Is anyone familiar with the University of Michigan’s “10 Term Rule?” It basically states that Institutional Aid is only given to undergraduate students for 10 terms (5 years). Terms from another college also count. I spent 6 terms (3 years) at a community college before transferring to the U-M, so I only have 4 terms (2 years) to complete my degree before I have to pay for my own tuition/room and board.
My Financial Aid from Michigan was substantial, but if I have to pay full tuition in my third year, then it’ll almost be like I got no aid at all.
I would like to know if anyone has any experience with this rule, or if there are known exceptions to it.
I think that’s pretty generous. A junior transfer should finish in two more years.
PA grant aid for example is only available for 8 full-time terms and most scholarships from universities are limited to 8 terms as well
Yes, sounds generous. Make sure you sit down with advisor and make a plan for finishing degree in two years. There was another student here who also spent three years at CC then transferred to UM but couldn’t get done by time money ran out, although part of that was due to study abroad that didn’t seem to allow her to finish specific degree requirements on time.
Make sure all your credits count. Michigan is extremely picky especially for math /science. Get with an advisor and go over your plan.
However, Michigan’s stingy transfer credit* may make it more difficult for a junior transfer to finish in 4 semesters, compared to a junior transfer to some other colleges, or a frosh with a 10 semester FA limit.
Also, it would make more sense to specify an FA limit for transfers starting on entry (e.g. 6 semesters since junior transfer entry), since some transfers may be non-traditional students who took many more than 4 semesters at community college as part time students. But given Michigan’s other transfer-unfriendly policies, that may be too much to ask.
*OP should check transfer credit at https://www.ugadmiss.umich.edu/TCE/Public/CT_TCESearch.aspx and then map out whether it will be possible for him/her to complete his/her BA/BS in 4 semesters at Michigan, based on what major and GE requirements are covered by the transfer credit.
Engineering and dual majors often take 9 terms, so this rule makes sense. I expect for transfer students they will take the credit hour equivalent ; it makes no sense for someone who attended college part time while working. Check with your adisor.
My kids each got 8 semesters to finish, and for one they had to be 8 consecutive semesters (she took a semester off and almost lost it).
At least you know now instead of when you were headed into Semester 10 and still needing 25 credits. Figure out what you need, divide it by 4 and take that many credits each semester. Or take a summer class on your own dime.
I have spoken to Financial Aid Reps since I posted this. For anyone who cares for an explanation on the exact rule, a “term” is defined as 12 credit hours.
So classes that did not use up terms were classes that did not transfer to UM and developmental math courses that I took at community college. UM is taking 52 of my credits, which is worth 4.25 terms. After enrolling at UM, I’ll have 5.75 terms left to complete my degree; which is PLENTY. And worst case scenario, I can appeal for more terms. I now understand that this is indeed incredibly generous.
Thank you, everyone, for the responses!