College officials tell of tangible effects caused by student debt.
Melissa Tinklepaugh
Issue date: 5/8/09 Section: News
As of April 10, 199 students owe at least $500 to SUNY Potsdam, which may have bigger effects than holds on their accounts.
The Office of Student Accounts will generate an updated report, on May 10, and those student accounts, with the exception of students who have made arrangements with the Office of Student Accounts, will be turned over to the attorney general for collections, Director of Student Accounts Susan Kirwan said.
Accounts turned over to the attorney general will affect the credit of those students, as the attorney general's office will act as a collection agency as required by SUNY and the State.
"We prefer [students] to pay us directly. We prefer not to do that." Kirwan said in regards to turning accounts over to the attorney general. "It's really important for the student in that situation to make contact with our office and talk with us about different options they have."
While other schools may drop class registrations of students with outstanding bills, SUNY Potsdam instead places holds that prevent course registration, housing assignments, meal plan registration and transcript access, among other services, for students who have not worked out their outstanding debts with Student Accounts, Kirwan said. Students whose accounts are turned over to the attorney general are then deregistered until they pay the attorney general.
Students who owe less than $500 are not put on the potential attorney general list but have holds placed on their accounts.
"I don't think a lot of students take the time to understand what's on their bill," Kirwan said. "That alone can help their debt, and understanding what they're taking in loans and the effect of what happens when you withdraw."
Kirwan advised students with debts to meet with financial aid counselors. Outside of financial aid options, SUNY Potsdam offers a semester payment plan that allows for three installments, and an academic year payment plan spreading costs over 10 months. Kirwan also recommended selecting the less expensive options in housing and meal plans, removing optional fees and looking for campus employment. She advocated strongly for students to take the time to understand the charges on their bills.
The Office of Student Accounts will generate an updated report, on May 10, and those student accounts, with the exception of students who have made arrangements with the Office of Student Accounts, will be turned over to the attorney general for collections, Director of Student Accounts Susan Kirwan said.
Accounts turned over to the attorney general will affect the credit of those students, as the attorney general's office will act as a collection agency as required by SUNY and the State.
"We prefer [students] to pay us directly. We prefer not to do that." Kirwan said in regards to turning accounts over to the attorney general. "It's really important for the student in that situation to make contact with our office and talk with us about different options they have."
While other schools may drop class registrations of students with outstanding bills, SUNY Potsdam instead places holds that prevent course registration, housing assignments, meal plan registration and transcript access, among other services, for students who have not worked out their outstanding debts with Student Accounts, Kirwan said. Students whose accounts are turned over to the attorney general are then deregistered until they pay the attorney general.
Students who owe less than $500 are not put on the potential attorney general list but have holds placed on their accounts.
"I don't think a lot of students take the time to understand what's on their bill," Kirwan said. "That alone can help their debt, and understanding what they're taking in loans and the effect of what happens when you withdraw."
Kirwan advised students with debts to meet with financial aid counselors. Outside of financial aid options, SUNY Potsdam offers a semester payment plan that allows for three installments, and an academic year payment plan spreading costs over 10 months. Kirwan also recommended selecting the less expensive options in housing and meal plans, removing optional fees and looking for campus employment. She advocated strongly for students to take the time to understand the charges on their bills.
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