University withholding transcript

[udi]

Usually they respond a lot nicer when a lawyer does this on your behalf, but i'm guessing you probably don't have the money to throw around on a lawyer.

There are likely places the OP could get free legal aid though. I think this would be a great way to go! Maybe contact the local United Way to find out about free legal resources. As an alternative, find out it the closest law school offers free legal aid.

Messaging the OP directly. I actually know some resources.

Not legal advice:

How many credits do you have to transfer? Remember the one-month degree? Consider screwing the debt and testing out to rack up the credits. Saylor courses are free + $25 proctor fee. This may be the path of least resistance.

If there's something you really need, consider seeking out free legal aid in your state who may at least point you in the right direction. If you agree to a lesser amount with the collections agency, make sure it's in writing and the documentation includes some language about finality and no future charges.

Ask first what they will accept if you negotiate. Then, offer less. They will work with you because they get paid based on how much they collect in some cases. Also note that as soon as you make a 'promise to pay', you may restart the clock on the negative credit reporting.

You might get a better deal by working with an intermediary and paying a fee if they are familiar with the process or have contacts in the industry. Consider a credit counselor, perhaps?

OP won't be able to just replace the credits and move on without getting a transcript, as almost any school will require transcripts from all previous schools before granting a degree.

University of the People doesn't. I wonder if you could get an exception from TESU if you don't apply for financial aid?

[SweetSecret]

Also, on the bankruptcy issue, if the OP has government student loans - my understanding is bankruptcy does not clear those.

[jamshid666]

But, if you don't tell the new school that you attended the previous one, how would they know to look for that transcript?  I've gone to lots of schools, and when I applied to WGU, I totally forgot about one of the schools that I attended for a semester and nothing negative happened because of it.  They also let me start without getting a transcript from one of the schools, because it wouldn't have made a difference on the transfer since I already had similar credits for electives from other sources.  I've found that the "require all transcripts" rule isn't always 100%, there are ways around it.

On a personal note, I should find that template that one of the users on this forum made for an unofficial master transcript so I can actually keep track of all of the schools I've attended and I don't forget something the next time I have to send all of my transcripts somewhere.

[Merlin]

But, if you don't tell the new school that you attended the previous one, how would they know to look for that transcript?  I've gone to lots of schools, and when I applied to WGU, I totally forgot about one of the schools that I attended for a semester and nothing negative happened because of it.  They also let me start without getting a transcript from one of the schools, because it wouldn't have made a difference on the transfer since I already had similar credits for electives from other sources.  I've found that the "require all transcripts" rule isn't always 100%, there are ways around it.

On a personal note, I should find that template that one of the users on this forum made for an unofficial master transcript so I can actually keep track of all of the schools I've attended and I don't forget something the next time I have to send all of my transcripts somewhere.

Pretty much every legitimate U.S. college or university supplies academic records to the National Student Clearinghouse. Schools and employers can check there to see where you've attended in the past. If you have earned credits somewhere and still have unsettled debt, your school will find out during the degree audit, even if you don't report it directly. Not every school does a credit verification during the degree audit but most of the good ones will. I know at least one person who's graduation was held up until they paid back a debt to an old community college.

Either way, it's never a good idea to default on a debt with a university or college since you may want to go back to school in the future. It will catch up with you eventually. It's always best to arrange a payment plan and/or try to negotiate a lower payoff amount to settle the account.

[dfrecore]

But, if you don't tell the new school that you attended the previous one, how would they know to look for that transcript?  I've gone to lots of schools, and when I applied to WGU, I totally forgot about one of the schools that I attended for a semester and nothing negative happened because of it.  They also let me start without getting a transcript from one of the schools, because it wouldn't have made a difference on the transfer since I already had similar credits for electives from other sources.  I've found that the "require all transcripts" rule isn't always 100%, there are ways around it.

