What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? IL
Hello. I have a complicated problem and am wondering if it constitutes a legal issue. I graduated from DeVry University in Addison, IL in Oct. 2008 with a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology. At that time, my tuition balance was $0. I was all paid up. I even had to meet with a financial adviser to verify this, as I otherwise would not receive my diploma. In the months that followed, strange things began happening with my account. In Nov. I suddenly had a $3000 credit, but in Dec. I supposedly owed $5000. I spoke to an account representative who could not figure this out and opened an investigation into the account, during which time my account was put on hold. Two years went by, and I never heard or received anything more from DeVry. I admit I should have be more diligent and followed up, but I was certain this was an error and would be corrected. I put it out of my mind and moved on with my life.
Earlier this, I started receiving bills again, this time in the amount of $3000. I spoke to the same person I spoke to two years prior and had essentially the same conversation. Another investigation was opened, but again, I did not receive any feedback. This time the billing did not stop. I emailed the same person inquiring about the situation. In return, she sent me my monetary transaction history. It had charges that did not correspond with my previous bills and even included charges for Summer 2009 tuition. I did not attend DeVry in 2009.
I responded that this monetary transaction history did not make any sense, and she directed me to the financial solution center. The gentleman I spoke to was actually more helpful in getting to the bottom of this. He did some calling around and got back to me the same day. Apparently, some courses I took in Summer 2008 were being counted as graduate courses, rather than undergraduate. Those courses were actually "bridge" courses that fulfilled the requirements to be eligible for the MSEE program. I received credit for them as electives towards my undergraduate degree, not a graduate degree, although I think the source of the confusion is that the courses were offered by the Devry graduate school. It seems I am being charged more for them because of this. Even if that is the case, it does not explain why the cost was still being determined months after I graduated and why my bills are so inconsistent. I was never told they would cost more and would not have taken them if I had known. Also, another student who took these exact same courses did not seem to have this problem. Granted, we did not compare bills, but still, he did not recall any such irregularities.
I suppose my questions are:
1) Is it even legal for a school to be assessing tuition charges after I have graduated, especially when my balance at graduation was $0?
2) I seem to have hit a dead end in disputing this with DeVry. Is there some other party I can bring the matter to? Is there a government agency or some sort of consumer advocate group that handles this sort of thing?
Thank you for taking the time to read all this. I appreciate and welcome any advice or insight regarding this matter.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
Hello. I have a complicated problem and am wondering if it constitutes a legal issue. I graduated from DeVry University in Addison, IL in Oct. 2008 with a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology. At that time, my tuition balance was $0. I was all paid up. I even had to meet with a financial adviser to verify this, as I otherwise would not receive my diploma. In the months that followed, strange things began happening with my account. In Nov. I suddenly had a $3000 credit, but in Dec. I supposedly owed $5000. I spoke to an account representative who could not figure this out and opened an investigation into the account, during which time my account was put on hold. Two years went by, and I never heard or received anything more from DeVry. I admit I should have be more diligent and followed up, but I was certain this was an error and would be corrected. I put it out of my mind and moved on with my life.
Earlier this, I started receiving bills again, this time in the amount of $3000. I spoke to the same person I spoke to two years prior and had essentially the same conversation. Another investigation was opened, but again, I did not receive any feedback. This time the billing did not stop. I emailed the same person inquiring about the situation. In return, she sent me my monetary transaction history. It had charges that did not correspond with my previous bills and even included charges for Summer 2009 tuition. I did not attend DeVry in 2009.
I responded that this monetary transaction history did not make any sense, and she directed me to the financial solution center. The gentleman I spoke to was actually more helpful in getting to the bottom of this. He did some calling around and got back to me the same day. Apparently, some courses I took in Summer 2008 were being counted as graduate courses, rather than undergraduate. Those courses were actually "bridge" courses that fulfilled the requirements to be eligible for the MSEE program. I received credit for them as electives towards my undergraduate degree, not a graduate degree, although I think the source of the confusion is that the courses were offered by the Devry graduate school. It seems I am being charged more for them because of this. Even if that is the case, it does not explain why the cost was still being determined months after I graduated and why my bills are so inconsistent. I was never told they would cost more and would not have taken them if I had known. Also, another student who took these exact same courses did not seem to have this problem. Granted, we did not compare bills, but still, he did not recall any such irregularities.
I suppose my questions are:
1) Is it even legal for a school to be assessing tuition charges after I have graduated, especially when my balance at graduation was $0?
2) I seem to have hit a dead end in disputing this with DeVry. Is there some other party I can bring the matter to? Is there a government agency or some sort of consumer advocate group that handles this sort of thing?
Thank you for taking the time to read all this. I appreciate and welcome any advice or insight regarding this matter.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
