The purpose of this policy is to establish clear understanding of the college's responses to outstanding student debt.

Current and former students are expected to meet their financial obligations to the college. To the extent otherwise permitted by law, in response to a student's failure to pay a debt owed to the college the college may:

(1) Initiate collection actions; or

(2) Make collections from funds received from or on behalf of a student; and/or

(3) Deny or withhold:

(a) Admission to the college; and

(b) Registration at the college; and

(c) The conferral of degrees or certificates; and

(d) The issuance of academic transcripts; and

(e) The provision of other services, including refunds.

(1) Where an outstanding debt is owed to the college, the college will notify the individual in writing of the amount of the outstanding debt. Contained within the notification will be further explanation that services may be withheld until that debt is satisfied, unless it is stayed or discharged in bankruptcy.

(2) When the college exercises its right to make collections from funds received from or on behalf of a student, the college shall notify the student of the amount applied and balance due, if any.

(3) These notices shall state that the individual has a right to appeal the decision to withhold services before a person designated by the president of the college if the individual believes that the debt is not owed or has been stayed or discharged in bankruptcy. The notice shall state that the appeal must be made in writing to the vice president for administrative services within twenty days from the date of the notice.

The appeal shall be conducted as a brief adjudicatory proceeding in accordance with RCW 34.05.482 through 34.05.494.

Nothing in this policy shall be construed as a limitation upon the college in pursuing any lawful means to collect a debt owed by a nonstudent.