Can a debt collector charge unexplained interest in Ohio?

I have an account in collections at Keith D. Weiner & Assoc in Cleveland, Ohio. I spoke to a collector on 05/09 2011 and he said my balance due was 2,603.12, which I owed to Cleveland State University for tuition that I didn't pay in 2007. I contacted and paid the law firm $263 in May (I received a certified letter and assumed it was a lawsuit) and agreed to pay them the balance in full in June by taking a loan from my 401k.

I have two questions, my original balance at Cleveland State University was 2,100. Can they charge me $500 in unexplained fees? Also the agent that I talked to says that my balance is $2,447.08. The balance should be 2,340.12 but he says the I am being charged 4% interest per day. This was never explained to me nor did I agree to this. Is this legal in Ohio?

I want to settle this outstanding debt but I'm not trying to get screwed at the same time.


Thanks for your help.

This is easy....tuition accounts are state debts. You agreed to all collection costs which is usually 25-50% of your balance. Tuition accounts at some schools do become subject to late fees...usually a percentage but not 4% per day. And yes, you did agree to all of these charges. When you enroll in a school you agree to all the policies of the school,,, http://www.csuohio.edu/offices/treas...ceivables.html

The collector is probably unfamiliar with the proper terms and policies.

Not the news I wanted to hear, but it is what it is. Guess I'll check them the check on Thursday.

Thanks!