College Debt

autronica

Hi,
My daughter attended a college last year for about two months.

She had applied to SUSI for a grant and we had to go through a lot of "requests for more information" which dragged the process out till November before she was denied a grant. (SUSI used the previous years earnings as which were PAYE as opposed to the current year which were self employed and a lot less).

As soon as she was informed that the grant was denied she handed her ID in and left the college explaining that she was not able to afford the fees.

Now she is getting debt collectors letters and emails for €1500. (which she kept secret from us and eventually explained that this is the reason she is so down lately).

Neither see nor us can afford to pay this fee, but feel if it was taken to court a judge would look favourably on her and she would get a small repayment plan.

Any ideas on how to proceed?

Kings Inns or bust

You can't seek legal advice here, contact mabs or a similar organisation, they will be able to give you some good advice.

While she may get a repayment plan you'll have court fees and, potentially, a hard time getting a mortgage down the line.

livedadream

autronica wrote: »

Now she is getting debt collectors letters and emails for €1500. .

whats the debt for?

as long as you drop out before Christmas most colleges refund or dont chase up fee's.

is it the college fee's
accommodation?

ED E

Did she officially withdraw (in writing) or just leave?

Fees for S1 usually lock in in the first few weeks and the deadline for S2 should be sometime in November. Sounds like S1 is due.

L1011

livedadream wrote: »

whats the debt for?

as long as you drop out before Christmas most colleges refund or dont chase up fee's.

is it the college fee's
accommodation?

Its more normal to have to pay partial registration fees if you stay on more than a very short time - the 'before Christmas' thing is when you are deemed to have done first year under the free fees scheme. If you pass that date, which I can't find very quickly, you need to pay the tuition fees for first year in a different course.

Its also the date after which spare rooms in student rentals become an awful lot cheaper...

...And Justice

Free education <<mod; comment deleted>>.

livedadream

1500 is a hell of a lot for just s1

autronica

Hi All
Just to confirm it was the period September - November, as soon as SUSI was declined, she returned her Id to the admissions office and explained the situation. The university passed the file on to a debt collection company

Now she is being threatened with legal action in the High court by solicitors, at 19 years old.

It turns out that the solicitor that is working on behalf of the debt collectors is the leader of Fianna Fail in the Seanad.

We are/were a large family of FF supporters, but a little disillusioned now.

endacl

autronica wrote: »

We are/were a large family of FF supporters, but a little disillusioned now.

Off topic.....

Only now?!?

livedadream

Something doesn't add up with all due respect colleges see this all the time...
People starting and SUSI vtos beta being refused. Seems strange that they would send debt collectors after her for a months worth when they can back fill the place. Still seems like an awful lot of money for college though. My masters was two years and ten grand my hdip was 4 grand and 18 months and my BA 4 years and no where need 1500 for a year . I'd query it. With both your daughter and the college. Ps the solicitor acting for the debt collectors is earning a crust like everyone else... Him being a member of a politicos party he nothing to do with your situation.

Guy:Incognito

autronica wrote: »

It turns out that the solicitor that is working on behalf of the debt collectors is the leader of Fianna Fail in the Seanad.

We are/were a large family of FF supporters, but a little disillusioned now.

Why would that make a difference? Should he not do his job because you are FF supporters?

nuac

Mod
Sorry to hear how this girl is being treated, but as the College has appointed a solicitor she should do the same
No point in discussing it here
Do see a solicitor
closing thread

Squall Leonhart

autronica wrote:

<<Mod = off topic remark deleted>>