transcripts being held hostage

[clep3705]

I met a middle aged woman who wants to get a degree. She attended an expensive, private university in the past. Because she owes them a lot of money that she does not and will not realistically have, they will not release her transcript. Her plan is to take a lot of CLEP and DSST and apply to the Big Three. That's without mentioning the private university at all. She says it is worth the risk. Is there any way for her to find out what the National Student Clearinghouse has on file?

I pointed out the risks, but she feels like she has no choice. If she gets found out, she really won't be really any worse off.

[davewill]

As far as TESU goes, I don't believe they require every transcript be sent.

[Ideas]

The whole transcript system could really use improvement Yeah, she should find a school that doesn't require all.

[TenderMoni]

I'm in the same boat as this "middle aged" woman...not sure if you consider me middle aged (38, lol). I owe my private school $18k; they won't budge, no payment plan. Do you know how much she owes? I've been listening to a lot of Dave Ramsey recently and now the thought of being debt free doesn't sound so daunting. Here are the scenarios I am considering:

1. Start from scratch - same discipline (from what i've read, the Big 3 only care if you want to get credit for these courses, compared to, for instance, Harvard Extension who explicitly states you cannot owe money to any other university when you apply)

2. Using an unofficial transcript I have, fill in the credits I need to finish my degree (using the tips from this site) and save up 1/3 of what I owe the school - offer them this as a settlement with the contingency they consider my account settled in full and I can get my transcripts. Being that it's been almost 20 years, and they've gotten nothing, they may be ready to negotiate, but I would want to have at least half (as a cushion) to offer them.

3. Start from scratch - completely different discipline - leaning towards this as I was a communications/theatre major. I took a bunch of bullpoo courses and didn't get the best grades. I really desire a fresh education with skills I can use now. I will eventually pay my former school, but it could take more than 3-4 years to get to them.

Final advice - she should consider how many credits she has there, the amount she owes, her current income, the amount of debt she has and how long it would take her to pay it off. It may surprise her that she COULD be debt free in under 2 years (gross assumption); if this is a possibility, taking any remaining courses while she pays off the other school might be an option...this is of course assuming she has some idea of what she took there.

HTH

[sanantone]

As far as TESU goes, I don't believe they require every transcript be sent.

Yes, they do.


She could be worse off if she takes out student loans or spends money on courses just to be expelled or have her degree revoked. Colorado Tech and Central Texas let me enroll without one of my transcripts. They told me I needed to have it before I graduate.

You can see if her state has an academic fresh start program.

[davewill]

Yes, they do. ...

I sure couldn't find where they say that, but to be safe she should just ask.

[bjcheung77]

I'm in the same boat as this "middle aged" woman...not sure if you consider me middle aged (38, lol). I owe my private school $18k; they won't budge, no payment plan. Do you know how much she owes? I've been listening to a lot of Dave Ramsey recently and now the thought of being debt free doesn't sound so daunting. Here are the scenarios I am considering:

1. Start from scratch - same discipline (from what i've read, the Big 3 only care if you want to get credit for these courses, compared to, for instance, Harvard Extension who explicitly states you cannot owe money to any other university when you apply)

2. Using an unofficial transcript I have, fill in the credits I need to finish my degree (using the tips from this site) and save up 1/3 of what I owe the school - offer them this as a settlement with the contingency they consider my account settled in full and I can get my transcripts. Being that it's been almost 20 years, and they've gotten nothing, they may be ready to negotiate, but I would want to have at least half (as a cushion) to offer them.

3. Start from scratch - completely different discipline - leaning towards this as I was a communications/theatre major. I took a bunch of bullpoo courses and didn't get the best grades. I really desire a fresh education with skills I can use now. I will eventually pay my former school, but it could take more than 3-4 years to get to them.

Final advice - she should consider how many credits she has there, the amount she owes, her current income, the amount of debt she has and how long it would take her to pay it off. It may surprise her that she COULD be debt free in under 2 years (gross assumption); if this is a possibility, taking any remaining courses while she pays off the other school might be an option...this is of course assuming she has some idea of what she took there.

HTH

What's the name of the private school? Are they Nationally Accredited or Regionally Accredited? Are they in the National Clearinghouse?
If they are none of the above, they may just be state licensed, non accredited schools, their transcripts are not fully recognized...
That means your only option is to start from scratch, but you can get 90 credits really fast (within a few months) it's the final 30 that's slower!
Please provide more info on what you have studied and your major, what do you want to finish with (an Associates? BA/BS/BSBA?)

[TenderMoni]

What's the name of the private school? Are they Nationally Accredited or Regionally Accredited? Are they in the National Clearinghouse?
If they are none of the above, they may just be state licensed, non accredited schools, their transcripts are not fully recognized...
That means your only option is to start from scratch, but you can get 90 credits really fast (within a few months) it's the final 30 that's slower!
Please provide more info on what you have studied and your major, what do you want to finish with (an Associates? BA/BS/BSBA?)

Not sure about the OP, but my school is Rider University, which, interestingly enough, is located in NJ, minutes from TESU, where I am considering completing my degree. They are in the National Clearinghouse, they are accredited by Middle States and a few others; transcripts fully recognized. I was there on a full tuition scholarship for Theatre, but major was Mass Communications. What I want to finish with is where I'm stuck. Hindsight being 20/20, I would have pursued a bachelor's in Computer Science, Economics or Marketing...but at my ripe old age (38), I am now questioning my aptitude for the mathematics. The other factor is that I currently work in higher ed and getting a Master's would be free...it's what to get a bachelor's in that I've spent way too much time debating.

[cookderosa]

Yes, they do.


She could be worse off if she takes out student loans or spends money on courses just to be expelled or have her degree revoked. Colorado Tech and Central Texas let me enroll without one of my transcripts. They told me I needed to have it before I graduate.

You can see if her state has an academic fresh start program.

that's my advice as well- right now she's in debt without a degree but going on with life. She's considering committing fraud, so yeah, things can get worse.
Fresh start programs are usually through community colleges and will wash away your bad grades, not sure if they wash away debt, but it's for sure worth asking.

I'm all about finding loopholes, so if she can find one, go for it!! As for actually violating a policy, honor code, or law- I'm not a fan. In her shoes, I'd look aggressively for a workaround. If I couldn't find one, I would pay the debt or move forward without a degree. There are ZILLIONS of non-credit continuing education, certificate, diploma, professional, and CEU programs that she could do to build her resume ethically.

[cookderosa]

Years back a link to the clearinghouse was posted and I didn't see my earliest culinary degree on there. It's there now. So, it's also possible that schools that do not participate today will do so in the future.