How many years will a university or college withhold your official?
Good question. I believe that a legal remedy cannot be painted across all cases. States, and districts differ, and in this case, an adminstration can be an ass hole because they can. While a 10-year debt annulment blocks them from further suits, or attachments to recover the debt, the withholding of the transcript might be seen as a refusal to do future business which could be protected forever. As mentioned it would be a case by case basis, and my opinion is that most ANY school doesnt like to be sued. A case can easily be made that ones future advancement(s), and potential income can be bruised by their intentional withholding of the transcript. Therefore, a letter of inquiry, pointing out that their policy financially jeopardizes your future has surfaced, and compensation for the damages may be sought, The letter with legal letter head should mention Federal Case Law 34 CFR 674.31 in 59 FR 61399 (11/30/1994), in which the Department wrote that Withholding the official academic transcript is in violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), regardless of whether the borrower has signed such a provision in his or her promissory note.