My son was a student at Hillsborough Community College, Dale Mabry campus. I thought he made a…read moregood choice. Later, he decided to transfer to a different Florida University in October 2014. It is a non-traditional University, so they begin classes every month. Now my son did not do things according to protocol. Unknown to me, he did not withdraw from classes, and he accepted his Financial Aid refund from HCC. Not good at all, but he left HCC on a Saturday, and started class with the non-traditional University on that Monday. There was no down time in between ending at HCC and beginning with his new school and desired program. He felt good about his decision. I want to note that my son and I are not not from Florida, but rather Metro Atlanta area in Georgia. HCC will not release his Federal Aid. He HAD a balance at HCC which consisted of the refund check he accepted, and money towards paying for his classes from which he did not withdrawal when he left. I get that, he did everything wrong, and the Financial Aid must be returned. The balance owed to HCC was $3,468.00. In error, I paid $3,368.00 on April 30, 2015. Communication with people at HCC was on going to get this bill paid and my son's Financial Aid released. In his excitement to enter the program he truly wanted, he didn't know the consequences to follow. He was making decisions on his own, trying to be his own man. So, here I am for the clean up. I hold a receipt from HCC showing that $3,368.00 was paid with a balance of $100 on April 30, 2015. Likewise, the Financial Aid person at my son's new University knew the balance because they were trying to get the Federal Aid released from HCC on their end. It was my son's new University Financial Aid person who notified me that my son had the balance at HCC. All of this is occurring at the beginning of March 2015. So, Friday, May 29th, I go on line to pay the $100.00 balance. To my surprise there is now an additional balance of $1,030.00. The balance is itemized showing the $100.00 and next the $1030.00. The note to the side of the new balance is a code used within HCC - nothing I would understand. So, I pay the $100.00 balance, and figure I will call to gain understanding about the $1,030.00. I'm thinking its an error. So, Monday June 1, 2015 the call is made. HCC is telling me that on May 5th, they sent the balance of $100.00 to collections, and the collection agency can bill what they want. WHAT? So, If I am being billed by a collection agency, why is payment made directly to HCC? One female insisted I come Dale Mabry. I live in GA. No one can explain the additional $1,030.00. There are no extra fees or fines. I'm sorry, I missed that the only way to pay the account is through Hawknet/WebAdvisor. My son,18 years old, does not recall his user name or password. He should, but he doesn't. HCC would not accept the $3,368.00 via credit card over the phone. I understand fraud and risk. It's against HCC policy. At this point I'm frustrated. It took 3 weeks going back and forth between Student Services, the Bursar's Office, and the technology guy to get the user name and password. Again, this is March 2015 when we began the process. Late April 2015, we get the needed user name and password. On April 30, 2015, I paid 99% of the balance owed. I paid $3,368.00 which is my error. It's what I budgeted. I didn't have the other $100.00 until Friday, May 29, 2015. I get paid once a month (I am a school teacher & single parent). Without notice or reason there is now a balance of $1,030.00. This is robbery! A community college that tags on an erroneous fee. HCC Student Services has not answered my question, and actually does not seem to know what to say. They keep stating someone will call me in 24 to 48 hours. No one can explain the additional balance. How does any organization or company, tag on a fee of $1030.00. My son has not been at the school since October 2014. If the account was sent to collections, why is this additional balance paid directly to HCC? Foolishness! I requested the number to collections, none provided. I truly did have good thoughts about this institution. But now I see it as a crooked institution. Exploitation of those less assuming is the feeling. Some students who attend community colleges are there due to poor grades or low finances or both. To have someone pay a balance owed is a great thing. To sucker punch them and add an additional $1,030.00 is unacceptable. This is a crime. I'm sure it has been done to many others. If your intention is to attend and transfer be careful. My son was straight out of high school, 18 years old. He didn't know the protocol, and was trying to do something on his own. I came behind him to clean up his mess and pay his bill. HCC my perception went from high to YOU ARE CROOKS!!!!!
