As students begin to register for next semester’s classes and seniors await graduation, UA parking tickets may be the last thing on their minds.

But unpaid tickets could prove to be a bigger problem than students think because unpaid tickets enact a “”hold”” on student accounts, preventing registration or graduation until they’re paid, according to UA Parking and Transportation Services officials.

“”After 14 days, students will receive a $20 late fee for unpaid parking tickets unless they try to contest the charge,”” said Dave Heineking, associate director of operations for PTS. “”If they still go unpaid, the charges will transfer to bursar’s accounts, and students cannot schedule classes or get their diplomas or grades until they pay the charges on their bursar’s account.””

Sara Schuchardt, a journalism senior, said she knows this policy all too well.

“”Two semesters ago, I got a ticket for parking over a white line,”” Schuchardt said. “”I wasn’t going to pay it and tried to fight the charges, but they wouldn’t let me register for my classes until I paid the ticket.””

By the time she paid the charges incurred by the ticket, Schuchardt said the charges for late fees well exceeded the original amount of the ticket.

“”I understand that they need to get their money, but not letting people register or graduate is a little excessive,”” Schuchardt said.

Although most students pay their parking tickets before they encounter these problems, Heineking said he has seen instances when accumulated parking tickets resulted in other unexpected consequences, such as the impounding of vehicles.

“”We give students the chance to appeal the charges or send it to their bursar’s, but if you don’t pay three tickets we might impound the vehicle or put a boot on it,”” Heineking said.

Although registration holds, which prevent graduation or class registration, have always been issued, Associated Students of the University of Arizona President Erin Hertzog said the issue is becoming more common to students.

“”We have an active involvement in this,”” Hertzog said of registration holds. “”This is an issue that has just come up, and although it has existed for a while, we haven’t really heard of it as something that is problematic to students, but it is definitely something that is on our radar now.””

Typically, students are aware of holds on their accounts prior to registration or graduation, said Nancy Rangel, coordinator of Advising Services.

Just to be sure, students are encouraged to check for holds on their bursar’s account prior to registration by accessing Student Link.