Consumer Fraud I'm being extorted by a reputable university

ufofvincent

New Member
Jurisdiction
California
Greetings,

I am new to this forum and am unsure if my case pertains to consumer fraud. I apologize in advance. However, I do need help on a particular issue and will be thankful for it.
I am a junior in high school. Early around March, I found a pre-college summer program from UC Berkeley and was unaware of its large tuition. I applied and was accepted.
Then after learning that its tuition was so high, my parents decided that I could not go. However, at that point, UC Berkeley says that I passed a "deadline" beyond which all applicants must pay the tuition even if they cannot attend. I contacted them and they said that I could appeal. My appeal failed, however. In other words, I must pay around 10,000$ dollars to UC Berkeley even if I cannot attend their program. Obviously, my parents cannot accept this.
My question is, is it legal for a university to demand payment from a student in such a manner? Is legal help viable in this type of situation?
Thank you!
 
My question is, is it legal for a university to demand payment from a student in such a manner?

The answer is the standard one, "it depends" on many things.

Are you a minor (under the age of 18 for starters)?

if you were at the time the alleged transaction was completed, the transaction is "voidable" by the minor.

GENERALLY speaking, with some exceptions, a contract made by a minor is voidable.

The minor, in other words, may avoid the legal liability under such a contract.

Upon reaching the age of majority, a minor may affirm or ratify the contract and therefore make it contractually binding on him. (Which would be very stupid in my view!)



Is legal help viable in this type of situation?


Again, that depends, were you a minor or an adult at the time the contract was completed?

I suggest you do NOW, what you FAILED to do back then, INVOLVE your parents.
 
The answer is the standard one, "it depends" on many things.

Are you a minor (under the age of 18 for starters)?

if you were at the time the alleged transaction was completed, the transaction is "voidable" by the minor.

GENERALLY speaking, with some exceptions, a contract made by a minor is voidable.

The minor, in other words, may avoid the legal liability under such a contract.

Upon reaching the age of majority, a minor may affirm or ratify the contract and therefore make it contractually binding on him. (Which would be very stupid in my view!)






Again, that depends, were you a minor or an adult at the time the contract was completed?

I suggest you do NOW, what you FAILED to do back then, INVOLVE your parents.

Yes, I am a minor. I've already talked with my parents and they are seeking legal help.
 
Were they required to participate in the application process by way of giving approval for you?
If not, then as was said above, your contract with them is voidable. Since they are seeking legal help, it is best to let them handle it.
 
Were they required to participate in the application process by way of giving approval for you?
If not, then as was said above, your contract with them is voidable. Since they are seeking legal help, it is best to let them handle it.

Unfortunately yes, since they had to sign some forms during the application process.
 
was unaware of its large tuition.

Let me walk you through this.

Here is the Home Page of the pre-college summer programs:

Welcome | PreCollege Programs

When you click either button that says Read More you come to the following page:

Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Commuter Program | PreCollege Programs

As you scroll down the page you come to the Pre-College Scholars Commuter Checklist.

Item 1. Before You Apply

Click on that and you come to another page:

PreCollege Commuter Application Checklist | PreCollege Programs

At the top of that page you see the following:

Before You Apply:
1. Carefully read the Berkeley Pre-College Scholars: Summer Commuter Program page. Pay special attention to the Eligibility, Deadlines, Fees, Refund Policy, and Academic Policies sections.

Note the word "fees" that appears in that first paragraph.

Unfortunately yes, since they had to sign some forms during the application process.

My guess is that they were consent forms that obligated them to pay the fees. Fees that they should have asked about before committing to the program.

Good luck getting out from under this.
 
My question is, is it legal for a university to demand payment from a student in such a manner?

Of course it's legal. You entered into a contract, and that contract had certain terms to which you agreed. You don't really think the other party should be legally precluded that you comply with the terms to which you agreed, do you?

That being said, since you're a junior in high school, I assume you're a minor, and minors lack the capacity to enter into contracts. However, since it was apparently your parents -- and not you -- who entered into the contract by signing the application, they're the ones on the hook. If they failed to read and understand the terms of the contract, that's not a valid excuse not to pay.

I suggest your parents call the school and see what sort of compromise can be made.
 
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