University debt

[KDavids]

Hi,

Not sure if this is the best place to post this, but as I'm getting countless letters from bailiffs it seems to be the best bet.

I was enrolled on a masters course at a university from January last year. But halfway through the course I found myself in a situation where I was unable to pursue the qualification, which resulted in me abruptly dropping out of the course in August. I did not notify the university of my intentions (aside from my supervisor). As I had already paid up half the tuition fees out of my own pocket (around £1900), and had assumed I would be able to cut my losses and pay only for the equivalent amount of time I had spent enrolled.

Big mistake, letters from the university warning me my tenure were to be cancelled were soon followed by threats of legal action from a third party debt collection agency called controlaccount. I'm now getting letters sent to me giving notice of a "Civil Claim" being made against me, as well as a warning of the consequences of having a "Judgement" made against me.

I'm going to try and take it up with the university directly in writing, but what sort of time frame do I have before litigation and the onset of the bailiffs? Will they even deal with it at this stage?

Thanks in advance for any help,

JD

[Pinky69]

The initial threats are usually just to put pressure on you to pay up. I would write to the University without any further delay and explain the circumstances under which you had to leave in a hurry (they won't like the fact you did so without informing them but may be more compliant if it involves compassionate reasons). Ask them to consider waiving the fees under the circumstances and if that isn't possible negotiate a payment plan with them. I think you will find they passed it on to an agency because of lack of communication.