Dear Mr. Ammons,

                My name is Sean Cook and I am a recent graduate of Florida A&M University. I graduated in May with a degree in Photography. I waited several weeks before I contacted the school about my diploma. I figured these things take some time. To my surprise I found that my department never submitted my name for graduation.

                I tried for several weeks to call the school and find someone who knew how to amend my situation. Most people I spoke to were no help at all. One person even told me they didn’t know what was wrong and didn’t know who could help me. Eventually I found Mr. Glenn in the registrar’s office, and he assisted me in actually graduating. I am now graduated on paper, but I have a financial aid hold on my diploma.

While I was at FAMU I had Florida Bright Futures and Florida Pre Paid scholarships. My Tuition was always covered, and I always got a refund of the money left over. In the process of trying to finalize my graduation I found that I owe the school $2,600 dollars. So again I start calling people at the school trying to figure out this balance, because to my knowledge I should not owe anything.

Again after several weeks of calling I was given many different reasons for my balance. I was told it was a Loan Exit survey that I never completed (although I never applied for a loan), It was a simple cashiering hold of $252 and I should ignore the $2600 balance, and one person told me I didn’t have any holds at all and they didn’t understand my problem. Regrettably I did not record all the names of the people I spoke to. All I know is they work in the Financial Aid and Registrar offices.

This past week I finally discovered the source of my balance owed. I spoke with Mrs. Bryant in Financial aid on 10/12 and she told me she would give my file to “someone” to review. Someone will call me back before the end of the next day. Two days later, after not receiving a call back, I called Mrs. Bryant to find the status of my Financial Aid. She informed me it was a Loan Exit Survey, but she lifted that hold. She informed me I had a Cashiering hold and I should contact Student Accounts.

After several attempts of contacting Student Accounts I reach someone who tells me my Bright Futures scholarship was removed from my last 2 semesters and that I owe the school $1,400. I then speak to Mrs. Williams in Financial Aid, Mrs. Whitley in Financial and, and then Mrs. Cotton in the business office. After a few hours of calls and holding, I find that I was ineligible for my Bright Futures scholarship because I have used all of my hours.  I was issued the Bright Futures Scholarship for fall ’08 and Spring ’09, but then it was reversed.

I understand that I now owe money and that’s ok. My problem is with the way I found out. In talking to someone in Financial Aid I was told rather curtly that my balance would be sent to collections in November if I did not start paying. I was highly offended because I had just found out that day that I even had a balance. Is it the policy of the school to not inform students of owed balances? Was I even going to be notified I was being sent to collections?

I have tried to contact Marcia Boyd in Financial Aid to explain my situation and set up a payment plan. She has not returned my call, and is out for the day today.  My wife and I have just bought a house, and are expecting our first child in a few months. I don’t have $2,600 dollars to pay a debt I didn’t plan for. I feel like FAMU has wronged me by mistakenly issuing a scholarship and then resending it, further wronging me by not notifying me of monies I owe.

Again, I accept that I owe the school money. I am just offended in the manner in which I found out, as well as the manner in which I was treated. I don’t think at a State University I should call for months, and speak to many people who are almost completely unhelpful. It seems very unprofessional. I know FAMU prides itself on it’s legacy, but to me, this legacy is tarnished.

I appreciate your time, and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Sean Cook