TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) -
Students who have outstanding debt could get a rude awakening come the first day of class at the University of Toledo.
The University is instituting a new policy this year, under which students with unpaid bills will be disenrolled from the school on the first day of classes.
Bowling Green State University has had the policy in place for years. Students must either have zero balance on the first day of classes, or have worked out a payment plan with the university.
"We have an expectation that students be in what we call a paid status, which means either they have a zero balance or they have made arrangements for a payment plan before they start classes in any given semester," said BGSU Dean of Students Jill Carr.
BGSU administrators say the policy works as a teaching tool to students, and keeps the academic environment a fair.
We have waiting lists for classes. So if someone drops a class or we disenroll someone, there are students right behind them who would like that seat. So we have to be fair in all situations," said Carr.
Incoming and returning students were reminded of their financial responsibilities at BGSU all summer, through orientations, letters and social media reminders.
Student Alyssa Batch says squaring away her finances was the most stressful part of getting ready for college.
"I think a lot of people are stressing out about it, i was stressing out about it, getting everything done. It feels so much better to have it done, so I'm sure everyone's going to get on the ball," said Batch.
The deadline for both BGSU and UT students to have their financing in order is this Sunday.
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