[takaris]

In 1989 I applied to Montgomery College in Maryland to finish off some classes for my degree. I was poor, no money and no job. So I applied for financial aid and recieved a Pell Grant.

Well before the ink was dry and I had a chance to pick out any books the government withdrew the Pell Grant because they informed me my parents made too much money and was not qualified.

So the school counselors informed me to withdraw (which i did in time) and wait until my financial situation was resolved. (I never went back to that school) I withdrew during the allotted time as not to incur any charges.

Along comes 1996-1997 and the State collections agency comes after me. I request an investigation into the matter and tell them the old situation. (See above) I also contact the school, who tell me they have no records of my attendance, withdraw or registration...only that I own them money for something....$800.00.

The Maryland State Collection agency states to me in 1997 that the case was closed...and I went on with my life. (as fate may have it, i lost that letter)

Now in 2006 I get the same collections agency notice. I owe them $800.00 and they will take my taxes. I contact the school and they again say the only record they have is that I owed them money in 1996 as if i attended classes during that time because their records do not go back to 1989.

This is a direct debt to the school and not a student loan. Is there a SOL on this type of debt? This debt has never been on my credit report in all that time and ive only recieved two letters total from the Maryland state collections unit. Any advice on this matter would be great...thanks.

[Mr. Knowitall]

What documentation do you have relating to the loan, with which you can establish that it was not a student loan?

[takaris]

What documentation do you have relating to the loan, with which you can establish that it was not a student loan?

Thing is...it was not a loan...not any loan I signed for anyway. In 1989 I was awared a sum of money through Pell Grant to go to school. I think it was like 1,800 for the semester or something like that.

Before I had the chance to even begin to use a small amount of it...it was taken away from my because my parents made too much money. The advisors at the school suggested I should find other forms of financing (I never did.) and to withdraw until I could re-organize. (That I did.)

According to the collection papers it states that is an "Outstanding Debt from Montgomery College" and not a student loan or Federal loan. Should it state that on the collections form if it was a federal loan or any other type of loan?

I am almost positive that I owe the school directly. (Is that possible?)

[Mr. Knowitall]

Right. I read the original post. If you prefer: What documentation do you have relating to the debt, with which you can establish that it was not a student loan?

[takaris]

Right. I read the original post. If you prefer: What documentation do you have relating to the debt, with which you can establish that it was not a student loan?

The only thing I have from 20 years ago is a letter stating that my Pell Grant was withdrawn because of Income.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Try asserting the statute of limitations as having run, with the collection agency. You may wish to look at the discussion and sample letter in this thread.