Hello! I am proud to have graduated from Brenau University with my Master of Science degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology with plans of becoming licensed as a professional counselor. By Georgia law, once I graduate, I am obligated to work two years before I can become fully licensed as an LPC. Also, there is an option to obtain my associate professional counseling license which would open me up to more opportunities for better pay. Having a masters degree would also qualify me to be a professor- one of my career goals. I graduated from Brenau University with a 3.45 GPA, a fellowship with the American Psychological Association, and a balance over $5900 (it's now down to $5170 after a credit was added without my knowledge), like some students may have and with every intention to pay for it. I was under the impression that I would just make a payment plan and they would release my transcripts to potential employers and to the state for licensing so that I can obtain employment so I can afford to pay them back. I was wrong.

One of my internships hired me on as an employee, but did not receive my transcripts for a few months that kept me from getting a raise and an increase in pay. Because of this, it has been a domino affect on my finances causing me to have to get a second job barely getting by and unable to afford my agreement to pay the school back. I've recently had the opportunity to interview and be hired by a college for an adjunct professor position that pays very well and would definitely knock out my debt I owe Brenau University so I can obtain my transcripts and degree. However, when I requested a copy of my official transcript to be sent to the college for me to begin training and to significantly increase my income, Brenau University denied it. I have already had a hard time paying anything to them because of low income, but have not been able to obtain a job with a better salary because Brenau University will not release my transcript for me to have the opportunity to make more and pay them back. I am in a catch 22. 

Apparently, Brenau University, like many other colleges and university around the country, has a policy that allows them to keep our transcripts and degrees hostage until the balance is paid. They will not release these documents to the state boards or potential employers for you to get a decent job and salary until you pay the balance off whether you can afford to pay them or not. What's worse is that they can legally do this. Further, my bill has been sent to collections demanding I pay this bill even though I do not have the income to pay this off any time soon. However, between having COVID earlier this year for the third time and job hunting for over a year to make ends meet, Brenau University will not release my transcripts to potential employers so that I can get on my feet, pay their balance, and be a supporting alumni.

I am not asking for my degree or transcript for myself- I want to pay my bill. I am not asking them to wipe out my debt- I want to pay them back. I am asking them and other colleges and universities across the country to change their policies and allow the release of transcripts for people to obtain professional licenses (when applicable) and jobs. This will potentially improve our financial outlook that we expect from a college education, be able to afford to pay our schools what we owe, and support them financially as alumni. Currently 6.6 million people are having their transcripts held by their college or university and keeping them from upgrading their lives (you can read about it HERE). Is it worth holding on to transcripts that are keeping people from affording to have a better life and have the potential to support their alma mater long term? Is it worth holding a transcript that most colleges are making money from anyway since they charge at least $10 for you to have to send to potential employers and licensing boards?

This is important to understand the detriment this is creating. This keeps me, another African American woman, among other people of all backgrounds, as another statistic continuing to live below poverty level with a masters degree that I cannot use to expand my life the way I earned and even pay the school back. Most importantly, think about the other students who graduated from Brenau College, Brenau University, and other colleges and universities across the country who have completed their programs but cannot get a better paying job simply because the school will not release transcripts to employers and state licensing boards. I have run out of options and I do not know what to do anymore. However, don't do this just for me. Do this so future generations of students who are climbing out of poverty, like I was doing, to afford a better quality of life for themselves and their families.