<p>Here's the short story: I am currently at a community college and will be transferring next fall to a UC. I have one more semester of school left at a CC with about 5 classes to go. I am qualified for a BOG fee waiver; however, I was recently denied Fiancial Aid (the option to take out a Federal Loan). </p>
<pre><code>I appealed this decision with the assistance of a school counselor and everything seemed like it was going to be ok, according to him. Well, 6 weeks later, I get the appeal back, and it says I have been denied. The initial reason was that I have attempted too many units. Well, this is true because I changed majors half way through and am now a biology major.
The hardest part is, I am severely struggling financially and my course work is extremely demanding being a biology major. If I am to get into the school of my choice, I cannot afford to work this semester or the following semester as I have tried this in the past and my grades dropped dramatically.
I barely have a couple dollars to my name and the only thing that I have for certain is a roof over my head and a girlfriend who can afford our basic needs. Unfortunately, this won't last long and will not be enough to cover next semester.
So, I was wondering, is there any possible way to appeal a "Final Decision" appeal from financial aid? Is there any way to get in contact with the department that makes these "Final Decisions" and possibly sway their decision? I wrote a very well written appeal and my counselor who is well reputed didn't see any reason why I should not receive AID.
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<p>If you can, please provide me some useful information in order to resolve this issue of mine. I would greatly appreciate any assistance :)</p>
<p>My only other option is to apply for a private loan; however, I don't have a co-signer so that option is null.</p>
<p>You need to sit down with the financial aid director of your school and see what the issue is. Yes, you CAN re-appeal just as you were able to appeal the first time, but getting a successful response is what your problem is. You need to go over your history and see what your options are.</p>
<p>What additional info will you provide to be considered? What did they miss? Just because you didn’t like the answer is not really a reason to re-appeal.</p>
<p>Is this the first time you have been on SAP (were you previously on warning)? Are you currently enrolled ONLY in classes you need for your degree? If so, and if you and your counselor submitted a plan that included only classes you need for your degree, you may want to enlist the help of the counselor in talking to the financial aid department. If you were on warning or probation previously, or if you are taking classes you do not “need,” it will be much harder to successfully appeal. You have nothing to lose, though, in trying to appeal … best wishes to you.</p>
<p>I’m thinking of waiting until this semester is over (I’ve done really well this semester) and then I will try to have a sit down with the financial aid director of my school in January and try to see if they can help me to get the board to reconsider my 2nd appeal. I’ve never been on academic probation before
I’ve taken 94 units because of changing my major midway through. However, since then (1 year and a half ago), I’ve only taken courses that are associated with my major and my counselor confirmed this at our last meeting. I have four classes left before I transfer, so, I am bummed because I could really use the money next semester…
I’m genuinely baffled as to why I was rejected. My only thinking is that I’ve “maxed” out on my loans for being at a community college? I have about $8,500 in loans currently. I’m assuming that they’re probably not wanting to give me any loans until I have actually transferred…</p>
<p>You are not maxed out on loans. It sounds like you are denied solely due to accumulating more than 150% of the number of credits needed to get an associates degree. Because you have an academic plan and have been sticking to it - only taking classes that count toward your degree - I repeat my earlier suggestion that you enlist the help of your academic advisor in talking to the financial aid office. Sorry, but no one here can give you better advice than the folks at your own school. You need to set up an appointment to talk to them.</p>