FTCC holding transcript for erroneous charges.

[Blckwntr]

This is in North Carolina but she relocated to Washington State.

This question is for a friend of mine. She attended a high school diploma program through her high school and local community college. She got her diploma through the community college ( FTCC ) and they offered her a free college course after getting her diploma. She had to drop out due to medical reasons. This was in 2010. She needs to get a transcript sent because she wants to take courses at another college in Washington State. They are refusing to send them to her because they state she owes them tuition for not completing the course she was given ( that they offered her free of charge ) when she dropped out She mentioned FERPA law when trying to get her transcripts, and I believe they continued to refuse to send her them. What can be done to fix this? It's heartbreaking seeing her stress out because of thier error. She feels completely helpless.

 

[stealth2]

How much does she owe, after 7 years?

 

[Blckwntr]

How much does she owe, after 7 years?

I believe around 700 dollars or so that they are claiming she's owes. Although I'm not positive about that. According to thier policy in 2010 I believe you had to pay for courses in full to even be considered registered for a class. She never took a single class because of severe heart related health issues and dropped out either before they started or soon after. Even if she hypothetically did owe them doesn't she have a right to see proof of what they are charging her for including course registration, tution payment/ what is owed ( which should have been waived ), and the fine print, considering the circumstances. If anything they should at least be able to explain why she owes tution, due to x,y,z if she violated any conditions of having it waived, making it void. It's redicious.

 

[Blckwntr]

Double post

 

[Taxing Matters]

What can be done to fix this? It's heartbreaking seeing her stress out because of thier error. She feels completely helpless.

FERPA requires that the college make the records available for the the student to inspect. If the student is unable due to distance or other factors to come to the school to inspect the records, the institution may be required to provide a copy to the student. Note that the copy provided does NOT have to be an “official transcript” with the registrar’s seal on it. If she needs that then FERPA won’t help her.

I suggest that she start off contacting the North Carolina State Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education to see what help they can provide. Perhaps one of those agencies can get the college to provide the transcript (though, again, it might not be an official one that she gets).

 

[adjusterjack]

Even if she hypothetically did owe them doesn't she have a right to see proof of what they are charging her for including course registration, tution payment/ what is owed ( which should have been waived ), and the fine print, considering the circumstances. If anything they should at least be able to explain why she owes tution, due to x,y,z if she violated any conditions of having it waived, making it void.

All that information was available to her THEN. If she didn't get it, or got it and didn't read it, that's on her.

 

[Zigner]

I'd bet that completion of the course was one of the requirements.

 

[stealth2]

I'd bet that completion of the course was one of the requirements.

I was thinking the same - or formal withdrawal within a specified time frame.

OP... We generally prefer to have the person whose issue it is seek their own help. For one, she will likely have facts which you may not be aware of. Additionally, taking charge of her own situation should help her feel less helpless.