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School denies official transcrip to student

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john souza

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New York
We versus Iona College of New Rochelle, N.Y.
After my daughter attended Iona College for two years we could no longer keep up with the soaring tuition rates, although she had some grants. Due to an unexpected illness that prevented me from working for a while and the costs of medical treatment and surgery I needed, as self employed without insurance coverage, although reluctant to file for bankruptcy I am literally there. We owe Iona College about $1,700.00 in past due tuition. However, after contacting almost everybody at Iona, that we thought could help us, we were finally able to work a payment deal, which they were firmly reluctant to accept at first. We were sent a payment agreement to sign, but upon examination of the "fine print" we were stunned to find out that one of their requirements in that agreement was that they would not release my daughter’s final official transcript until payment agreement was satisfied in full. Which means that my daughter can not have her credits from Iona validated, although she has been accepted to another school, costing literally half of the tuition compared to Iona's – all her grants would cover for all tuition costs for the new school. Until she brings her official transcript in to the new school she is not able to have her classes already taken at Iona considered. Because of that she will have to take all the courses again.
The question is: is it legal for Iona College to take such action? Denying my daughter her official transcript, which I understand is a personal private document, belonging to her alone.
By both parties, my daughter and the school, mutually agreeing on a payment plan I think we are no longer in default with that school, as long as we keep with the scheduled payments, which is for 12 months. Are her civil rights being violated here? She is literally being prevented from attending school for the next 12 months. What rights do we have and what actions could we take? We will be deeply grateful for your must needed input. Thank you.
 
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Humusluvr

Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New York
We versus Iona College of New Rochelle, N.Y.
After my daughter attended Iona College for two years we could no longer keep up with the soaring tuition rates, although she had some grants. Due to an unexpected illness that prevented me from working for a while and the costs of medical treatment and surgery I needed, as self employed without insurance coverage, although reluctant to file for bankruptcy I am literally there. We owe Iona College about $1,700.00 in past due tuition. However, after contacting almost everybody at Iona, that we thought could help us, we were finally able to work a payment deal, which they were firmly reluctant to accept at first. We were sent a payment agreement to sign, but upon examination of the "fine print" we were stunned to find out that one of their requirements in that agreement was that they would not release my daughter’s final official transcript until payment agreement was satisfied in full. Which means that my daughter can not have her credits from Iona validated, although she has been accepted to another school, costing literally half of the tuition compared to Iona's – all her grants would cover for all tuition costs for the new school. Until she brings her official transcript in to the new school she is not able to have her classes already taken at Iona considered. Because of that she will have to take all the courses again.
The question is: is it legal for Iona College to take such action? Denying my daughter her official transcript, which I understand is a personal private document, belonging to her alone.
By both parties, my daughter and the school, mutually agreeing on a payment plan I think we are no longer in default with that school, as long as we keep with the scheduled payments, which is for 12 months. Are her civil rights being violated here? She is literally being prevented from attending school for the next 12 months. What rights do we have and what actions could we take? We will be deeply grateful for your must needed input. Thank you.
What would stop you from agreeing to make payments, getting the transcipts released to the new college, and then stop paying AGAIN. The school is correct in demanding payment before release.

Almost all schools do this, down to the library fine or parking ticket. They want paid, or you don't get your grades.

Why don't you put the final payment on a credit card or take out a small loan. Then she can get her grades.
 

CourtClerk

Senior Member
EVERY college and/or university that I know of has a similar policy. They do not release any transcripts, any diplomas until all financial obligations are cleared. Period. Is it illegal? Not in the least. Do you have a case? Not in the least.
 

j991

Member
"The question is: is it legal for Iona College to take such action? Denying my daughter her official transcript, which I understand is a personal private document, belonging to her alone."

You have that exactly backwards. The transcripts belongs to the college as a record of who attends and what grades that they are able to achieve. As the student you are granted access to that record for transfers, etc. Because the record belongs to the school, they can set forth whatever criteria they want to in providing that record.
 

Ozark_Sophist

Senior Member
courtclerk, I wouldn't make that kind of declarative statement. Especially when you are WRONG.

Does the school receive any federal funds?
 

CourtClerk

Senior Member
courtclerk, I wouldn't make that kind of declarative statement. Especially when you are WRONG.
I actually CAN make such a declarative statement, however, I wonder how you know what schools I know of... since my statement was EVERY school I know of**************

Care to tell me how you know what schools I am speaking of since you know so much?
 

TheGeekess

Keeper of the Kraken
I actually CAN make such a declarative statement, however, I wonder how you know what schools I know of... since my statement was EVERY school I know of**************

Care to tell me how you know what schools I am speaking of since you know so much?
I'm with you, CC. Every school of higher education I know of has the same requirement; if you owe them money, they keep the transcript until the debt is satisfied. :cool:
 

CourtClerk

Senior Member
I'm with you, CC. Every school of higher education I know of has the same requirement; if you owe them money, they keep the transcript until the debt is satisfied. :cool:
You may not want to agree with me or make such a declarative statement, Geekess. After all, Ozark may come and say you are WRONG too. However, I still don't know of a school that will release transcripts as long as there is money owed.
 

Humusluvr

Senior Member
You may not want to agree with me or make such a declarative statement, Geekess. After all, Ozark may come and say you are WRONG too. However, I still don't know of a school that will release transcripts as long as there is money owed.
Me too. And I've been to/attended/applied to/worked at a LOT of schools.

And I don't see what federal funding would have to do with this AT ALL. The HIGH SCHOOL I worked at would not give you your DIPLOMA if you owed a library fine, or owed for a lost book.

My suggestion is still take out a loan, pay the school, get the transcripts. Or start over anew.
 

Ozark_Sophist

Senior Member
I actually CAN make such a declarative statement, however, I wonder how you know what schools I know of... since my statement was EVERY school I know of**************

Care to tell me how you know what schools I am speaking of since you know so much?
WRONG again. I wasn't challenging your knowledge of the two schools you know of. It was this part of your answer that is wrong.

Is it illegal? Not in the least. Do you have a case? Not in the least.
 

CourtClerk

Senior Member
WRONG again. I wasn't challenging your knowledge of the two schools you know of. It was this part of your answer that is wrong.
The two schools... funny. Such a darn, bitter comedian you are.

And as Humus has said... explain. Enlighten us all. My sister would be interested in your answer.
 

CourtClerk

Senior Member
And I don't see what federal funding would have to do with this AT ALL. The HIGH SCHOOL I worked at would not give you your DIPLOMA if you owed a library fine, or owed for a lost book.
Shoot... I know ELEMENTARY schools that have the same policy. In fact, I think the High School I went to did also and since it was a public school, I'm sure they receive federal funding. However, careful, Ozark will tell you you're wrong.
 

Humusluvr

Senior Member
Shoot... I know ELEMENTARY schools that have the same policy. In fact, I think the High School I went to did also and since it was a public school, I'm sure they receive federal funding. However, careful, Ozark will tell you you're wrong.
I know, that's why I asked. If there is some loophole that allows you to get your transcripts without paying your bills, I'm sure there would be a lot of takers. I, however - think that a person should pay BEFORE they play. IMHO. Ozark - not being snarky, just curious. Por favor, info?
 

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