The parent and student need tomhead to the bursar’s office at the school and get this sorted out…ASAP. They need to figure out where the bills were sent, and when…and why they were not paid. They need to look to see whether this students fafsa was selected for verification…and no financial aid was disbursed because the verification wasn’t done.
They need to set up a payment plan.
Is this a for-profit college?
As other’s have said, you are going to need to pay the bill in order to release his transcript. However, he should not go back to school or run up any additional expenses until the student and parent(s) have figured out a workable plan to pay for all expenses needed to get to graduation. I have met a few students who ran out of money part way through university and were not able to continue. This was not a good thing. Also, you will need to figure out the total debt needed to get to graduation, and don’t do it if the total amount of debt is too large.
@“stressed mom”
I will make one more IMPORTANT suggestion. Colleges tend to do all of their communications with the students. Clearly, your student didn’t read his billing statements…and I’m not going to speculate why,
BUT if this gets resolved…and he continues in college, I would STRONGLY suggest you insist that this student give you access to the billing office and billing statements. It will mean he has to sign a release, and also provide YOUR email…and there will be a user name and password. BUT that way YOU will be able to check these things yourself.
Completing a FAFSA is an application…it is not a guarantee of receiving financial aid at all. The schools take that information and determine your need. There is some need based aid that is federally funded, and is awarded based on your FAFSA EFC…Pell Grant is one. Getting a subsidized vs UNsubsidized loan is another. Some states have aid for low income students as well.
Like I said earlier…both you and your son need to head over to the bursar’s office NOW…and figure out where you stand right now. Find out if it’s too late to get the Direct Loan for this spring term. Find out what you need to do to continue.
At a minimum, quickly apply for a federal Plus Loan. You’ll be denied but your son will get an extra $4k in loans that will cut his balance in half. Then over summer, he’ll need to work/save to pay off the rest.
It is VERY doubtful that he can return to this school because this debt issue will repeat semester after semester.
^^^ True but don’t lose hope @stressed mom. You and your son need to regroup and find an affordable option or work plan for him. But you can do it.
@“stressed mom”
I hope this all works out. But please, please discuss this with the college as soon as possible.
thank you for your support I’d hate to see him lose out on an opportunity cause of my mistakes
thank you for all the support I really appreciate it