I am a nursing student at USC and at the end of my second year my school basically told me that they made a "mistake" and I should have been charged out of state. Imagine my confusion, shock and outrage. I have lived in SC since I was 14. Their answer? My parents had moved a month before school started. Everyone my parents talked to during orientation and so forth were informed of their moving but no one bothered to tell us this. I am now almost $34,000 in debt. To be payed by graduation or I don't graduate. I can only receive so many loans per year and I'm scared to death that I will not have enough money right now to even continue school. I still have 2 years to go.
Does ANYONE have any advice? An organization or person that will donate? I have already spoke to my school's residency office, financial aid, assistant dean, student services, a lawyer and have even sent letters to my state senator and legislator. Not many listened and less even tried to help.
2007-06-22 01:25:53 · 9 answers · asked by kat 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Financial Aid
Residency follows the parent for a dependent student. Generally speaking, if when you applied, your parents were residents of SC and you received in-state tuition, then even though your parents moved, you should be eligible for in-state tuition.
If I were you, I would start with the Registrar's office. If you cannot get the issue resolved, go to the school ombudsman (you can find out who that is in the Office of Student Life). If you cannot get any relief there, go to the President.
Good luck.
2007-06-22 07:48:08 · answer #1 · answered by Jdub 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you reside on campus or at home? If on campus you were a resident and should get in state tuition. For that amount of money I would definitely get a lawyer since you probably signed contracts for the amount of tuition you were originally charged and they are now trying to modify the contract or breach it. Also is residency determined by application date, or start date in school etc. this could be a factor since many may move after they have been in school for years? Then what happens? If you parents moved it doesn't mean you moved and tuition is your debt not them they didn't apply or go to that school. I'd get a lawyer.
2007-06-28 05:15:48 · answer #2 · answered by gallilea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is horrible, I have a similar situation, and the only way I came close to resolving it has been a lawyer. I would suggest getting one who will be with you all the way on this, not just someone to get advice now and then. Also, how old are you? If you are old enough, your parents would not be your legal guardian anymore. Shouldn't that constitute you as a SC resident on your own? Like I said, get a lawyer. One who may specialize in education... Trust me when I heard how "messed up" my situation was from a lawyer's perspective, it shed some light!
2007-06-22 02:46:04 · answer #3 · answered by silly 123 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are old enough then you are your own household, not a member of your parents' household. Where are you registered to vote? What state does your driver's license show?
Who says you lived with your parents when they moved? You obviously made plans to attend USC, filled out application(s) and such. Even after your parents moved, you maintained your SC residency by attending school. Your residency should be clear!
That being said, the financial aide department is most probably brain dead. I had problems with both of the medical schools I interviewed with. One wanted my father's tax returns even though I had been on my own for more then ten years. The other wanted "proof" that I had a small daughter and that I was supporting her.
I told the first school what I thought of their policy and the second school quit harassing me when I asked exactly what proof there was required. Did the registrar have proof that they had a child? Did they have proof that it was actually themselves who were supporting their supposed child?
Good luck!!!!
2007-06-22 02:56:55 · answer #4 · answered by John 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get an attorney! Your parents had been paying taxes for years to that went to the university. You really are bieng done over! Keep trying! I do not believe they can come back and get you. I am terribly sorry this happened to you.
2007-06-26 16:43:14 · answer #5 · answered by TAT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact a lawyer. See if there's a legal aid office, they give free legal advice.
2007-06-22 02:21:06 · answer #6 · answered by angela 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont hassle approximately it your all nerves top now, i understand. your excited. write down you locker combination and placed it on your backpack. get to college early and choose the place your training are. whether you probably did do something like that, who cares? anybody is going to embaress themselves at one element. all the different midsection schoolers are feeling the comparable way. you're actually not on my own. and do you relatively think of all of us could snicker at you the completed year merely reason you forgot your locker combination on the 1st day? i think of not. merely cool down and you'd be super =]
2016-09-28 07:08:14 · answer #7 · answered by pantano 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a lawyer. that is horrible. go to the newspaper and embarrass them like they have you. good luck to you
2007-06-27 03:55:41 · answer #8 · answered by Camryn's mom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THIS SH ITS COMPLICATED
2007-06-22 01:30:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