The brilliance that is my college
 

I just started taking classes this summer at a nearby college (which shall remain nameless). I participated in Americorps a year ago, and have an education allowance through the Corporation for National and Community Service. After registering for classes, I filled out my part of the paperwork for CNCS, and turned it in to my college so that they could send it in and get paid (CNCS pays directly to the college, I physically see no part of the money).

I received a letter on 6/5 from CNCS saying that they had paid my college.

Today I received a letter (dated the 17th) stating "...that due to a technical problem, your summer tuition and fees were not paid by your approved financial aid or scholarship funds. Within the next 7 to 10 days, you should receive a check which will represent your award amount. Please use these funds... to pay your remaining institutional charges. ... I am also advising the business office at this time to expect payment from you within the next two weeks..."

WTF????? :eek:

So I call the college business office. They give me the number for financial aid, but say that everything is okay, that I don't need to call financial aid, everything is taken care of. Not believing them, I call CNCS. They have no clue what the college's letter means, they paid the college on the 4th.

So I call financial aid. I tell the woman what my letter says, and what CNCS told me. I said, "So you were paid, but now you are going to write me a check, just to have me turn it back into you?" "Oh, no"... then she says just a minute, and comes back on the phone.

"We received the payment from CNCS, but we have to write you a check, and you use that money to pay for your tuition."

Again, WTF???? :eek:

And this is the place that I am going to to receive a higher education...

Re: The brilliance that is my college
 

Maybe the folks in the office didn't go to that school?

Re: The brilliance that is my college
 

actually, thats really similiar how it works for my law school tuition: the federal goverment loans (Stafford, etc) are automatically applied towards tuition, but any private loan I receive goes to the school first, then I need to sign for the check, cash the check.

Oh. but here's the kicker: my tuition is due like A MONTH BEFORE I GET THAT CHECK. So basically I have to pay a few thousand out of pocket every semester before I am allowed to get my private loan. Then I get the check to "pay myself back." Its ridiculous. Thank goodness the school takes credit cards (and I have a high enough limit!)

If the business office says they have been paid in full and CNCS says they have paid you could see the check as some extra spending money ;)