Hello everyone. First I would like to say that this is my most favorite place on the Web. I truly enjoy, when I come here, feeling surrounded by people with so much knowledge and education. Everyone seems nicer too, than when I first registered. I am writing now to request advice and assistance regarding enrolling in and completing a masters program. My situation is as follows: I am a staff sergeant in the army with 24 years service, 13 of which are active duty years. I have an Associates degree in General Studies; a BS degree in Human Resource Management; 12 graduate credits in Instructional Systems from Penn State; 6 graduate credits in Special Education from Wilmington College (Delaware); 6 graduate credits in Psychology from Capella University; and one year of law school (Widener). I recently enrolled Duquesne's MLLS program but I am not satisfied with that program because I have been unable to log in for most of this semester and because half of my books for the my two courses have not arrived. I have also been unable to contact an advisor to discuss my situation, and one of my professors has asked me to drop his course and pick it up next term. As such, my plans are to find a better program. My problem, however, is that my degree-granting undergraduate institution is now withholding my transcripts due to a substantial financial obligation (which is in dispute). So I don't know what to do. I cannot pay the money that they say is owed ($5000). I have done extensive research and have a few ideas but realizing that many brains are better than my one, I thought that I would ask the advice of the forum. The options that I have considered are: 1) Getting another Bachelors through Excelsior or the Board of Governors program that I read about at Lawrie Miller's website 2) Getting an MBA through Heriot Watt, as it is my understanding that an undergraduate degree is not required for this program. 3) Forget about getting another Bachelors degree and enroll in one of the California DL Law Schools. I know that options number two and three are almost as expensive as what my undergrad school allege is owed but the school is adding interest while I'm not paying. I really don't care what the Masters is in. My interests are so diversified that it really doesn't matter, although my major interests are Literature, Social Welfare, Business Management, and Political Science. I would just like to earn a Masters degree as quickly as possible and perhaps move on towards a Doctorate. Any advice/information/ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Sandra Dee
You're certainly in an unfortunate and complex situation. My advice for a first course of action would be to contact your undergrad school and solve the financial problem. I don't know the details of your situation, but my experience is that schools don't issue degrees until all financial obligations are met, so you might be able straighten things out in your favor. If all else fails and you actually do owe the money, I'm sure you can work out a payment plan that is agreeable to everyone involved. My father is a retired banker who started in the mortgage department, and he's told me many times that they would go to extraordinary lengths to work with people who were past due, as long as they showed a desire to pay something on a regular basis. Whether or not you owe the money, the school is not going to let it go unless you deal with it, one way or another. You can forget about financial aid or student loans (which you'll most likely need for a doctoral program) as long as your school maintains that you owe them money. Bruce
I had my records held hostage over an extortionate demand by Torquemada University (no, not its real name) for a far smaller amount of money. You are probably stuck with having to pay them, since it will be tough to gain admission to any reputable program without your transcripts. Bruce's suggestion has real merit, though--maybe you can cut a deal so they get something (better than nothing) and you get transcripts, etc., (also better than nothing). Here is a short -term strategy that may work somewhat. Get a sympathetic professor, advisor, department head, or similar person to write you a letter on university letterhead stating that you completed the degree with such and such a major on such and such a date. If they will agree to back this up with a telephone reference, have them include a number where they can be reached. Ask them to mention in the letter that there is a financial dispute with the university and that this is an interim documentation while the dispute, which does not affect your academic performance, is being resolved. This ain't perfect, but it may work enough to enable you to open conversations with your next school. At least it served that purpose for me.
It seems odd that a school would award its degree and then pursue monies owed. Normally, they would collect prior to awarding the degree. If so, however, I would suggest paying it. It is likely you will earn more than that $5,000 in your lifetime. Arrange a payment plan (assuming you're not contesting the debt) and pay it. If you contest it, it is likely you will not be able to afford the attorneys fees anyway (if you cannot afford to pay the debt). If you do not pay the debt, the school may submit it for collection, which will hamper your credit for years. There is no comparing between a Heriot-Watt MBA and a California DL law school. Which you opt for would be based upon your eventual goals. But why would (or how could) you be able to pay for tuition, books, fees, and the like at a new school while not being able to settle an old debt. First things first.
