Is this considered student loan debt??Court action threatened!

I attended a university in Iowa in 1983/84 when i WAS THERE I had a loan from the univeristy of $250 which they (collection agency) now claims I owe plus interest charges over the past seventeen years for a total of $672. I actually believe my father paid this debt on my behalf long ago but he is not around to ask (deceased)...I live now in the state of Ohio. This was not a student loan like a guaranteed student loan from the federal government but because it came from the university I am afraid there may be same restrictions involved like a guaranteed student loan. I would like to know what the statute of limitations are regarding this type of loan, even if it is some type of student loan, and what my options are in this case. Frankly I have no way of proving that it was paid by my father. What in the way of verification may I reasonably expect to receive from the collection agency handling this case? Also can this be placed on my credit report now after all these years? Any other advice you have I would appreciate. Please respond soon as I am now being threatened with court action. Thank you.