Navigating University Debt: My Journey to Secure My Diploma and Pursue a Pharmacy Career
Graduating from Northeastern University’s School of Pharmacy in 2021 was supposed to be a milestone achievement. However, without my diploma in hand, my journey has been fraught with challenges stemming from unforeseen financial hurdles.
During my final year, I was consumed by the demands of an 80-hour workweek, which made me overlook submitting the crucial FAFSA application. This oversight, as it turns out, had significant implications. Post-graduation, I discovered that my tuition had remained unpaid—something my parent usually managed—resulting in a financial hold on my student account and my diploma being withheld.
Promptly addressing the situation, I submitted the FAFSA. Although I qualified for a federal loan to cover the outstanding tuition, complications arose since the university rejected the loan, citing my status as no longer being a student. Consequently, I found myself facing a staggering $28,000 debt. My appeals to the university for financial assistance were unsuccessful, and soon after, the debt escalated to $38,000 after being handed over to a collections agency that added a substantial fee.
Presently, the diploma remains out of reach, with all inquiries redirected to the collections agency. This situation has severely limited my career prospects; without proof of my degree, I’ve been unable to secure a higher-paying position or take licensure exams critical for a pharmacy career, as these require verified credentials from the institution.
The ultimate goal remains clear: to receive my diploma and embark on my career as a pharmacist. I’m exploring all viable options to see this through. Any guidance from those who have navigated similar challenges, or who have insight into resolving university debt issues, would be immensely valuable as I work toward realizing my professional aspirations.
Edit: Confirmation of my graduation, required for pharmacy board exams, cannot be obtained due to the financial hold on my account.
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