You're certainly in an unfortunate and complex situation. My advice for a first course of action would be to contact your undergrad school and solve the financial problem. I don't know the details of your situation, but my experience is that schools don't issue degrees until all financial obligations are met, so you might be able straighten things out in your favor. If all else fails and you actually do owe the money, I'm sure you can work out a payment plan that is agreeable to everyone involved. My father is a retired banker who started in the mortgage department, and he's told me many times that they would go to extraordinary lengths to work with people who were past due, as long as they showed a desire to pay something on a regular basis. Whether or not you owe the money, the school is not going to let it go unless you deal with it, one way or another. You can forget about financial aid or student loans (which you'll most likely need for a doctoral program) as long as your school maintains that you owe them money. Bruce _______________ Thank you Bruce. Actually I have had to contact the school about this and it was quite some time before I got an answer back. I learned about the debt after requesting my transcripts recently. Apparently the school returned a loan check (to the government) for some classes that I had dropped and then charged the amount of the loan to me. I am told that I did not submit the proper withdrawal forms. One of the reasons I was surprised is because I have received student loans since attending this school. I have received transcripts as well, which is how I was able to enroll in and complete the other graduate courses. Your advice regarding this matter is greatly appreciated and again, I thank you.
Thanks uncle janko wrote: I had my records held hostage over an extortionate demand by Torquemada University (no, not its real name) for a far smaller amount of money. You are probably stuck with having to pay them, since it will be tough to gain admission to any reputable program without your transcripts. Bruce's suggestion has real merit, though--maybe you can cut a deal so they get something (better than nothing) and you get transcripts, etc., (also better than nothing). Here is a short -term strategy that may work somewhat. Get a sympathetic professor, advisor, department head, or similar person to write you a letter on university letterhead stating that you completed the degree with such and such a major on such and such a date. If they will agree to back this up with a telephone reference, have them include a number where they can be reached. Ask them to mention in the letter that there is a financial dispute with the university and that this is an interim documentation while the dispute, which does not affect your academic performance, is being resolved. This ain't perfect, but it may work enough to enable you to open conversations with your next school. At least it served that purpose for me. ____________________ Uncle Janko, the short-term strategy that you suggest sounds like an excellent idea! I am so happy to hear that someone else has had a similar experience. Thank you so much.
I'm a little confused. You were admitted into four different graduate programs: Penn State, Wilmington, Capella, and Widener. I would have assumed that each of those would have required an undergraduate transcript. If that is the case (and, I would then deduce that your unpaid loan issue arose after those four graduate admissions), there could be hope in another direction. Transcripts are a little like audit trails. The official, usable ones are never supposed to be in the possession of the student, but go from one school to another. If Penn State, Wilmington, Capella and/or Widener received your undergraduate transcripts, it is possible that they could and would pass them along to your next school directly (i.e., not through your hands) and that would be sufficient.
This is, indeed, an excellent idea. Why not simply write a letter to the registrar at Widener requesting that =all= of your records be forwarded to your next school? You would not have been admitted to Widener Law without, at least, a bachelor's degree and I can't imagine where they wouldn't be in possession of your official transcript.
What a brilliant concept, Oom Janko! We already have degrees by examination, degrees by portfolio, so why not degrees by Inquisition! Students will appear before a tribunal of inquisitors. Failure will mean death by fire. No more of this kinder, gentler mollycoddling that has infested higher education in the last few decades. Wonderful!
Thank you Dr. Bear and Homer. You are absolutely correct and I will implement your suggestions immediately. Then, if the money is indeed owed, I can continue with my studies while working out a payment plan. I am very grateful for the existence of this forum. Best Regards,
