You have contracted to pay them the whole sum for the course you have signed up for..
Stopping the bank debit will not in itself change that.
Things that can happen:
- They can discontinue your enrolment
(there may be cancellation fees or similar involved in that); and/or
- Lock you out of classes, computer access, library access etc until you pay; and/or
- Withhold your qualifications until you pay; and/or
- Take proceedings against you for an unpaid business debt.
Things you should do
- Don't panic
- Contact Open Colleges and explain your situation.
You will not be the first person this has happened to
- Start reading about VET Fee-Help and see if that is an option
Hi Tim,
Thanks for replying.
I've spoken to OpenColleges, they are very rude when discussing this topic. The best the lady on the phone could offer me was a 6 month suspension of payments. However they require quite a bit of information, bank records showing my current financial status etc.
I never actually signed anything, it seems a bit unscrupulous to lock me in to paying them over $4000 because I ticked a box on a website saying I agreed.
I have looked into VET Fee-help, unfortunately it's not available for my course. Diploma of Management.
I understand I would no longer be able to finish the course and I'm okay with that, I've already paid them over $1000 that I won't get back, I just can't afford to pay anymore but they won't let me go.
In their terms they state they may report my default to credit agencies, however they don't mention anything about debt collectors? If bad credit is the worse they will do I'd almost take my chances stopping the payments. I'm only 19, I can't see myself needing credit in the next 5 years. I hope.
Sorry for the disorganized questions, I have so many and no one to bounce them off except this forum.
Thanks a lot,
I really appreciate it.