A Northern Illinois University (NIU) student could be on the hook for $7,500 to be paid to the school because of a difference in interpretation of a housing rule, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Chris Lewandowski majors in music at NIU and he did not want to live in one of the school's double occupancy rooms. He found an off-campus apartment where he could practice guitar at any and all hours of the day.

To cancel his housing contract, he needed to do so by May 1. On April 11, he contacted a university housing official who confirmed what he was already told before signing up for the dorms.

"No charge is made when the cancellation is received by May 1," the representative told him in an e-mail.

Lewandowski was also told he needed to submit a housing contract release form. So he did. On May 7, the university told him they would not be releasing him from his contract and that he owed the school $7,490 in housing fees. He appealed the decision and it was denied right away.

"They told me there was no penalty if I signed up for the dorms and canceled by May 1," Lewandowski told the Tribune. "I'm incredibly frustrated. I'm kind of feeling like they're getting away with stealing a bunch of money from me."

Paul Palian, director of media and public relations at NIU, acknowledged the confusion in this case.

"Indeed, it does appear there was a difference of understanding of the May 1 deadline to receive a full refund of deposit based on the email exchange in April," Palian said in an e-mail response to the Chicago Tribune's inquiry. "However, I am not aware of the full context of those emails."

NIU's website states, "After this three-day period, students are not typically released from their contractual obligation to commute from home or move to alternative off-campus housing... By clicking on the 'Continue' button below, you expressly agree to enter into a housing contract with NIU for the academic year."

It's this information, combined with what Lewandowski was told by the housing representative, that led him to file a second appeal.

Lewandowski's mother Rita said her son does not have a positive outlook on the pending decision.

"He's kind of given up," she said. "He doesn't think they're probably going to care."

Students at NIU are usually informed of appeal decisions within 10 days. Chris Lewandowski has yet to hear back on a ruling from the appeal board.