International Student In Florida, Former School Is Suddenly Demanding A Balance After My Transfer. Do I Actually Have To Pay This?

Location: Florida.

I’m an international student in Florida, and I’m dealing with a really frustrating situation with my former school.

I originally enrolled in a Bachelor’s program, but when classes were supposed to start, I was suddenly told the school was restructuring the program and I had to start in a technical program instead. I was only able to start the actual bachelor’s program about 1.5 years later, and the total cost eventually increased by around $20,000 compared with my original agreement.

This year, the school announced a teach-out, and I was told that the residential bachelor’s program I originally enrolled in would become 100% online. As an international student, I was given the choice of either paying another U.S. institution to maintain my status while continuing online with them, or leaving the U.S.

I decided to just transfer because I couldn't afford two schools.

The transfer was extremely difficult. My former school ignored my emails and calls for almost three weeks, and my new school had to get involved to get them to respond and complete the transfer.

Before my transfer, I was told that my information would only be transferred if my payments were completely up to date and I had no outstanding balance. I made my payments, and my transfer was completed.

Now, about a month after leaving, I suddenly received an email saying I have an outstanding balance and that it could be sent to collections if I don't pay.

I have been trying to contact the former school for several days to ask what this balance is for, but they haven't answered me.

I'm confused and worried.

Can this affect my current F-1/SEVIS status? Do I have to pay a balance that the school previously told me I didn't have?

Should I contact my current DSO and ask the former school for an itemized statement before paying anything?

For context, I was a good student there (around a 4.0 GPA) and even served as a co-captain of their esports team for about a year. I just want to make sure I'm protecting myself and my immigration status while dealing with this.

Any advice from other international students or people familiar with F-1/SEVIS transfers would be greatly appreciated.

Extra: I get married recent with a American. (I don't know how this affect my situation too)