Legal Question in Consumer Law in Massachusetts

Financial Aid payment - Private institution

My college (private college) required that we pay in advance for our summer classes. This means that, for those of us who are receiving financial aid for their entire summer tuition were forced to pay by credit card or other means (re: cash) upon registration, and will be ''reimbursed'' with our financial aid funds once they become available (not until 2nd week in June). Is this something they can require of their students?? I would have waited to register until my aid came in, however that would have meant I would most likely not have gotten into the right classes, and it would have delayed my graduation by a semester.

In the past, they simply sent us a bill for an average # of credits (usually 8) and once our financial aid comes in, we would either owe more, or receive a credit. Now, they are asking us to pay up-front, at the exact time of registering, for our summer classes?

Many of us were forced to put our tuition on our credit cards and by the end will have about 2.5 months of interest built up on it until we get our financial aid checks to pay it off. I just don't understand how they can force us to do this.

Thank you in advance.


Asked on 5/01/03, 10:32 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Nance Lyons Law Office of Nance Lyons

Re: Financial Aid payment - Private institution

The quick answer is I don't really know, but I think they can do whatever they want. The argument would be: you are an adult, they didn't force you to do anything, etc. Colleges are governed by several separate laws. YOu may want to contact the Board of Higher Education.

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Answered on 5/01/03, 12:36 pm


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