<p>Hey everyone. I was looking around the net, thinking about college and what not. I really want to go back. I had financial aid way back when when I went college in 2005. I took a semester and did eh so-so. Then my 2nd semester was a joke. I pretty much didn't go to any classes. I was so busy with acting and the school plays I forgot all about my studies, and found myself sleeping in way to late. Anyway.. I know I messed up, and they took my financial aid away. I asked them a while back if there was a relapse time when maybe it would reset itself? But they said no. (is that true?)</p>
<p>September is coming up quick, and I work full time during the day, but I am highly considering going back for a couple night classes, and retaking the classes I failed a few years ago. If I retake the classes I failed, it would fix my GPA would it not? And if that was the case, would I get my Aid Back?</p>
<p>I just need to to figure out what I should go back for. I've always wanted to be a teacher, but that's so much school. I also wanted to go for photography, but that's not very realistic. I've always been good with computers, so maybe I should go for that. I just dunno what branch. But this isn't the right section to talk about that.</p>
<p>Anyway.. any info on the aid is appreciated.</p>
<p>thanks.
Michael.</p>
<p>I take it you are talking about merit aid which you received and then had to maintain a certain GPA to keep it. Are you thinking of taking these classes at the same school that you did in 2005? Do you have to re-apply to the school even to get in, or are you automatically accepted? I would think you should make an appointment with an admissions counselor and ask about their admissions/re-admissions policy and also about the financial aid.</p>
<p>You really need to sort this out with your college, probably with the financial aid office, the registrar's office and possibly the dean of students. Only they will know what their policies are.</p>
<p>It would be the same college. Monroe Community College. (MCC) and I don't know if it was a "meter aid" I just know it paid for everything. I do have to go and sit down with them. It's just so hard to find the time to take off from work. But I should. I just thought maybe someone would know on here, and could save me the hassle. The Financial Aid department is always so busy, and crazy. But a bit of craziness to help low income folks like myself is always a good thing. I never was "kicked out" of the school so I would assume I don't need to reapply. But I really don't know. I am taking a motocyle class there this summer, so I can stop by and ask them when I will already be at the school. I also might just shot them an email and see what they say.</p>
<p>ooh MCC. I took some summer classes there last summer (that's completely irrelevant though lol)</p>
<p>anyway, it really would help if you knew what kind of aid you received. Need-based aid is given by the government/NYS and you only need to maintain a 2.0 to keep it. Merit aid is given by the college and can have whatever requirements they want. Here is a link to mcc scholarships: <a href="http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/finaid/PDFdoc/ScholarshipBrochure.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/finaid/PDFdoc/ScholarshipBrochure.pdf</a> Any of those look familiar? </p>
<p>You should be able to get need-based aid back next year. Scholarships? Maybe not.</p>
<p>Community Colleges are just about the best thing going. Go haunt the financial aid office until they can meet with you. If you qualify for need-based aid, you qualify for it because it is determined by a federal formula. If some of your aid was based on your HS GPA, and required you to maintain a certain GPA in college, well that would be "merit-based" aid, and you might not be able to get it again.</p>
<p>To estimate your financial aid needs, you can run one of the FAFSA calculators at FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans </p>
<p>If you want to apply for any federal aid that your college offers you will need to complete the FAFSA online at FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid</p>
<p>IF you are thinking about becoming a teacher, check to see what classes you can take at MCC that will transfer into a teacher-training program in your state. There may well be some special funding available for this.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>If it was need based aid it is not just your GPA that is a problem. For most federal need based aid you have to have completed and passed a certain amount of the credits you sign up for - 75% I think but would have to check. So to be eligible for the aid again you may have to take some classes on your own dime to get up to that 75% first. Once you have done that you should be eligible for need based aid again. I'm not a financial aid officer so don't know the exact rules. You need to meet with the financial aid department and find out.</p>
<p>If it was merit money you are unlikely to be able to reinstate it at this stage.</p>
<p>edit
looked on the forms at my daughter's school and the rules for retaining federal aid are:</p>
<p>Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements-
1. Not exceed a maximum number of hours to complete the degree program (Table 1); AND,
2. Maintain a cumulative Graduation/Retention Grade Point Average (Table 2); AND,
3. **Successfully complete at least 75% of the total cumulative hours attempted. This includes all courses attempted at any college or university. For example, a student who has attempted a cumulative total of 55 hours must have successfully completed at least 41 credit hours to meet the requirement <a href="55%20X%20.75%20=%2041.25;%20round%20decimals%20down%20to%20whole%20numbers">/B</a>.</p>
<p>The GPA requirement is very low</p>
<p>Total Hours Attempted GPA Required
0-30 1.70
31 or more 2.00</p>
<p>But it sounds like you did not complete most of your 2nd semester so you will be below the 75% requirement and need to put that right first.</p>
<p>Yea, I need to find out. I never graduated high school, or got my GED for that part. I took a test at MCC and did good enough that waved me from taking my GED class. The thing was they were going to just out right give it to me when I got 24 credits. I never got 24 credits though. </p>
<p>So yea... that's all I know about that. I doubt it was a scholarship b/c I didn't finish high school. I think it was just flat out aid because of low income. As far as I know.</p>
<p>I hate how you email them and ask them questions, and they don't answer them in detail without a work around. Here is the email I got back from the aid department.</p>
<p>Hi, </p>
<p>You will need to first apply for a feeral and state waiver. You can
print these forms off of our website at <a href="http://www.monroecc.edu/finanaid/forms%5B/url%5D">www.monroecc.edu/finanaid/forms</a>.
The form is called "Satisfactory Progress for Federal Aid." The other
is called the same except it would be for state aid. Federal aid
includes pell grants, scholarships, and student loans. State aid
includes Tap or Aid for Part Time Students or any state-based grant.
You can also start by applyinfg for federal and state aid (in case you
get approved) on line at FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid and apply for aid uder the
2008-09 academic year. When you get the waiver forms you will need to
fill them out (with documentation supporting your explanation of why you
did not do well academically); allow at least 2-3 weeks for a decision.
If you retake classes that you received an "F" in and get a passing
grade, that should certianly imporve your GPA. </p>
<p>Thanks </p>
<p>-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Panzica [mailto:<a href="mailto:i.thinkdifferent@mac.com">i.thinkdifferent@mac.com</a>]
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2008 12:59 PM
To: Financial Aid
Subject: What do I need to do to get it back? </p>
<p>Hello. I have sent a few emails asking a couple questions about getting
financial aid back. I went to MCC for two semesters back in 2005 and I
didn't do so great. Now at the tender age of twenty two I know that I
need to go back to college and do it not because it's expected of me,
but because I want to for myself. But ... I also know that I made the
problem I am in. My question to you is how can I fix it? This coming
September I want to come back and take a couple of the classes I failed
way back when. I would have to pay for them out of my own pocket. What i
was wondering was, if I do take the classes I failed, they would replace
my old grade right? And if so, would fix my GPA. And let me be eligible
for the aid again right? </p>
<p>Just thought I'd ask. </p>
<p>Kind Regards,
Michael.</p>
<p>Yup, sure looks like you need to meet with these people in person.</p>
<p>Love your note to them though!</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>