Am I a non-traditional student?

Applying to College
1

I am a 22 year old male from Sacramento, CA who graduated from high school in 2006. In January of my senior year I began feeling extremely ill and started going to different doctors on a nearly weekly basis looking for answers. Unfortunately those answers never came; I spent 14 plus hours each day sleeping, barely ate anything (typically one meal a day) and was barely able to function at any type of a livable level. I miraculously was able to finish high school and graduate with minimal poor marks on my record. For the next two years I had little change in my health and still no answers from the many doctors and specialists I visited. At that point things started to slightly improve for me to the point where I was able to rejoin society and get a job; however to this day I still have some lingering health issues.

After over two years with no income and many medical bills, I racked up a significant amount of debt. I have been working for the last two years in an attempt to attack this debt and have been relatively successful. After this long journey I feel I am finally ready to begin my college career.

A quick summary of my academic career:

HS GPA of between 3.0 and 3.5. This is including my poor marks due to health in my final semester. I also am unable to be more precise because I haven’t looked at my records in over 4 years.

SAT scores:
Math: 800
Reading: 700
Writing: 600

I had been accepted to UC Santa Cruz, which was my number one school at the time. However due to my health I did not attend.

I attempted to take some community college courses during this time with sub par results. I had several withdraws, one or two F’s and a few passing grades worth about 8 units.

I have decided on a major, Sports Management/Administration, but have yet to decide on a school. My primary goal is to begin my college career as soon as possible to make up for lost time with the intention of transferring to the school of my choice within a year or two.

I have a few questions I was hoping you all could help me out with:

1)I haven’t filed a FAFSA since 2006. What is the best way to go about searching for all available financial aid?

2)In my situation would I still be applying as a freshmen based upon my high school numbers?

3)Is it more difficult to transfer as a sophomore rather than as a junior?

4)I know it is extremely last minute, but if possible I would like to begin school as soon as Fall 2010. Is there anywhere I can find a recent list of schools which are still allowing applications for the upcoming semester?

Thank you so much for reading all of this and any advice is appreciated.

2

Yes, you are a non-trad student. Welcome!

  1. You would want to fill out the FAFSA at the .gov site. As for how much aid you get, it will still depend primarily on your <em>parent’s</em> level of income because you are considered a dependent until the age of 24 (or married, or have a kid yourself, etc.) Thus, in some ways, if you don’t go too fast right now with college, you may find yourself getting a LOT more aid in under 2 years from now.

  2. Most places will consider you a transfer student because you have 8 credits. However, double check fine print for <em>each</em> college because each will have their own criteria (ie: less than 10, less than 12 credits - be sure to ask if it is just passed classes or ALL units attempted regardless of grades, though)

  3. For California CSUs and UCs you MUST be a junior transfer. That means 60 units and any prereqs. For UCs that usually means IGETC pathway. For CSUs be sure to finish the “golden 4” = college level math, english, communications and science w/ lab. See #2 and make sure you are a transfer student or a first time freshman… read the fine print CAREFULY. Also know that even admissions people on the phone will give you wrong information so you must double triple check all information!

  4. I doubt any CSUs or UCs are taking students for Fall 2010. They are impacted and turned away literally THOUSANDS of <em>qualified</em> freshman and transfer students. They aren’t even going to peek at a late application at this time. Some privates may still be taking students. Mills College is still looking. There is a published list somewhere, but it will be primarily privates (and zero CSUs or UCs). Also, at this late date, financial aid is probably limited at privates.

I suggest you take 2 years at a California Community College. It is cheap, you can probably swing the cost without taking loans, it helps pass the time until you are 24 and qualify for better FA status. If you get all As from here out you could even transfer into one of the top UCs from a CCC. AND the CCs are still open for students for fall 2010 - though getting into classes might be a bit spotty with late registration, but it is still possible.