RCW 28B.10.293
Collection of debts—Conditions and limitations on institutions of higher education.
(1) Institutions of higher education may, in the control and collection of any debt or claim due owing to it, impose reasonable financing and late charges, as well as reasonable costs and expenses incurred in the collection of such debts, if provided for in the note or agreement signed by the debtor.
(2) Institutions of higher education may not do any of the following for the purposes of debt collection, unless the debts are related to nonpayment of tuition fees, room and board fees, or financial aid funds owed:
(a) Refuse to provide an official transcript for a current or former student on the grounds that the student owes a debt;
(b) Condition the provision of an official transcript on the payment of the debt, other than a fee charged to provide the official transcript;
(c) Charge a higher fee for obtaining the official transcript, or provide less than favorable treatment of an official transcript request because a student owes a debt; or
(d) Use transcript issuance as a tool for debt collection.
(3) Institutions of higher education may not withhold a student's official transcript, regardless of debt, except the fee charged to provide an official transcript, if the official transcript is requested by a student or entity for any of the following purposes:
(a) Job applications;
(b) Transferring to another institution;
(c) Applying for financial aid;
(d) Pursuit of opportunities in the military or national guard; or
(e) Pursuit of other postsecondary opportunities.
(4) Institutions of higher education may not withhold registration privileges as a debt collection tool, excluding the case of any debts related to nonpayment of tuition fees, room and board fees, or financial aid funds owed.
(5) If an institution of higher education chooses to withhold official transcripts or registration privileges as a tool for debt collection, the institution shall disclose to students through a secure portal or email and the class registration process the following at the start of each academic term:
(a) The amount of debt, if any, owed by the student to the institution;
(b) Information on payment of the debt, including who to contact to set up a payment plan; and
(c) Any consequences that will result from the nonpayment of the debt.
(6) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Debt" means any money, obligation, claim, or sum, due or owing, or alleged to be due or owing, from a student.
(b) "Financial aid funds owed" means any financial aid funds owed to the institution under Title IV, or to the state, due to miscalculation, withdrawal, misinformation, or other reason, not including standard repayment of student loans.
(c) "Institutions of higher education" means the same as in RCW 28B.92.030.
(d) "Room and board fees" means any money, obligation, claim, or sum, due or owing, or alleged to be due or owing, from a student for the provision of contractually agreed to on-campus housing or meal services plans.
(e) "Tuition fees" means tuition fees as defined in RCW 28B.15.020, services and activities fees as defined in RCW 28B.15.041, technology fees as defined in RCW 28B.15.051, and fees charged for nonstate funded, fee-based, self-supporting degree, certificate, or continuing education courses, or similar charges for nonpublic institutions.
[ 2020 c 281 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 18 § 1.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 28B.10 - Colleges and Universities Generally.
28B.10.017 - "Eligible student" defined.
28B.10.019 - Electronic signatures.
28B.10.020 - Acquisition of property by universities and The Evergreen State College.
28B.10.022 - Authority to enter into financing contracts—Notice.
28B.10.024 - Awards of procurement contracts to veteran-owned businesses.
28B.10.025 - Purchases of works of art—Procedure.
28B.10.0291 - Savings report—2012 c 230.
28B.10.030 - Display of United States flag.
28B.10.031 - Check cashing privileges.
28B.10.033 - Teacher preparation programs.
28B.10.034 - Central Washington University—Student teacher remote supervision.
28B.10.035 - Concurrent enrollment program accreditation.
28B.10.037 - Student expression in school-sponsored media.
28B.10.040 - Higher educational institutions to be nonsectarian.
28B.10.042 - Personal identifiers—Use of social security numbers prohibited.
28B.10.0421 - Personal identifiers—Funding.
28B.10.050 - Entrance requirements exceeding minimum requirements.
28B.10.057 - Academic credit for military training.
28B.10.100 - "Major line" defined.
28B.10.105 - Courses exclusive to the University of Washington.
28B.10.106 - Courses exclusive to Washington State University.
28B.10.115 - Major lines common to University of Washington and Washington State University.
28B.10.118 - Accelerated baccalaureate degree programs—Approval.
28B.10.140 - Teachers' training courses.
28B.10.145 - Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism—Professional development.
28B.10.147 - Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism—Campus climate assessment.
28B.10.149 - Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism—Program for students.
28B.10.151 - Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism—Reports.
28B.10.170 - College and university fees.
28B.10.280 - Student loans—Federal student aid programs.
28B.10.281 - Student loans—Certain activities may make student ineligible for aid.
28B.10.284 - Uniform minor student capacity to borrow act.
