College Fees Liability

CsarJsee

Hi
Im not sure if this is the right place to post this query. Basically, I applied to return to studies in September 2009. I was offered a place at a College University after the clearing pool selection process, a week after the actual course date started. They offered me the Part Time Saturday Option 2009 - 2011. I was advised that I must, upon registration to pay 1/3 of the fees within reasonable time - pay online using RBS WorldPay CARD Transaction, which I duly complied, received the course materials and attended the lecture/tutorial. I was later asked to submit my academic qualifications as I was offered a 'conditional place' on the course. As I was on the Saturday course (working on weekdays) I passed my documents to the library staff which they assured will be passed to the Student Records department. Heard nothing back, assumed processed ok.
I then received letters and emails (some time March/April 2010)reminding me to submit my academic qualifications as I am still considered a 'temporary student'. I queried about this with the Student Records and they did not have any other documents from me since my registration - passport, student ID card. So i resubmitted my documents and after a couple of weeks I was told that I am not eligible to be on the course as I did not meet its minimum entry requirement (but the people at the open day said I would be accepted because of the length of time since I finished my degree, completed my masters postgraduate and work experience). I even consulted the course/programme leader who confirmed that should not be allowed to be on the course. This after I have paid two instalments of the course fees. I was advised to either have them formally reject me or I can formally request to be withdrawn from the course.
I wrote back to the Finance department explaining the situation and asked, in light of the situation can I claim refund (if any) to what I have paid since I was not eligible to be on the course. They replied that out of 'good will' they will write off the 2nd year fees but I am still liable for the remainder of the 1st year's fees. I replied reiterating that I have been told that i was not eligible to be on the course in the first place, that the College University should not have accepted me and my payments, I even stated that I was either prepared to return the course materials or even have them deducted and I should be entitled to some refund. I heard nothing since and last week I received a further letter from the College University demanding that I clear the course fees in full (ie year 1 & 2) or they will launch legal action against me.
I rang up the Finance Department and they said that I had received benefit from College University ie the course materials, lessons, facilities. I said that I was only there for 6 months and that the benefit as I saw it was the opportunity to be on the course, sit for the exams and get the qualification. The staff I spoke to said when I registered, it was my duty to ensure my qualifications were correct, I said to her that I was told to already make 1/3 payment of the fees after registration before my documents were requested. Had a bit of difficulty explaining to her so requested that enforcement collection action be suspended so that I can write in a chronology of events to be reviewed and investigated as i felt there was a serious breakdown in the administration.
How can it be that College University accepts a student to be on course, ask them to pay up front, then later says you're not eligible to be on the course, then demands that you pay fees in full, pay for what - not being eligible for the course??

Culex

Such are the ways of our seats of learning.

Hannah_10

This is, I fear, going to get technical. You will probably get a few guesses as to what you should do, but I think you should get proper, expert advice from a solicitor. I'm reading this thinking in order to answer I would like to know a lot more about contract law than I do. This is why the solicitor. You can take them to court for the recovery of th money you paid as easily as they can take you to court for not paying what they feel is owed, but as to if you have a chance, I am really not able to know.

AshRosetti

Hi

You should make a formal complaint. This doesn't sound right. Payment is DUE after the enrolment process and the staff should have checked your qualifications there and then. They've made mistakes and it sounds like you're paying for them.

Culex

AshRosetti wrote: »

You should make a formal complaint. This doesn't sound right. Payment is DUE after the enrolment process and the staff should have checked your qualifications there and then. They've made mistakes and it sounds like you're paying for them.

None of this sounds right.

What sort of course takes two years of part-time study, with attendance only on Saturdays and for which a degree and post-graduation Master's degree are somehow inadequate qualifications?

All we know about the institution involved is that it is "a College University", which leads me to wonder if the sometime student came from overseas.