Had to leave school midsemester for medical reasons, no tuition reimbursed

[jh664322]

I was enrolled at a prominent private university in the north east. I took out a private school loan and transferred this money over to the school to pay for my tuition for 1 semester. This amount was about $20,000. The school had specific dates after which any reimbursement would be less than full. So for example, after September 1st you would get half back, after October 1st you would get a quarter back, etc.

Well I did indeed leave after these advertised dates. However, I did not leave out of my own volition, but rather it was a need for my survival. I became severely ill, life threateningly ill, and was admitted to a hospital. I could not go back to school, and continued treatment required that I go out of the state where my school was to receive care. Therefore, I could not finish the semester.

I had exceptional marks at the time, but due to incomplete work, I received absolutely no credits for these course. I have subsequently completed two semesters at another school, which covered topic areas that I had partially completed at the first school.

I have asked my first school if I could get some or all of the tuition back for that semester several times in fully detailed emails that clearly identified the severity and urgency of the situation to them. I also spoke with them by phone. I requested to speak to directors and people higher up, but was relegated to secretaries and assistants who gave me the run around.

I also contacted the ACLU to see if they could help, but they pointed me in another direction.

I do not understand how they can keep all of that money if someone is disabled as I was. I did not simply walk off campus and not return because I got tired of the school, I could not complete the semester.

Is this worth pursuing legally, and do I have recourse?

 

[irish223]

I was enrolled at a prominent private university in the north east. I took out a private school loan and transferred this money over to the school to pay for my tuition for 1 semester. This amount was about $20,000. The school had specific dates after which any reimbursement would be less than full. So for example, after September 1st you would get half back, after October 1st you would get a quarter back, etc.

Well I did indeed leave after these advertised dates. However, I did not leave out of my own volition, but rather it was a need for my survival. I became severely ill, life threateningly ill, and was admitted to a hospital. I could not go back to school, and continued treatment required that I go out of the state where my school was to receive care. Therefore, I could not finish the semester.

I had exceptional marks at the time, but due to incomplete work, I received absolutely no credits for these course. I have subsequently completed two semesters at another school, which covered topic areas that I had partially completed at the first school.

I have asked my first school if I could get some or all of the tuition back for that semester several times in fully detailed emails that clearly identified the severity and urgency of the situation to them. I also spoke with them by phone. I requested to speak to directors and people higher up, but was relegated to secretaries and assistants who gave me the run around.

I also contacted the ACLU to see if they could help, but they pointed me in another direction.

I do not understand how they can keep all of that money if someone is disabled as I was. I did not simply walk off campus and not return because I got tired of the school, I could not complete the semester.

Is this worth pursuing legally, and do I have recourse?

You probably could have asked your instructors to give you an "incomplete" with the understanding that you would complete the balance of the work when you recovered.

I don't know if the university would consider refunding your tuition under any circumstances; however, sending an email would certainly not persuade them. Perhaps if you sent them a letter from your doctor with your diagnosis, bills/receipts from the hospital, etc. you might get more of a response from them. Or, you could at least call and ask if they would reconsider if provided with documentation.

 

[jh664322]

This is a thought, and thank you I will consider sending them information about my past medical history. The only thing about that is, however, that this information is private and I would want to know exactly who would be seeing it. And of course, not specifically stating what this history was would be advantageous.

More to the point, I was interested in knowing if there were legal avenues to recover lost funds that do not have anything to do with appealing to their good nature, so to speak.

 

[irish223]

I don't believe so. You agreed to their terms when you enrolled. Also, I believe most universities offer student insurance that will cover the cost of tuition in the event of illness. I doubt that you have any recourse beyond their good nature. Sorry