Check out some similar questions!

Lovewaits3337 · Jun 20, 2011, 05:59 PM

3 years ago my husband was enrolled in a home-school program online called Ashworth. (He's 20 now, and was 17 then). He was only able to finish 60% however, because his mom stopped paying for the education. Now, the billing company is billing his mom 517 for his unpaid education, that he never got to finish (and can't). I'm wondering, is it possible to sue for the right to an education? They are greedy and refuse to pay off their own bill (since he was a minor at the time it's their bill) and because of this we are now going to have to pay 100's for him to get testing, G.E.D. tests (which are 40 each not to mention it's not just one test but several) and we just got married a month ago and have bills as it is. I know a stumbling block for most newly weds is financial hardship, but I never pictured it being because of this. I'm furious that his parents would pretty much tell him 'screw you, we don't want to pay it, you do it' and wouldn't even let him finish the thing (Even though the school record online shows they had more than enough to pay for it with how much they'd been paying and how much they spend now on video games, entertainment, and refurbishing their apartments). Any suggestions on what to do? They've given us every excuse in the book and have even resorted to lying... I'm at a loss.

ScottGem · Jun 20, 2011, 06:03 PM

The first question is WHY he didn't finish? The second question is why was he enrolled in such a program to begin with?

Usually home schooling is done in early years, not started when the child is close to graduation.

AK lawyer · Jun 20, 2011, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by Lovewaits3337

... my husband was enrolled in a home-school program ... mom stopped paying for the education. ...

We don't know why she quit paying. Perhaps she figured he wasn't applying himself and therefore was wasting her money. Why was he in the homeschool program, was he in public school before?

Fr_Chuck · Jun 20, 2011, 06:21 PM

No, his mom made a contract with them to pay for this education. She stopped paying, and broke that contract.
The school can and may sue her for the money.

They will not ( and should not) allow him to continue with education unless someone pays them. If he wants to finish the school, why does he not pay them his self

Fr_Chuck · Jun 20, 2011, 06:23 PM

It appears Ashworth College does their high school though James Madison High School, which they claim is accredited.
Assuming that is the truth, it would appear it would be worth paying and finishing the program.

Synnen · Jun 21, 2011, 07:55 AM

Ashworth COLLEGE is not accredited. If he was taking college level courses, it was a complete waste of time.

The high school portion is trickier. It's not on my known list of diploma mills, and it IS listed as accredited. However, high schools must be recognized by the STATE they are located in as being able to award a high school diploma, and I cannot find anything quickly and easily that says that they are so licensed.

However--I work for a private school. If he and/or his parents signed loans and a payment plan for his education, he and they are responsible for it, depending on how the paperwork is worded.

And the school can most DEFINITELY withhold transcripts until the bill is paid.

AK lawyer · Jun 21, 2011, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by Synnen

...
and the school can most DEFINITELY withhold transcripts until the bill is paid.

Of course. But I don't think that was the question. Whether the parents have to pay the school is none of the OP's business (or her husband's business either). The question asked, as I understand it, is whether the OP's parents-in-law have a legal duty to pay for a particular private education. Or they are obligated to reimburse him for remedial education after he has become an adult. I don't think they do.

Synnen · Jun 21, 2011, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by AK lawyer

Of course. But I don't think that was the question. Whether the parents have to pay the school is none of the OP's business (or her husband's business either). The question asked, as I understand it, is whether the OP's parents-in-law have a legal duty to pay for a particular private education. Or they are obligated to reimburse him for remedial education after he has become an adult. I don't think they do.

Agreed.

ballengerb1 · Jun 21, 2011, 08:28 AM

Your husband had a right to a free public education, not at a private institution. If you think you can sue his mom you are off base and it would be thrown out if it ever even got into court.

Lovewaits3337 · Jun 21, 2011, 04:28 PM

He was thrown back and forth between two different schools, and it was the suggestion of his parents to offer him a diploma through that online program. They threw the books at him and pretty much said 'do the work' without encouraging him whatsoever. Then, later on, they decided they didn't -want- to pay for it and cancled the program, telling him he wasn't doing good enough and so on. Problem is, I looked up his grades, he was passing everything he'd been taking. Also, they stopped paying for it months after he turned 19, and claim that after he was 18 they couldn't help pay any longer, when clearly they were. My question is, how do I confront them about it, and how do I make them pay for what they should be rightfully paying? The billing company doesn't care who pays as long as someone is... and it clearly isn't our bill, what do we do? His parents have the money and lie that they don't (even though I see them buy games, iPod, computer, etc). The billing company now has our address and number thanks to his parents. His parents have even threatened us by claiming the billing company can, and will, find out our information to further pursue us. Are they right? I'm so confused about what they are lying about and what is the truth, and what we should be doing to stop the creditors/billing company from further pursuing us. Thanks. (Also, this is in Washington state).

ScottGem · Jun 21, 2011, 04:46 PM

His parents are responsible for the debt, but if he wants to pay to finish the program, he may be able to assume the debt.

You might want to contact an local Adult Ed program, he may be entitled to go back to school.

Lovewaits3337 · Jun 21, 2011, 05:57 PM

Thanks =3 And I have been told by the people of the school, that if he wants to go back, we have to pay the remaining balance, and then another full tuition amount for him to start all over again... when he was 60% of the way through. What should we do about that?

ScottGem · Jun 21, 2011, 06:04 PM

Ask them why he can't apply what he has done? Explain to them that he has no obligation to pay them. So unless they want to sue his parents letting him finish is there best chance of collecting.

Lovewaits3337 · Jun 21, 2011, 06:06 PM

OH! That is perfect. Thank you =3 I love it. You rock =) God bless you!

Fr_Chuck · Jun 21, 2011, 06:09 PM

Also ask them for a copy of the contract, what he has to do, or what they can require will be explained there.

But compare it to the state college, you enroll for this semester and pay or borrow the money to go.
You drop out 1/2 way though, you still have to pay for the loan you took out, and they will not just let you come back next semester 1/2 way though, but you have to start over.

But the contract will explain what happens, But then if they want to get money, they may agree to some settlement.