Expert: Michael Wall Date: 2/19/2008 Subject: Thrown out
Question My son is an Honor student at an Independent Selective school In NYC. He is a senior due to graduate in May 2008. My wife and I fell behind in a payment to the school. We made payment arrangements and prior to default and we cam up short this months payment. the school head master escorted our son out of the school and told him that he can not come back until his parents pay. during this time the same Head Master of the school hung up the phone on my wife. this man was irate and very unprofessional. The financial manager stated that we still have to pay even though our son is not in attendance and they will not give transcript until balance is paid.
Please help!
Answer Mr. Sampson,
First let me say that I am so sorry to hear about your troubles at this school. I don't know the people involved, and there is always two sides to a story, but I'll make some suggestions as I can.
1) As independent schools are by there nature private, keep in mind that beneath the educational mission, there is an expectation of a business arrangement. We have to understand the school's perspective in their desire to keep afloat. That said, the behavior you describe is to me unacceptable. While I wasn't on the phone, and I don't know the text and tone your wife used, if the head of school hung up on your wife, there has been a serious breakdown in communication. That is where we must concentrate.
2) I do not know the specifics of the contract you signed when your son enrolled, but the areas of money owed and services promised seems fairly clear. If you are paying as you go, and the semester or month of learning passed with no payment, they would have a right to be concerned at a minimum, and to follow their policies of non-payment as a last resort. It seems at first blush that you might qualify for emergency financial aid. Do they have financial aid at this school? Have you spoken to the financial aid officer? I was surprised at the inclusion of the head in talking financial matters; may I assume that you have already spoken (or started with) the CFO of the school (the financial manager) about payment options? Have you offered full financial disclosure and a payment plan which would allow your son to finish? The IRS takes offers in compromise- perhaps the right person at the school would allow the same.
3) I do not know your financial situation, but it would seem to me that a loan for the amount of remaining tuition couldn't be too large, and would allow you a much longer time to pay the money, albeit with interest.
I assume that your son has been at the school for the full four years. I would suggest making the relationship and the education your points of appeal, and being as open and accommodating about money as you can be. Understand the needs of the school, and know that you are working to get through a few months. Best of luck!
