Debt collection letter received after 32 years

Most Universities put a whole lot of effort into alumni fundraising. You may want to contact your alumni association and ask them to assist. The school may not give a shit about you, but they don’t want an organized rebellion from the golden goose brigade.

my question is why would the state of Virginia deduct from your return if debt was with GMU?

State university, funded by VA

A paralegal in my hometown says that applies here. There is no way I can prove that I paid it, so I will have to now or at tax time

Sorry to hear that. You might still pursue the state legislator route, but ultimately you have to decide if your time and mental energies dedicated to fighting this are worth it.