College mistake costing me 4000!

Katie Kaboom

Hi

I am currently 2 weeks away from finishing my 1 year masters and I received a letter from my college yesterday saying my fees are not being paid by SUSI.

When I started the masters I was unsure if my fees would be paid by SUSI, then in Oct I received a letter saying they would not be paying so I sent a cheque for 2000 into the college to pay fees but they sent it back saying my fees had been paid in full so I rang the college and they said SUSI had paid my fees in full so I said again that I had received a rejection letter from them but they said that SUSI had now paid it so not to worry.

So that was back in October and I have now no savings to pay these fees as I had not planned to and the college are saying they know its their mistake but I still have to pay!

Should I get a solicitor involved? Or is there any point? I will not be able to pay now, I had planned on setting up a business after I had finished this college year, using this masters, and I will have to leave it now after wasting a full year of my life on it! I cannot believe this.

Thoie

Katie Kaboom wrote: »

Hi

I am currently 2 weeks away from finishing my 1 year masters and I received a letter from my college yesterday saying my fees are not being paid by SUSI.

When I started the masters I was unsure if my fees would be paid by SUSI, then in Oct I received a letter saying they would not be paying so I sent a cheque for 2000 into the college to pay fees but they sent it back saying my fees had been paid in full so I rang the college and they said SUSI had paid my fees in full so I said again that I had received a rejection letter from them but they said that SUSI had now paid it so not to worry.

So that was back in October and I have now no savings to pay these fees as I had not planned to and the college are saying they know its their mistake but I still have to pay!

Should I get a solicitor involved? Or is there any point? I will not be able to pay now, I had planned on setting up a business after I had finished this college year, using this masters, and I will have to leave it now after wasting a full year of my life on it! I cannot believe this.

Just tell them you're not in a position to pay the full amount now, and you'd like to come to an agreement about a payment schedule with them. If they say they don't do that, remind them gently that it was their mistake that led to the problem, and you're trying to resolve it amicably. Point out that with 2 weeks to go, this is a stressful time, so give you some time to come up with a reasonable payment schedule, and here's €50/€100 now as a show of good faith.

Are the fees €2000 or €4000? What kind of weekly/monthly payment can you afford right now (without going hungry/homeless, but by cutting back on luxuries)?

Katie Kaboom

The full fees are 4000, I will try and work something out with them it just comes at an incredibly bad time financially and I can't see a way out just at the minute but I'll try to work something out. Thanks.

Rasmus

Did you receive any documentation from them back at the start stating that your fees had been paid in full? Was this a clerical error?

Katie Kaboom

Rasmus wrote: »

Did you receive any documentation from them back at the start stating that your fees had been paid in full? Was this a clerical error?

No documentation other than a refund cheque, then I rang them to find out why they sent it out and they said SUSI had paid them in full, they now say this was an error on their part and I need to pay them now again.

hfallada

I wouldnt do anything on the phone as there is no paper trail. Email who ever you are dealing with to put it in writing and see what they do then as they might change their tone. I imagine you can drag paying it out for a few years. I wouldnt be in a hurry to get a loan

endacl

You do realize that as a student, you're a member of a union? Perhaps you could contact them.

Katie Kaboom

endacl wrote: »

You do realize that as a student, you're a member of a union? Perhaps you could contact them.

Ya I've been onto the SU and they are appalled and are getting on to the fees office for me, so we'll see.

endacl

Katie Kaboom wrote: »

Ya I've been onto the SU and they are appalled and are getting on to the fees office for me, so we'll see.

The fees office will have a record of everything at their end. As will SUSI.

Don't panic. Despite your username, nothing's actually gone 'Kaboom' yet!

Rasmus

It's their mistake, but do get them to acknowledge that in email/a letter. I wouldn't worry - I think you might end up paying it at some point but for now you are no obligation to do so in a timely manner. Make sure you have everything in writing.