Category: Cram Session
I am in a huge debt right now concerning college. I owe over $6000, and it's due next week. I've asked the comission for the blind here in our state to pay for it because they usually pay for college, but they didn't because the councelor said that I didn't contact her to make that payment, which I did numerous times. The commission has screwed me over, and right now, I don't feel like messing with them. What should I do in this situation? Should I just get a loan to pay this off, or should I ask them to give me an extension so that I could pay it off slowly? Can they even give an extension that'll last for years so that I could at least pay it off slowly?
I'd ask for the extension first, to see what they say. I doubt they'll give you one for that long of a term, but it can't hurt to ask. My guess is, that unfortunately you'll have to get a loan to pay that off. But even those don't come in overnight, generally. So, you might actually have to do a combination of both. Ask for an extension from your school while you wait for your loan money to come in.
And, as a side note, I would document every time you tried to contact, or actually talk to, your rehab counselor in the future. Sounds like you're dealing with some real jerks here, and in those cases, documenting everything so you have proof is often very helpful. I'm not sure if she uses email, but if she does, do it that way. Save each and every one of those emails, both sent and received. If it's a phone message, write down date and time, etc. Just my thoughts.
Good advice Alicia. The only thing I would add is to explain your situation to the school honestly and tell them you will need time. See what kind of deal you can work out to pay it back slowly and in installments that you can afford. Be sure to make them understand you do want to pay it back but that you need help in coming up with some payment options. If they want their money, they should be willing to work with you.
Thank you so much for the advice, guys.
I will be getting a big payback check from social security sometime, so if nothing works, I will try to get them to hold off until I get that back pay so I can pay most of it off that way. It's much better than getting a loan, but I may have to do that anyway, because thre's always the chance that the back pay check won't be enough.
Great advice. But here is the thing. The school will wait. They won't push you, so the extending is in the bag. Next you don't have to except the answer you received from your consel. She, or he has someone over, and she or he must tell you how to contact that source if you are not happy with a decission. You will be given a hearing, and if you have documentation, and if the state is paying for your college in the first place, then I'll bet this fee will be covered as well if it is an actual education cost. If these methods don't work, you might try the Lions Club in your city. They do all sorts of things, and I'll bet they'll pay this fee. Hold on to your money. Be patient and I am sure you'll be fine.
Um, Forereel, have you ever dealt with a place that wants their money? They may not wait very patiently, and yes, they will push. One of my friends recently owed his school about 1200 dollars, explained the situation to them to try and get an extension, and they were still threatening to take legal action, and to send it to collections. So, yes, the school may push him. I dont' say all that to scare you Michael, but I also am in favor of being realistic.
But depending on how much you want to fight with rehab, Forereel is right about one thing. You could go to the next person above your counselor, up the chain of command. Most states also have client assistance programs, to help resolve disputes between a client and the rehab agency. I've never heard of a Lions Club paying for education, and I really doubt they'd pay such a large amount, but maybe it just depends on your local Lions. So like if you couldn't get rehab to do it, or just don't feel like engaging in that fight, you could do it with a mix of your Social Security backpay and something else.