On a personal note, I should find that template that one of the users on this forum made for an unofficial master transcript so I can actually keep track of all of the schools I've attended and I don't forget something the next time I have to send all of my transcripts somewhere.

WGU may not have checked before they let you begin your degree program, but that doesn't mean they won't check before they let you graduate and issue your transcripts.

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Also, if it's a federally backed student loan (rather than a private student loan), you probably can't negotiate a lower payback. They are guaranteed to be paid back the full amount, so there's no incentive for them to let you pay less. Also, the federal government will eventually come after you, and they have unlimited power to take your money (take a tax refund, levy your bank accounts, or garnish your paychecks).

[quigongene]

WGU may not have checked before they let you begin your degree program, but that doesn't mean they won't check before they let you graduate and issue your transcripts.

I forgot to send WGU an old transcript from 1991 (which was basically 2 Fs b/c I didn't withdraw from the classes), and they told me I had to send the transcript to them. They do check the clearinghouse during enrollment.

[dfrecore]

WGU may not have checked before they let you begin your degree program, but that doesn't mean they won't check before they let you graduate and issue your transcripts.

I forgot to send WGU an old transcript from 1991 (which was basically 2 Fs b/c I didn't withdraw from the classes), and they told me I had to send the transcript to them.  They do check the clearinghouse during enrollment.

The person in post #13 said they didn't check his during enrollment.

[videogamesrock]

Get a personal loan and negotiate the debt down with the collection agency. Lendingclub is pretty good at debt consolidation loans. You’re looking at $224 a month with a high interest rate.

[davewill]

But, if you don't tell the new school that you attended the previous one, how would they know to look for that transcript?  I've gone to lots of schools, and when I applied to WGU, I totally forgot about one of the schools that I attended for a semester and nothing negative happened because of it.  They also let me start without getting a transcript from one of the schools, because it wouldn't have made a difference on the transfer since I already had similar credits for electives from other sources.  I've found that the "require all transcripts" rule isn't always 100%, there are ways around it.

On a personal note, I should find that template that one of the users on this forum made for an unofficial master transcript so I can actually keep track of all of the schools I've attended and I don't forget something the next time I have to send all of my transcripts somewhere.

Even if they cut you slack on admission, you will almost assuredly have to cough it up before you graduate. I remember several students had their registration frozen in the GT OMSCS over missing transcripts, and I think some of them had been attending for a couple of semesters before the hammer got dropped.

[sanantone]

Filing bankruptcy over $6,000 in debt is extreme. That'll ruin your credit for years. Certain types of employers do credit checks. I've had credit checks done on me for law enforcement, tax enforcement, and even a substance abuse counselor internship. It was probably because the place distributed methadone, and they didn't want someone in a desperate financial situation or with a history of poor judgment.

When students owe money to a school, it's often because the school was required to send financial aid back. This usually happens when you fail or drop classes after the drop date. So, the government already got the money you weren't entitled to, but the school had to come out of pocket for it and wants that money back.

WGU is one of the strictest schools I've come across. If they somehow find out that you omitted the school, then they will require that transcript. WGU went through my TESU transcript line by line and demanded everything. You can request to exclude a transcript, but I'm not sure what their policy is on approving exclusion requests. I only asked to exclude transcripts from CLEP, DSST, and a school where I wasn't a degree-seeking student.

There are schools that will let you enroll without all of your transcripts, but they will require them before you graduate. This might be considered bad debt advice, but you can use your financial aid refunds to pay down the $6,000. That's a better option than filing for bankruptcy. If you're receiving a grant at a cheap school, such as a community college, you wouldn't incur any debt when they send you a check for excess aid.

I wouldn't risk lying by omission on your applications. Some people get away with it, but others have been kicked out or had their degrees revoked. Imagine doing all of that work just to have your degree taken away. If you ever received financial aid at a school and you try to get financial aid at another school, the new school can find out where you previously attended. Reporting to the National Student Clearinghouse is voluntary, but almost every regionally accredited school does.