Lost Tuition

[seekadvicenj1]

What is the name of your state? New Jersey

My fiancé was attending Columbia and unfortunately feel ill in Feb of 05. When she first became ill we were of course hopeful that she would get better and go back to work and school. Her master's program required her to attend classes in the summer and we had to pay $3000 for these classes in advance, which was around march. So we did, but she never did get better and is now on disability. So she never attended the classes, our intention was for her to go back to school and work when she got better, but after our recent trip and 2 week stay with a specialist, it looks like she is going to have to accept her illness as a condition. She called and explained this to her representative at Columbia, but they said that we could not get that money back.

I am hoping that I can get some advise on how we might be able to try and get this money back. Thanks.What is the name of your state?

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state? New Jersey

My fiancé was attending Columbia and unfortunately feel ill in Feb of 05. When she first became ill we were of course hopeful that she would get better and go back to work and school. Her master's program required her to attend classes in the summer and we had to pay $3000 for these classes in advance, which was around march. So we did, but she never did get better and is now on disability. So she never attended the classes, our intention was for her to go back to school and work when she got better, but after our recent trip and 2 week stay with a specialist, it looks like she is going to have to accept her illness as a condition. She called and explained this to her representative at Columbia, but they said that we could not get that money back.

I am hoping that I can get some advise on how we might be able to try and get this money back. Thanks.What is the name of your state?

What did the written contract say about your questions?

 

[seekadvicenj1]

that is a pretty general response. I would have to read over what ever she might have signed. I would imagine that Columbia has every possible scenario covered so they don’t have to pay us back, but still I feel like I am paying for services not rendered. Its like a donation without the write-off benefits.

 

[mb94]

The contract is the law here. Once you signed it you agreed to the terms, even if they seem unfair now. Hindsight is 20/20 afterall. Besides, the school had to go through a certain amount of administrative work even if she never went to a day of class. Shouldn't they be compensated for that? And what if that spot wasn't filled in time for class? Why should they lose 3,000 for a situation they had no control over?

There is nothing legally you can do. Take this as a leson in the future to read contracts before you sign them. And if you don't agree with the terms the time for debate is before signing, not after things go wrong.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Did she ever write them and ask for ADA accommodations or to withdraw from the class and take it at a different time? Is this a distance learning program or is that possible?

 

[seekadvicenj1]

Her condition prevents her from being able to continue. It is not possible for her to learn there or from a remote location. She did not ask to withdraw. At the time we assumed that she would get better. She had been in communication and we were advised that when she got better she would be able to retake the classes missed and get back into the program she had already started.

I am not saying that she should be reimbursed for classes taken, but refunded for classes that were never taken. It does not cost $3K for the admin to cash and post a check. The total was more like 10K for 2 semesters (the second semester she dropped out of early) then the 3K is for the summer which was prepaid and never attended.