This isnt really a loan question, but seems appropriate for the forum.

I have an outstanding debt for a summer semester. Last summer, actually.

Long story short.. I took to long on filing fafsa, so my scholarship didnt cover it. Anyway, since then money has been pretty tight and i've been pushing that to the side for awhile.

I got mail a week or two ago from a collector. It was sent to collections. They called me 2 nights ago and I told them I dont deal with collection agencys and I'll go over to the school and pay them this week when I get paid. (its not much, just 1 class+ some books) The guy said (frustrated) ok, and he noted the acct. I got a call from the school and they said I cant do that and it is out of their hands.

I dont believe this, because I had a library book I didnt return on time that they sent to collections for my first year. I went and paid for it the day the collector called me and then called the collector the next day asking about the acct and they said it was all paid up and done with. This was true AND I only paid the 6.00 and not the 70 something after the collector added their fees. Hah! Oh, also.. It was the same collection agency.

What are my options here? I'm not paying the collector any fees, and honestly, dont trust giving them money even if they were going to wave them which I doubt would happen. Should I just do like last time, go into the school, pay it and see where it goes?

and yes, I'm an idiot for procrastinating on returning the book on time.. but seriously.. did not see that happening. who sends 6.00 in late fees on a book borrow to collections? Bottom line I should have a) returned it on time or paid the late fees when I did return it.. but I still think thats awful. lol

You do not have any options. The school is under contract to pay the CA collection fees for all monies paid. The school will forward your payment to the CA or send them a pay direct. Collection costs are paid first, then the balance. You are under contract with the school to pay your student account on time or pay the cost of collections.

Also...you will be unable to register or get your transcript while you have a collection balance. Your account will be frozen.

then what happened last time? i didnt pay collection costs.

The library is a seperate entity to the Bursar's Office at your school. At the Univ. I work for I am the In House Collections on the Fed Perkins Loans and the Bursar Accounts from people who leave and didn't finish paying. Once an account gets sent to an outside agency, we are no longer able to discuss the account with the student, we refer them to the outside agency. I am sure there is a hold placed on your account and as Lynn said, no registration and no transcripts.

Yes, there is a hold. But I'm done so I don't need to register or anything.

I was going to pay it next check anyway now that I'm back on my feet. I guess I'm stuck paying collection costs.

Thanks you both for responding.