u/Efficient_Land5183

Hi everyone,
I’m trying to get advice on a transcript hold situation with my university.
I attended only one semester (Spring 2023) at the University of Southern Mississippi. My tuition and mandatory academic fees were fully covered by federal financial aid (Pell Grant and student loans).
However, I now have an outstanding balance of about $3,000 related to housing and meal plan charges. Because of this, the university is refusing to release my official transcript.
I’ve already:
Contacted the Dean of Students (they said they don’t handle billing)
Contacted Business Services (they say payment is required in full)
Contacted Admissions about my record access
Filed complaints with FSA Feedback Center and CFPB
Asked if partial transcripts or grade records could be sent (they said no)
The school is saying they will not release my official transcript until the balance is paid in full.
My question is:
Is there any legal or practical way to get my transcript released or negotiate this kind of institutional debt? Has anyone dealt with something similar successfully?
I’m trying to continue my education and transfer, but I’m stuck because I only have one semester of credits and cannot access my transcript.
Any advice would really help. I also saw a newer federal regulation about transcript withholding and Title IV aid, but I’m not sure if it applies to housing/meal plan balances.