Stuck in admissions process

[pacha007]

Hello everyone,

I applied for admission into the BABA PM & IS program a few weeks ago. When filling the application form, I mentioned that I attended college in the US 15 years ago, but I had to withdraw due to medical reasons and only finished 5 courses. I was then asked to provide the necessary documents, which I did including a high school transcript evaluation since I'm an international student, an English proficiency test and a Credly transcript showing more than 90 transferable credits gained from sophia and coursera. I was also asked to send an official transcript from the university I attended, but when I tried to do that, I discovered that I have a financial hold for an amount of money that is impossible for me to pay off anytime soon. I then emailed the admissions team at UMPI and told them about my situation, but they still insist that I provide that transcript even though I have provided all the other documents and a resume showing an extensive professional experience and now they won't even respond to my messages. I have also contacted Jessica Winslow who refered me to the director of yourpace admissions. He answered once repeating the same thing and no response from him again.
I am very worried since this is my last chance in getting a bachelor's degree soon that will allow me to start a master's program next fall. Please if anyone knows how I can resolve this situation, I'm all ears.

Thank you!

[RiverM]

There are some new rules regarding the release of transcripts with financial holds, see: https://www.forbes.com/sites/edwardconro...o-college/

If those rules do not apply to you, unfortunately you are very limited in options. You could always call the original college and ask if starting a payment plan will release the hold and/or ask for some of the outstanding debt to be forgiven.

[pacha007]

There are some new rules regarding the release of transcripts with financial holds, see: https://www.forbes.com/sites/edwardconro...o-college/

If those rules do not apply to you, unfortunately you are very limited in options. You could always call the original college and ask if starting a payment plan will release the hold and/or ask for some of the outstanding debt to be forgiven.

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, it seems that these exceptions don't apply to my situation. This is so frustrating. The deadline for submitting the documents is tomorrow and I won't be able to apply for the next term. Months of studying on sophia and coursera will go down the drain!

[turbotortuga]

There are some new rules regarding the release of transcripts with financial holds, see: https://www.forbes.com/sites/edwardconro...o-college/

If those rules do not apply to you, unfortunately you are very limited in options. You could always call the original college and ask if starting a payment plan will release the hold and/or ask for some of the outstanding debt to be forgiven.

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, it seems that these exceptions don't apply to my situation. This is so frustrating. The deadline for submitting the documents is tomorrow and I won't be able to apply for the next term. Months of studying on sophia and coursera will go down the drain!

Yea, like RiverM stated, if you owe money to the school, they can hold your transcripts ransom until that debt is paid. Your only recourse is to contact the university and try to work something out so they will release your transcipts. Once UMPI is aware that you have a college transcript out there somewhere for courses attempted, they MUST receive that transcript as that is a DoE requirement and Federal Law. You will not tbe able to matriculate into UMPI until that requirement is satisfied. If you can't work out anything with the previous university, you could try TESU or another school instead, but don't mention the other college this time.

[pacha007]

There are some new rules regarding the release of transcripts with financial holds, see: https://www.forbes.com/sites/edwardconro...o-college/

If those rules do not apply to you, unfortunately you are very limited in options. You could always call the original college and ask if starting a payment plan will release the hold and/or ask for some of the outstanding debt to be forgiven.

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, it seems that these exceptions don't apply to my situation. This is so frustrating. The deadline for submitting the documents is tomorrow and I won't be able to apply for the next term. Months of studying on sophia and coursera will go down the drain!

Yea, like RiverM stated, if you owe money to the school, they can hold your transcripts ransom until that debt is paid. Your only recourse is to contact the university and try to work something out so they will release your transcipts. Once UMPI is aware that you have a college transcript out there somewhere for courses attempted, they MUST receive that transcript as that is a DoE requirement and Federal Law. You will not tbe able to matriculate into UMPI until that requirement is satisfied. If you can't work out anything with the previous university, you could try TESU or another school instead, but don't mention the other college this time.

Thank you for your reply. I will look into TESU and TAMUC, but too bad I can't get admitted into UMPI.

[ss20ts]

UMPI is following the law. Nothing they can do about it. You'll find this same issue at other colleges.

[pacha007]

UMPI is following the law. Nothing they can do about it. You'll find this same issue at other colleges.

Yes I know they're following the law, but I also know that at least two other international students with similar situations were exempted from providing that transcript. That's why I am still trying.

[Hotdogman1]

UMPI is following the law. Nothing they can do about it. You'll find this same issue at other colleges.

Yes I know they're following the law, but I also know that at least two other international students with similar situations were exempted from providing that transcript. That's why I am still trying.

I don't think you can be exempt from providing that transcript. I also recommend trying to work something like a payment plan with the previous school.

[pacha007]

UMPI is following the law. Nothing they can do about it. You'll find this same issue at other colleges.

Yes I know they're following the law, but I also know that at least two other international students with similar situations were exempted from providing that transcript. That's why I am still trying.

I don't think you can be exempt from providing that transcript. I also recommend trying to work something like a payment plan with the previous school.

Yes I'll do that, thank you!

[ss20ts]

UMPI is following the law. Nothing they can do about it. You'll find this same issue at other colleges.

Yes I know they're following the law, but I also know that at least two other international students with similar situations were exempted from providing that transcript. That's why I am still trying.

The only way they were exempt is that they didn't tell UMPI about the transcript. UMPI does not waive transcript requirements. It's federal law and UMPI isn't breaking that for a student. The risk is totally not worth the reward in this case. Best thing you can do is pay off your debt or find a way to work with the college to get the transcript.