What can I do about my school claiming I owe them $537 due to a mistake they made?

Paying for College
1

<p>I just finished my AA at Miami Dade College and received an email a few days ago claiming I owe them $537. Scroll down to "basically," for the condensed version. I called and was transferred to about nine different people until one of them told me I would have to go in person. I did this the following day and they gave my information to the head of general advisement. She called me the next day and told me that the reason I owe them this money is as follows: I did not qualify for a pell grant (my mother's income was too high) so I received what they call a Miami Dade Grant. This included $900 fall 2010 semester and $900 spring 2010 semester. I did get this money and have already spent it on the college. This woman told me that they made a mistake that year and were not supposed to give out more than $1,200 a year from Miami Dade grants.</p>

<p>Basically, She claims I owe them $527 plus another $10 for insufficient fee coverage a year after they distributed that money to me. She told me that if I don't pay it soon (mind you, they emailed me about this for the first time three days ago) it will go to collections. I think this is inconsistent and unfair. I will be going to UF in the fall and have been working hard on saving money to avoid loans for a while. $537 to me is very different from $537 to them. If you took the time to read through this, I really, really appreciate it and would like any help or opinions I can get.</p>

<p>Here is the exact email, titled, "Urgent - Outstanding MDC debt":</p>

<p>Date of Bill(s)........: 06/03/2011
Full Payment Due on....: 07/03/2011
TOTAL DUE..............: $ 537.00</p>

<p>Description Amount
---------------------------------------… --------------
F5 FINANCIAL AID AWARD REDUCED 527.00
FI 2010-1 INSUFFICIENT FEE COVERAGE 10.00</p>

<p>TOTAL AMOUNT DUE : $ 537.00</p>

2

<p>If they made a mistake and gave you more money than permitted, yes, you have to pay it back. Just like if your bank accidently put money into your account that is not yours. No, it’s not your fault, but you are not entitled to the money, and if you spend it, you have to come up with it to repay it.</p>

<p>You should call the Dean of students there and ask for help in dealing with this situation. Though you will have to pay what you owe, they may be able to give you a payment plan. Maybe, depending on what the $10 IFC is, maybe, that can be waived. Ask if there is a dean or someone who can advocate for you in this regard.</p>

3

<p>Second cpt’s advice. Contact the Dean of Students, or better yet the student Ombudsman, if there is such a person. Explain that it was the SCHOOL’S mistake, not yours, and that you do not have the financial resources to come up with $537 at the drop of a hat.
You shouldn’t be charged a penalty for insufficient fees if it was THEIR mistake. The right thing for them to do would be to set up a no-interest payment plan so that you can pay it off slowly.</p>

<p>PS- I would delete your name and address from your post.</p>