Elon University is suing former student, Taylor P. Burns, in Alamance County Superior Court over $18,365.25 in federal loans, interest, penalties and fees.
According to the suit, filed on Dec. 17, Burns took out 10 loans from 2010 to 2015, which totaled $11,891. These loans ranged from $320 to $1,500. But because of interest and both a late fee and a collection fee, an additional $6,474.25 has been added to Burns' total.
Burns' loans came from The Federal Perkins Loan Program, which are "low interest federal student loans for undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need." But according to its website, schools' ability to make new Perkins loans ended in September 2017.
According to the U.S. Department of Education's 2015-2016 Post-Secondary Nominee Presentation Form, 8 percent of Elon's 5,903 undergraduates received Pell Grants, roughly 472 students.
In the last 10 years, Burns is the third student Elon has sued regarding unpaid Perkins loans.
Most recently, in 2014, the university sued a student over $8,119.85 — this case is still active. A year before, in 2013, Elon sued another student for $3,330.45 — this case as canceled in February 2014 after the student paid the full amount.
Burns has 30 days from the day the lawsuit was filed to file an answer to the complaint. The court will than make a default judgment in favor of either party.