A Problem University of Florida

[TexasGuy]

ok i applied to the university of florida (chemical engineering) and got accepted. For domestic applicants the application fee is waived.

Ok I just received an email basically saying "we want to give you an offer but you have to pay the application fee first". I replied and stated that I am a domestic applicant. She then replied and said "Sorry we weren't aware that you are a domestic applicant. Can you pay the application fee anyway? we'll reimburse you in a few months"- those were not her exact words but something like that

I just think this is VERY odd, especially since i am not supposed to be paying a fee in the first place. I dont even know how to respond to her and I'm scared of saying something that would screw everything up.

basically- 1) I'm not supposed to be paying an application fee 2) I cant afford it right now......how do say this NICELY??

[margarets]

There must be somewhere on the university's website that says fees are waived for domestic applicants. Send the school an email with a link to that page, and ask for clarification.

You're right, it's VERY odd to request a fee and then reimburse it later. It just makes more paperwork for them, with no financial gain. Makes no sense.

[TexasGuy]

Yes she actually KNOWS that I am a domestic applicant now and she's very aware that the fee is waived for domestic applicants. She has admitted that there was a misunderstanding. But she's still asking me to pay up lol. it's just so odd. I asked if there is any other way this can be resolved and I am waiting for a reply.

[margarets]

But is any of this in writing? If you can get this odd request in writing, you can take it up the food chain and get the fee properly waived, per the policy.

[TexasGuy]

Yes. It's in written on their website. I just need to figure out who i need to contact.

Edited March 20, 2012 by TexasGuy

[TexasGuy]

she replied

Unfortunately the bottom line is the application fee has to be paid before we can admit you. I will go ahead and begin the process to have your fee paid, but it will be quite a while before we can make the offer to you because it takes so long for the fees to be paid going thru the channels at UF.

I am just shocked by all of this. I'm being asked to pay an application fee that I'm not supposed to be paying. I would love to go to this school but this is all so weird to me. There has to be someone i can call to get this sorted out.

Edited March 20, 2012 by TexasGuy

[coonskee]

Is there a friend or family member who cna loan you the amount of money for the application fee? That way, you can sign over the reimbursement check ot them when you get it, and you'll probably get the acceptance faster Good luck!

[margarets]

Yes. It's in written on their website. I just need to figure out who i need to contact.

What I meant was: is this person's request and response in writing? Because if something dodgy was going on, you could at least prove that you had received this unusual request when escalating it. Had it all been verbal, you'd be SOL.

It looks like it's a matter of reading the fine print, in this case.

[Hillary Emick]

Is this coming from a professor or someone in department administration?

[cafeaulaitgirl]

Can you contact someone in the department to discuss the oversight? It seems like an easy fix. Or send them that information from the website. It's in a PDF so it's easy to email.

And for what it is worth, and please correct me if I am mistaken, it looks like the application fee is $30. I am sure someone can spot you $30. I'd pay it just to be rid of the headache.