Unexpected, Unannounced and Overdue

Before coming to Howard, I made sure to check that my account balance was 0 so that I don’t have any unexpected expenses coming out of my pocket. Sure enough, my balance was 0.
I soon stopped looking at my account as I was before hand and during Freshmen week due to the fact that I had just started school and was busy trying to get all of my priorities regarding school straight. Me ignoring my account for 2 days was certainly a bad idea. On August 25, 2010, Howard said I owed $1162.58 due to my financial aid not covering my meal plan even though just a few days ago I was told my financial aid fully covered all my school expenses. The administration supposedly mailed out the notice a week prior (August 18) to the due date of the 25th of August. But since it arrived at my mother’s house on the 25th of August, it only gave my mother 2 days to come up with $1162. Because of other expenses, my mother worked out a deal with Howard to match what we paid. We ended up paying $581.25 on August 27, 2011.

3 months later I received an email from my mother saying, “Got a statement today saying that you still owed $581.25 on your account. I talked to Ms. Jacobs and she acted like she didn't remember the agreement we made. That was the half they were supposed to take off. Finally she remember, but said it wasn't paid until November. I told her no it wasn't it was paid on August 27. I talked to her on the date to let her know I paid it and you brought the receipt in the office. She was able to pull up the receipt and said she will get that over to Mr. Kendall to take off the balance, but she still doesn't remember you bringing the receipt to her office. She also said there was a $100 late charge on the account that she will take off because it was paid on time.”



What?



My situation is far from rare. I have heard of numerous cases in which Howard University mischarged, over charged, forgot to announce the individual they charged, or only given a day or two to pay off the amount they charged. There have also been cases where two different people working in the Administration building would give you two different balances for two different reasons.
It’s situations like this and others which lead me to believe that Howard’s Administration is not organized nor prepared to handle student finances with care. Too many times have mistakes caused students financially and/or emotionally. Howard needs to replace the slackers who are causing these problems with someone/people who care and will strive to help the students with their finances, not confuse them on the bases of their ignorance(s) and mishaps.

• Make sure that if I or any other student owes a balance, contact them at LEAST two weeks prior to via email, mail, phone or face to face.

• Make sure all information that the staff know/tell is ACCURATE

• Hire professionals who are KNOWLEDGEABLE about the charges and the reasons they were charged.