Account in Default: Collection Agency Policy

1. WHY WAS I SENT TO A COLLECTION AGENCY?

Students are transferred to a collection agency if a balance remains past-due six (6) months after the official last day of the semester.  The student may no longer make payments directly to the college, and all payments/payment arrangements must be remitted to the assigned collector.  Students are responsible for the balance owed to the college as well as any additional fees/surcharges from the debt holding agency.  Balances are not negotiated.

2. WHAT IS A COLLECTION AGENCY HOLD?

Collection agency holds (either BHV or BTS) are University holds.  University holds are viewed by all CUNY colleges and blocks registration at those institutions until the debt is fully paid to the campus it is owed to.

3. WHERE IS THE PAYMENT ACCEPTED?

Collection Agency Contact

4. HOW IS A COLLECTION AGENCY PAYMENT RECORDED?

Collection agency payments are posted to the student record as either “CBHV Collection pmnt to school” or “TSI Collection pmnt to school."  The collector will notify you if any additional follow-up is necessary.  In addition, collection agencies disburse payment to the college in a month-end report.  This means John Jay College cannot apply your collection agency payment until the new month.  For example, if a student pays the collector in January, it will not be reflected on their financial account until February (typically within the first 10-business days).

5. I HAVE A PAST-DUE BALANCE / BURSAR HOLDS / COLLECTION AGENCY HOLD.  HOW DOES PAYING A COLLECTOR CLEAR IT?

Balances held with a collector must be paid in full with the appropriate agency.  This includes all collection fees/surcharges.  Please allow up to ten (10) days for the collection agency to notify John Jay that your balance has been paid in full.  Upon confirmation of full payment from them, the Bursar holds will be released—even though the payment will not be received by the campus until the subsequent month.  It is important to note that payment plans with a collector do not clear account holds.  Student registration will remain blocked until the balance is ($0.00).