I went off to a four year university after I graduated high school in 2009. In the summer of 2010 I went back home and decided to take some summer classes at my local community college, I turned in my official college transcripts from the university to the community college at that time.I ended up dropping out of those classes that summer so I didn't earn any credit. Fall 2010 came and I returned to the four year university, however I decided to leave the university after that semester. I had dropped most of my classes and had only earned 3 credits for a speech class I had taken. I came home and attended a technical school for medical assisting which I graduated from in Oct of 2011 and then started working Jan of 2012. I started back taking classes at the same community college that summer semester and have been taking classes and doing very well, I currently have a 3.5 GPA.
My dilemma:
I am finishing up my pre reqs for the ADN program at the community colllege. One of the requirements to apply is that all of my transcripts have been turned into the college. I am not able to get my transcript from the four year university because they are on hold until I pay them $800. (My parents were supposed to pay this for me after I had left the school, but they never did.) I don't know how I am going to come up with all the money before this August (when I plan to apply to the program). I am thinking about applying to the program without sending in my transcript, the school already has my transcripts that I had turned in before and that speech class I took isn't required for the ADN program. I won't be using financial aid (hopefully) so there isn't really any way they are going to see I was at the four year university for a semester that they don't have transcripts for.
This is not what you want to hear, but if the program that you are applying to requires that you turn in all transcripts than you need to figure out a way to pay the bill that you owe to the university and free up those transcripts. Have you even talked with the collection agency to see if you can work out a payment plan? Many will work out a deal with you, and some will even accept a lower amount if paid in full. This is not going to go away, and even if you are able to get into the program at the community college, if you continue on for a BSN this is going to come up again. Also even though you plan to pay for everything out of pocket if there comes a time where you need to get financial aid again this debt is going to affect you.
I have talked with the collection agency and they aren't really willing to work with me. I tried to work out a payment arrangement but they wanted monthly payments of $300, which I just can't do right now. I'm not really looking for this problem to "go away" I figure that if I can finish RN school I will be making so much more money than what I am making now and by then I will be able to pay off this debt. So by the time I am going for my BSN it will be paid off. But I get where you are coming from.
You can either satisfy the request for $800, or potentially risk forfeiting your spot to someone who has their transcripts ready to go.
Will the university accept payments?
Will the college accept unofficial transcripts under these circumstances?
Will your parents relent and pay at least half of the bill?
Don't wait too long to exhaust your options. Months have a funny way of turning into years when we hit seemingly insuperable road blocks.
The college will no longer accept payments from me, I have to go through the collection agency. But I like your suggestion of getting some help from my parents, I have always hated asking my parents for anything, but if I talk to them about my situation maybe they will help out. I have also considered talking with the community college about taking unofficial transcripts, especially since I don't really have a significant amount of credits from the university, and most of my college courses were taken at the community college.
Thanks for the advice! It really helped me to consider my options
The college will no longer accept payments from me, I have to go through the collection agency. But I like your suggestion of getting some help from my parents, I have always hated asking my parents for anything, but if I talk to them about my situation maybe they will help out. I have also considered talking with the community college about taking unofficial transcripts, especially since I don't really have a significant amount of credits from the university, and most of my college courses were taken at the community college.
Thanks for the advice! It really helped me to consider my options
I have been through this. They will take whatever payments you can make I'm currently doing $180 per month and my original balance was $10300 but I'm down to $8000.
The college will not accept an unofficial transcript.
It's not that much money and you would've paid it off by now. But the past is the past. You can save regardless of how much you make and your bills. Make a plan and stick to it.
Because they require it for admission and if someone omits that information then it's fraud and their degree is invalid and can be revoked. Looked it up many times over the years for many different schools before accepting that I would have to just bite the bullet and pay the bill before getting my BSN
I have been through this. They will take whatever payments you can make I'm currently doing $180 per month and my original balance was $10300 but I'm down to $8000.
The college will not accept an unofficial transcript.
It's not that much money and you would've paid it off by now. But the past is the past. You can save regardless of how much you make and your bills. Make a plan and stick to it.
$800 is alot of money to me lol
I am already behind on bills as it is so its hard for me to save money like I should. I have been trying to put away like $5 a pay period but I always end up needing it for food or gas money. Its rough financially for me, if it wasn't I wouldn't even be considering doing what I am thinking about doing. But I do like your idea of talking more with the collection agency about lowering the payments. If I could do like $50 a month I would be cool with that
I would start finding any way to get that $800. That is the only foreseeable solution I see to your problem. You said your parents were supposed to pay it previously... Will they pay it now, or a portion? If you are really desperate, look into a small loan, or something.
I would never expect anyone else to pay for my education.. that includes my parents. However I gew up in a different household than most. Nothing has ever just been handed to me or bought for me.
That being said I think you better come with a way to pay off that $800. Lies have a way with catching up with you. It would a shame to get kicked out of a program for lying on an application. I doubt they would take you back afterwards.
I fully understand the whole issue of not having any $$$$. It's called being an adult. You figure it out or put your plans on hold until you can sort out your problems. Whatever you decide I wish you luck. Getting an education is not easy.
Because they require it for admission and if someone omits that information then it's fraud and their degree is invalid and can be revoked. Looked it up many times over the years for many different schools before accepting that I would have to just bite the bullet and pay the bill before getting my BSN
Its fraud if she tries to deceive them! It is not fraud if she admits that she has went to other schools and can not get the transcripts due to finances.
I would never expect anyone else to pay for my education.. that includes my parents. However I gew up in a different household than most. Nothing has ever just been handed to me or bought for me.
That being said I think you better come with a way to pay off that $800. Lies have a way with catching up with you. It would a shame to get kicked out of a program for lying on an application. I doubt they would take you back afterwards.
I fully understand the whole issue of not having any $$$$. It's called being an adult. You figure it out or put your plans on hold until you can sort out your problems. Whatever you decide I wish you luck. Getting an education is not easy.
What you would expect is irrelevant. Fact is most parents do help their children during college.
Anyways. Tell them your situation on your application, submit everything else and see what happens from there.
Good Luck
I can tell you what will happen. Nursing programs get thousands of applications every year, and any that don't meet the minimum requirements, no matter what the reason, will be filed in the "circular folder." It's a waste of effort to submit without all required documents.
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I have talked with the collection agency and they aren't really willing to work with me. I tried to work out a payment arrangement but they wanted monthly payments of $300, which I just can't do right now. I'm not really looking for this problem to "go away" I figure that if I can finish RN school I will be making so much more money than what I am making now and by then I will be able to pay off this debt. So by the time I am going for my BSN it will be paid off. But I get where you are coming from.
Thanks for posting