7200 Student Financial Debts

Original Date: 10/11/1992 * Last Revision Effective: 3/12/2025
Policy Contact: Vice President, Student Affairs

Policy

Bellevue College Policy 7200 has been adopted as Chapter 132H-122 of the Washington Administrative Code. WAC update will be effective 5/20/2025. This policy outlines Bellevue College’s expectations for timely student debt payments and details procedures and student rights related to debt.

WAC 132H-122-010 Statement of policy

  1. Bellevue College expects students who owe a debt for tuition and fees, housing, financial aid, fines, and other fees to pay the amount they owe, or set up a payment plan, and to contact the college for additional information, if needed.
  2. Students have the right to ask for details related to the debt, and to appeal a debt.
  3. The finance office is responsible for the implementation of this policy.

WAC 132H-122-020 Student financial debt procedures

  1. The college may take the following actions for non-payment of outstanding student debt:
    1. Place a hold on a student’s account if they owe a debt for housing, financial aid, or tuition. A hold prevents enrollment for future quarters.
    2. Drop students for non-payment of tuition and fees in excess of $300.
    3. Refer past due debts that exceed $100 to a collection agency. Unpaid charges and balances become past due after the tuition payment deadlines of 30 days from the start of the quarter. The college will make no less than three attempts (two balance due notices and a final notice) to notify the student of the outstanding debt. Past due debts may be sent to a collections agency after 30 days have elapsed from the time the final notice was attempted.
  2. Prior to referral, students will receive notice via their Bellevue College email. The notice will include at a minimum the following information:
    1. The amount of the debt owed;
    2. The nature of the debt;
    3. Information on how to pay the debt;
    4. Contact information for the finance office and/or staff member who can provide more information, and/or set up a payment plan;
    5. The deadline for payment of the debt; and
    6. Any consequences that may result from non-payment of the debt.
  3. Reporting requirements: The college follows the state reporting rules related to the use of holds, debt levels, and collection practices.

WAC 132H-122-030 Debt dispute and appeal

Students may submit an appeal through the Enrollment Services website if they believe that an error has been made in the assessment of the debt, if they face undue hardship, or if other extenuating circumstances warrant reconsideration. Directions for appeal can be found on the Enrollment Services website. Appeals must be submitted within 180 calendar days from the end of the quarter where charges were incurred.

Relevant Laws and Other Resources

  • Second Substitute House Bill (SSHB) 2513
  • SBCTC Guidance for SSHB 2513
  • WAC 132-H-122
  • RCW 19.16 500

Revision History

Original 10/11/1992
Revisions 3/22/2005; 5/21/2009; 10/19/2015; 1/18/2023; 3/12/2025

Approved By

Board of Trustees

Last Updated March 19, 2025