Student Fees, debt letter

ScarlettTiger

My daughter has received a letter from Pannone Corporate, on behalf of the university, about student fees my daughter seemingly owes. They have asked for the money back. She has been given a deadline of when to pay or provide financial details. They have also said in the letter they can commence court proceedings forthwith. The letter is sent in accordance with the Pre-action protocol for debt claims, contained in the Civil Rules 1998. 

What is the best next steps for her, 
Thank you 

Keep_pedalling

You say supposedly, does she actually have outstanding student loans? Did she go to this university?

LightFlare

Keep_pedalling said:

You say supposedly, does she actually have outstanding student loans? Did she go to this university?

Agree - next steps if she owes the money is to pay it back.

They may be willing/able to accept a payment plan but it depends on what’s it’s for

ScarlettTiger

She did go, and I didn’t say supposedly,  I’m asking what is the best steps to take, not for judgement. I think there was confusion on her part when she enrolled, part of a bigger story, so she didn’t know this had to be paid, as she was previously getting the student finance. 

fatbelly

If this was genuinely sent under the preaction protocol (introduced in 2017) then it would include a standard reply form and give 30 days

https://debtcamel.co.uk/letter-before-claim-ccj/

You would tick boxes C and I and ask for proof.

You say that the University (through their collector) have asked for money back. But actually it is for unpaid fees, isn't it? Did she attend a course? Who was supposed to pay? Did she sign a contract? How old was she when she signed?

ScarlettTiger

It’s for unpaid fees, as she was not told at the time she had to pay for that year, she attempted the course, but then had to leave after a few months because they told her she had to pay the whole year, which we didn’t have that money for. She doesn’t think she signed a contract, she would have been 21/22 at the time. 

fatbelly

Ok. Did they send that reply form?

Ask for a copy of the contract in Box I

And how long ago was this?

ScarlettTiger

I’ve got box C that says if you’re not sure you owe the debt and you need a debt advisor. Box d says s she doesn’t owe the debt

it was 2 years ago 

ScarlettTiger

Sorry found box J asking for more information. 

fatbelly

You can tick box d but debt camel says box c is the safe choice.

She was 21/22 at the time. How old now? Trying to work out how near stat barred.

ScarlettTiger

She will be 24 next month. So to tick box c.