Huge amount of tuition. Help needed.?

Question

Dear all,

I am a foreign high school student studying in America. I meet some trouble with my tuition, which is huge amount of money to my family. Here is my case.

I was accepted by a private school last year, but I didn't go there because my visa didn't work out. The school promised to keep a place for me until the end of 2008, and fortunately, I get my visa before the deadline. They asked me to pay full tuition before my arrival ( the beginning of 2009), and I did what they said without thinking. Later, I was not satisfied with the school and tried to transfer to another school. During this time, some administrators told me that If I am willing to stay there next year, they'll only charge me half tuition( use the half part of the tuition I didn't spend as credits to next year, and one of my friends did so in the same situation as mime).

I decided to leave the school finally, so can I get my half tuition back?

I did talk with the principal, but his answer is NO. The principal's explanation is "according to our rules"; but when I further asked him to show the rules to me, he had nothing to show. Lots of things happened make me feel they charged my full tuition illegally.

What can I do to ask for my tuition? Is there any law support their behavior?

Thank you,

Alan

Answer 1

When you paid the money they  had to give you a contract that spells out the conditions for refund.  If you don't have it ask them for a copy. Your rights depend on what it says but you may  have even more rights under consumer protection laws. You could talk to a lawyer about it at legal aid for free or a small amount of money but have all the papers with you when you do. You may have a case for small clams court.

Answer 2

Without knowing a lot about such legal matters, I do know that private schools can be very crooked. They may be taking advantage of you because you are foreign. Contact your police department nearby and ask to talk to someone there that may be able to help. The police are always there to help, and if they can't help you, they'll tell you who can.