-Decency is not Dead-
I am having almost the same problem as you, with University of WI-Platteville. In 2001, I had to drop out of classes after 4 weeks after I found out my financial aid wasnt going to go through. They told me too bad, It was 1 week after the drop date and I would still owe for the full semester at $1400! Right after I dropped it took me awhile to get back on my feet, but once I did I contacted UWP to make payment arrangements. I UNDERSTOOD that I would have some interest charges that I would have to pay. But when I called them to set up the payments, they had already sold my account to a collection agency that was now telling me I owed them $4500! I asked UWP if I could just pay them directly, and they said NO.
But, imagine my surprise when 6 YEARS LATER (this past Feb.), that agency gives up & GIVES my acct back to UWP! I found out because they actually garnished my state refund check, but I was ecstatic anyways because UWP sent me a letter saying I owed $2450 (which I thought was reasonable) and I was just so happy the account was back with Platteville.... or so I thought. Not even a week later I got a letter from a new collector (AMO recoveries) stating I owed them the $2450! I was mad but since it was the same amount I figured hey I'll just pay it & get it over with... so I call my "assigned collection" lady who I tell I can only pay $1900 right now & would like to pay $100 a month after that. She states she needs me to fax the written letter stating this, & she would forward to Platteville to see if they would accept. Ok so I did that. But in the meantime, they sent me a NEW letter (1 week after the 1st letter) stating I now owed $3700! I was furious and called the lady & said I have one letter dated the 4th stating I owe $2450 from AMO & 6 DAYS LATER another letter from AMO stating I owe $3700! She tells me "oh UWP called & told us we forgot to add the collection fees on, theres no way around paying those!". Why would UWP call to make sure AMO collected $1250 in fees? The lady states I need to call her back by Thurs to let her know how I plan to proceed, but now I dont know what too do....