>