Section 132A-122-021 - Withholding services for outstanding debtsUpon notification of an outstanding financial obligation to the enrollment services office or another authorized college department, an administrative hold will be placed on the student's records and/or access to registration. The extent of the hold will be recommended by the reporting department and, once approved by enrollment services in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, may include denial of access to:
Student files.
Registration.
Financial aid.
(1) Student notification of debts: Pursuant to SSHB 2513 (effective June 11, 2020) and consistent with SBCTC guidelines, students with debts to the college shall be notified of the following through either a secure portal or college email (the college may additionally notify the student through first-class mail): (a) The amount of debt owed.(b) What services will be denied.(c) Information on payment of the debt, including whom to contact to set up a payment plan.(d) Any consequences that will result from the nonpayment of the debt.(e) Right of appeal and how to request a hearing. The notification will further state that specified services will not be provided until the obligation is satisfied or arrangements have been made under terms and conditions, which are satisfactory to the college.
(2) Student's right to an informal hearing: The notification shall inform the individual of their right to an informal hearing before the president's designee for the purpose of challenging the validity of the debt. The notification shall inform the individual that any request for such a hearing must be made within 15 workdays from the sending of said notice and that the request for a hearing must state the individual's reasons for challenging the financial obligation.(3) Procedure for informal hearing: Upon receipt of a timely request for a hearing, president's designee shall hold an informal hearing with the student as soon as practicable to evaluate the validity of the outstanding debt. The designee shall ensure that the appropriate records and files of the institution are available for review at the time of the informal hearing. Within 10 workdays after the informal hearing, the designee shall determine whether the outstanding debt is owed to the college and provide the individual with written notification of the decision.(4) Formal hearing: Within 10 workdays of the designee's communication that the student's request was denied, in an informal hearing, the student may request a formal hearing. The formal hearing will include the president's designee, representatives of the office(s) reporting or maintaining record of debt, and the student. Detailed records documenting the debt shall be provided to all in attendance.(5) Withholding services: If the individual fails to request or participate in an informal hearing within 15 workdays of initial notification of the debt, or fails to request a formal hearing within 10 workdays after the decision of the president's designee to deny the student's appeal, or if both the informal and formal hearings uphold the validity of the debt, the college will continue to withhold services as indicated above.(6) Reporting: The business services office shall report annually to the state board for community and technical colleges, which will forward to the governor's office and legislature. The annual report shall include data related to:(a) The use of transcript holds (this should be zero due to debt).(b) Registration holds, number of student accounts denied registration privileges.(c) Student debt levels for financial obligations to the college.(d) Collection practices, including the number of student accounts referred to outside collection agencies and the dollar threshold for which a student account is referred to a collection agency.Wash. Admin. Code § 132A-122-021
Amended by WSR 23-16-048, Filed 7/25/2023, effective 8/25/2023Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.140 and chapter 28B.50 RCW. 99-15-072, § 132A-122-021, filed 7/20/99, effective 8/20/99.