My school is saying I owe 1750!

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The school that I am attending has hybrid courses. From August to October I took nine credits. From November to December I took twelve credits. My academic advisor did not make me aware that my financial aid would not cover the extra classes that I enrolled in and on top of that I received a refund check. I enrolled in a few winter session courses that I paid $300 out of pocket for but dropped them before the classes started because I could not afford the books. I called my schools business office trying to get a refund for the winter session courses and they said that they are applying those funds to what I owe. They also made me aware that I won't be able to apply for my nursing school next semester until I pay the 1750! Can they do this? I have meeting with the dean tomorrow and I'm afraid that I may walk out of the meeting still having to pay 1750! This has crushed all of my dreams of attending my local nursing school. I have all A's in my prerequisites and one B+. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Specializes in med/surg.

Yeah, mine did something similar. I took a 5 credit hour course over the summer-my final class for my BSN, and they refunded me $2300 too much. I had never had that happen before, and so when they asked for it back a month later, I didn't have it anymore, it had gone for living expenses. So I won't be able to graduate until I pay them their money. I'm a stay at home mom in a grad school program, so they'll be waiting a while!

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That is why I keep on top of school. My schools business office offers payment plans. The kicker is that it all has to be paid off by the end of the semester.

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Specializes in kids.
Yeah, mine did something similar. I took a 5 credit hour course over the summer-my final class for my BSN, and they refunded me $2300 too much. I had never had that happen before, and so when they asked for it back a month later, I didn't have it anymore, it had gone for living expenses. So I won't be able to graduate until I pay them their money. I'm a stay at home mom in a grad school program, so they'll be waiting a while!

How did you enroll in a grad progam when you have not graduated?

And would it not be the right thing to do to repay? Just curious.

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This seems like a case of miscommunication.Sorry about that:no:. But this should be easy to solve. September was not too long ago, when you got the refund and since, you are working towards nursing school and saved it up, you should be able to just give them back the refund. Yes?

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Yeah, mine did something similar. I took a 5 credit hour course over the summer-my final class for my BSN, and they refunded me $2300 too much. I had never had that happen before, and so when they asked for it back a month later, I didn't have it anymore, it had gone for living expenses. So I won't be able to graduate until I pay them their money. I'm a stay at home mom in a grad school program, so they'll be waiting a while!

How does one respond to this?With humor! You kill me:)

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This seems like a case of miscommunication.Sorry about that:no:. But this should be easy to solve. September was not too long ago, when you got the refund and since, you are working towards nursing school and saved it up, you should be able to just give them back the refund. Yes?

Yes, there is a lot of miscommunication that was going on. I honestly didn't know that I would have to pay for those classes out of pocket or else I wouldn't have enrolled in them. My advisor didn't make me aware that I shouldn't enroll in extra classes. I just wish I would have known. I have a meeting today at 4. Hopefully I walk out with good news.

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Yeah, mine did something similar. I took a 5 credit hour course over the summer-my final class for my BSN, and they refunded me $2300 too much. I had never had that happen before, and so when they asked for it back a month later, I didn't have it anymore, it had gone for living expenses. So I won't be able to graduate until I pay them their money. I'm a stay at home mom in a grad school program, so they'll be waiting a while!

Y'know that saying...about when something seems too good to be true? Three years in the Army have taught me that if they (the government, that is) give you too much money back, they WILL figure it out, so whatever you do, don't spend it, especially if you can't regurgitate it instantly!

Of course, the exact opposite is true for underpayment. They'll never notice.

And damn, $2300 in a month for living expenses? I didn't spend that much when I lived in DC!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Hopefully they are willing to let you do a payment plan. Advisors don't always know the tuition, fees, aid & financial aspects. The registrar, bursar& financial aid office take care of those issues. I can pretty much guarantee you will have to repay. Perhaps they can override the registration hold for next semester if you agree to a payment plan.

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Specializes in med/surg.

I have a BS in business as well, so that was enough to get me into my grad program. It is not nursing specific. And yeah, to other comments: This was a pretty normal refund for me-I have received this much back for previous semesters, so I didn't think it was an over payment. Apparently since it was a 5 credit hour summer session instead of 6, I wasn't eligible for that much aid. You would think they could have figured it out since they didn't apply my financial aid or refund me until 3 weeks into the class. And yes, I spent it in less than a month-prepay the $800 in day care so I could do my 90 clinical hours, towing my truck back home and fixing it when my fuel pump gave out when I went to my first on campus day 100 miles away ($577), and paying a couple months rent and poof! $2300. I'd love to pay it back. Anybody want to give me a loan :)

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Sounds like an odd school how could you take so many classes in just one month? Normally classes are by semester, occasionally by quarter, but I've never heard of classes by the month. What college are you going to? A for profit college. Just seems odd.

Yes you will have to pay if you owe and I've heard of colleges charging more for over 18 credits. They will hold your transcripts and prevent you from taking more classes unless you pay or set up a payment plan to their satisfaction. If you have no money or access to money from parents you may need to take out a private loan to pay the difference. If that is the case, try a credit union first as their rates are normally lower and they will be less likely to take advantage and overcharge you with high rates like Sallie Mae. I've heard of private student loans in the 18% rate and that is just outrageous!

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In my experience, you have to stay on top of financial aid. There is always a lot of confusion, mistakes, and mis-communication. I check and double check everything, go to the office and make plenty of phone calls every semester to avoid mistakes and they still happen. You have learned an important lesson about staying on top of your school financial obligations. Sorry you are in a bind, but now you know what is expected so you can plan better next time. Whenever you get extra money from anywhere, including work, always pause and check that it was not given by mistake. It's not free money, it is a loan.

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Here is the thing to keep in mind... Schools are going to make sure they are paid for every Semester Hour they teach. You should make sure your aware of what your institution charges. For example.... If you take 21 Semester Hours @ $200 per hour, that equates to $4200. If you get a loan for $3000, then you have to produce $1200 out of pocket to cover the difference. Also, keep in mind, most schools will not allow you to graduate if you have unpaid debt of any kind. I once had a History Teacher tell me I couldn't take my final exam because I had an unpaid parking ticket. I was told this the day of the exam. I asked if I could take the test and bring him proof of payment after the test and before he recorded my grade. I was turned down flat... Subsequently, my grade dropped to a "D" in the class because of my final test score. It doesn't seem fair, but in defense of the college, they have to protect themselves....

I would just meet with them and have then explain why you owe the money. If you feel it's an error on their part, plead your case. If not, try to set up a payment plan. If they won't do that, consider a loan from a CC... You can claim it on your taxes.

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