28B.10.287 - Postsecondary institution financial aid disbursement by third party.
28B.10.293 - Collection of debts—Conditions and limitations on institutions of higher education.
28B.10.294 - Collection of debts—Report.
28B.10.295 - Educational materials on abuses of, and illnesses consequent from, alcohol.
28B.10.335 - Validation of prior bond issues.
28B.10.354 - High-performance public buildings requirements.
28B.10.400 - Annuities and retirement income plans—Authorized.
28B.10.405 - Annuities and retirement income plans—Contributions by faculty and employees.
28B.10.409 - Annuities and retirement income plans—Membership while serving as state legislator.
28B.10.410 - Annuities and retirement income plans—Limitation on institution's contribution.
28B.10.425 - Additional pension for certain retired university faculty members or employees.
28B.10.430 - Annuities and retirement income plans—Minimum monthly benefit—Computation.
28B.10.480 - Tax deferred annuities for employees.
28B.10.500 - Removal of regents or trustees from universities and The Evergreen State College.
28B.10.510 - Attorney general as advisor.
28B.10.520 - Regents and trustees—Oaths.
28B.10.525 - Regents and trustees—Travel expenses.
28B.10.528 - Delegation of powers and duties by governing boards.
28B.10.550 - Police forces for universities and The Evergreen State College—Authorized.
28B.10.555 - Police forces for universities and The Evergreen State College—Powers.
28B.10.572 - Certain unlawful acts—Disciplinary authority exception.
28B.10.580 - Term papers, theses, dissertations, sale of prohibited—Legislative findings—Purpose.
28B.10.582 - Term papers, theses, dissertations, sale of prohibited—Definitions.
28B.10.590 - Course materials—Cost savings—Online course descriptions.
28B.10.592 - College textbook information—Publishers' duties.
28B.10.618 - Credit card marketing policies.
28B.10.631 - Bridge-funding programs—Establishment and administration.
28B.10.665 - Liability insurance for officers and employees authorized.
28B.10.679 - Washington mathematics placement test.
28B.10.680 - Precollege coursework—Findings—Intent.
28B.10.685 - Precollege coursework—Enrollment information—Report.
28B.10.690 - Graduation rate improvement—Findings.
28B.10.691 - Graduation rate improvement—Strategic plans—Adoption of strategies.
28B.10.693 - Graduation rate improvement—Student progression understandings.
28B.10.695 - Timely completion of degree and certificate programs—Adoption of policies.
28B.10.698 - Schools of medicine—Health equity curriculum.
28B.10.699 - Schools of medicine—Underrepresented students—Report.
28B.10.700 - Physical education in curriculum.
28B.10.703 - Programs for intercollegiate athletic competition—Authorized.
28B.10.708 - Graduation ceremonies—Tribal regalia.
28B.10.710 - Washington state or Pacific Northwest history in curriculum.
28B.10.730 - AIDS information—Four-year institutions.
28B.10.735 - Suicide prevention—Identification cards.
28B.10.776 - Budget calculation—Enrollment levels—Participation rate.
28B.10.778 - Budget calculation—New enrollments—Funding level—Inflation factor.
28B.10.780 - Budget calculation—Funding level.
28B.10.782 - Budget calculation—Increased enrollment target level—Availability of information.
28B.10.786 - Budget calculation—Student financial aid programs.
28B.10.825 - Institutional student loan fund for needy students.
28B.10.840 - Definitions for purposes of RCW 28B.10.840 through 28B.10.844.
28B.10.846 - Report of child abuse or neglect—Reporting responsibilities.
28B.10.878 - G. Robert Ross distinguished faculty award.
28B.10.890 - Collegiate license plate fund—Scholarships.
28B.10.900 - "Hazing" defined.
28B.10.901 - Hazing prohibited—Penalty.
28B.10.904 - Hazing—Code of conduct—Educational program.
28B.10.905 - Hazing—Prevention committee.
28B.10.906 - Hazing—Report of violations.
28B.10.907 - Hazing—Prevention education—Incident reporting.
28B.10.908 - Hazing—Social fraternity and sorority organizations.
28B.10.910 - Students with disabilities—Core services.
28B.10.912 - Students with disabilities—Core services described—Notice of nondiscrimination.
28B.10.914 - Students with disabilities—Accommodation.
28B.10.916 - Supplemental instructional materials for students with print access disability.
28B.10.918 - Disability history month—Activities.
28B.10.926 - Transfer of ownership of institution-owned vessel—Further requirements.
28B.10.930 - Comprehensive cancer care collaborative arrangements—Nonstate entity.
28B.10.980 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.