@jdkaim do the project as a way to say you're sorry, give them the work uncompensated (effectively they're charging you the value of your degree, I'd assume that's not trivial).
Once you have your degree, you can go from there, hire a lawyer, sue for uncompensated labor (something about minimum wage laws, I think, requires they pay you), and so on. Maybe even some emotional distress.
But hey, IANAL and ya gotta do what you think is right.
This is probably the right answer. Similar to "dont fight the police on the street, fight them in court". Can even quiet-quit during the project if you need to.. software can take an awfully long time to build..
Also, track your time during the work. And keep all correspondance. Paper trail, paper trail, paper trail.
Yes, very clever. Have them deliver the diploma while you deliver the software... ever...so...slowly... and then, charge for consulting fees to make it work after you graduate!!!!
Once you have your degree, you can go from there, hire a lawyer, sue for uncompensated labor (something about minimum wage laws, I think, requires they pay you), and so on. Maybe even some emotional distress.
But hey, IANAL and ya gotta do what you think is right.