Can I go to a different college if I owe money to another school?

A reader writes:

"I'm looking into signing up for a class but if I owe money to a community college I went to, is there another way I can apply for another community college?"

If you currently owe money to one school, there are likely two important factors that may interfere with your plan to apply to another community college:

1. Most colleges require you to submit official transcripts with your application, but most schools will not issue you official transcripts if you owe them money (or have other holds on your account).
2. Owing money may impact your eligibility for financial aid at the new school, especially if the schools are connected in any way like being in the same district. 

Your best bet to figure out how this will effect you is to talk to both schools. You should contact the financial aid and/or Registrar or Bursar's offices at your current school to check if there are any holds on your account or even to work out a payment plan.

You should also touch base with the admissions and financial aid offices at the new school you're looking to apply to so that you understand their rules and policies on your situation as well.

Some school policies will allow you to apply and some won't, so go straight to the source. Good luck!

If you know of other resources for first-generation and low income college students, please share them with Ask An Advisor!