COA, Excess Hours and Need/Merit Aid

Paying for College
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<p>A little long, but My son is a freshman, is receiving both merit and need-based aid and is an engineering major. This is my second time around so you'd think I'd know this, but I don't, or I might, just not sure. My son, and we are a zero EFC family, just to get that out of the way, never intended to be, but things don't always go the way you plan, has a wonderful FA package with no gap, no private loans, no parent plus loan, just federal loans, work study and a small Perkins loan. His father has vascular dementia, is to the point he can't stay alone, but his health issues aren't bad enough for a nursing home yet, so I work 2 part-time jobs. </p>

<p>Son took 16 hours the 1st semester, it was more of an adjustment for him than he thought it would be, work was a little harder than he anticipated, (I knew better, but he had to learn), grades are fine, no danger of not meeting the GPA, the biggest issue was my son was worried about me, and I think felt somewhat guilty for going away. There is no reason for that, I believe you play the hand you're dealt the best you can and take it from there. But bottom line, because there is no one home but me during the week now, there were ways for me to save money that would not be possible with either kids or husband at home, so although his package required no parental contribution, I suggested he forgo work study 1st semester and just work on adjusting to college and I picked up that gap. </p>

<p>2nd semester rolls around, son is taking 19 hours, all science and math, except for 1 4 hour writing intensive required English class. He is a semester ahead in math and petitioned to join the honors physics class and lab, even though he's not in the honors. This time, I start worrying about the workload and have him forgo work study again and I pick up the slack, which is $1500 per semester. </p>

<p>The college does not send bills to the student's home address nor to the parent's email, unless the student signs the parent up. We did not do this, felt no reason as son gives me his accounts and password anyway, (no I don't insist he just does), so I send the money weekly, check, as the school charges a convenience fee for online payments. Son gets emails, assumes I am aware and just doesn't send or say anything about to me, until if gets time to start thinking about registering for next year when he gets an email saying there is a hold on his account. That one he forwards to me (lol). </p>

<p>I knew, but just didn't think about it, that COA is figured on standard full-time enrollment, 15/16 hours, correct? The excess hours of the 19, plus the fees and the engineering class fees appeared to be what I owed, along with the late charge. Along with the bill, there is a message saying if you want to apply for FA, you must do it 30days before the end of the term as that is the deadline. Because they've met full need, I'm guessing that they can't award more even if the program requires excess hours. Is this correct? </p>

<p>Please note, it is not my intention to ask for additional, even if it is possible this year or next, the school has been more than generous as it is. I had a couple of weeks to come up with the money, so the relatives that my husband stays with during the week, agreed to let him stay a few weekends too, so I was able to get some overtime hours, and then put the balance on a credit card, which I hate, but it's for emergencies, and this qualified. </p>

<p>If son is to graduate in 4 years, he will be required to do other semester of overload, and the COE is upfront about this at the beginning and because some of this scholarships are limited to 4 years, when you put pencil to paper, covering the extra hours is cheaper than the cost for an extra semester, I think. (Anybody have any ideas on how best to figure this, to find out if maybe he should do an extra semester?) </p>

<p>Son has registered for 17 hours next fall, and is planning on working this summer (he didn't last summer, as he watched his father while I worked, but since his dad is used to the arrangement now, we don't intend to change just because son is home) and is planning on working next fall, at least 10 hours a week. We have asked his FA counselor, if at all possible to put work study in next year's award, even though he didn't use it this year. I know some places won't if you don't use it. If they won't he can still find a campus job. </p>

<p>So I've got to plan ahead to cover the excess, I am assuming his work study or job, will cover the amount I paid since he didn't take work study last year and I am guessing that since he is a returning student, his package for next year will have a student contribution which he'll cover out of his summer wages. (this is a guess, I don't know this for sure, the FA office knew he couldn't work last summer and they know he is planning to this summer). I am guessing that since we're still zero EFC, there will not be a parental contribution this time either, meaning the same measures I took to stretch the money last year, I can do next year and cover the excess hours. </p>

<p>However this will be the last year we will be automatic EFC 0, we had one month of the means tested benefits in 2010 that qualified us and I have to file a Schedule C because my second job pays 1099 wages. (Just a note, if one parent is disabled, draws means tested benefits and the 2nd parent can only work at the minimum wage or slightly above level, you lose more than you can make working, which is a sad state of affairs, we actually had about a year when I was working that my husband's health declined because my wages meant he didn't qualify for medical care, but I didn't make enough to pay for all his expenses, so we had to use free clinic) and my concern is that it's the zero EFC that brings about the no parental contribution, so if I lose that, and am maxing out what I can make extra, and he needs more excess hours, is there any consideration or adjusting that can be done to increase the COA? (and I don't think so, but am I wrong?). When you have to budget basically to the penny and cover an ill spouse, you have to plan really far ahead.</p>

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<p>If an extra semester requires another semester of Room and Board, then I doubt it’s cheaper. And some schools won’t give FA for a 9th semester.</p>

<p>Can you take out a Plus loan to cover any immediate short falls? </p>

<p>Can your son work over the summer to help with short falls?</p>

<p>Can he take some classes at a CC over the summer to help lighten his year-long loads (maybe taking some Gen Ed classes this way)?</p>

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<p>I just deleted my whole first response to you…I’m a little confused.</p>

<p>Why does your son NEED to take more than the full amount of courses to graduate in four years? Usually students do not need to do this.</p>

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<p>* I had a couple of weeks to come up with the money, so the relatives that my husband stays with during the week, agreed to let him stay a few weekends too, so I was able to get some overtime hours, and then put the balance on a credit card, which I hate, but it’s for emergencies, and this qualified. *</p>

<p>Since you’ve submitted FAFSA for this current year, you can contact the FA office tomorrow and get a Plus Loan for these shortfalls. It’s not too late for this current year to do that. You can even get the amount that you paid in lieu of work-study back.</p>

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<p>Thumper all of the degree plans for my son’s major have several hours with 17 or 18 hours. I think it is quite common with STEM majors. When I was an education major back in the dark ages we had to do student teaching and that took up a whole semester. You couldn’t fit in another class. Either students just went an extra semester or took 18 hours every semester from the beginning.</p>

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<p>Thumper is well aware of STEM credit req’ts.</p>

<p>The OP needs to get a Plus loan for the immediate shortfall and have her son work summers to help with any future.</p>

<p>Also, the FA office and the school need to be contacted about the degree plans for eng’g and how they require excess credits and the school should be accomodating that COA-wise and aid-wise.</p>

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<p>I think the OPs son needs to talk to his advisor and set forth a course of study that he can complete in the four years without extra course credits. To be honest, taking extra UPPER level engineering courses could end up being more than a little challenging.</p>

<p>While this may not be completely possible (I’m not sure why that is the case…DD was an engineering major, with a second major. She graduated in four years…she did take one summer of O’Chem only…she paid for that)…I would hope that the advisor can set forth the course of study for this student so that any semesters involving extra expense for overages can be avoided as much as possible.</p>

<p>I don’t know the OPs school…but in my experience payment is required if the student exceeds 18 hours in a term…not 16. Maybe this college is different. That is something the OP needs to find out.</p>

<p>Momknowsbest…I also have an education related degree from the Stone Age. Student teaching was ONE of the terms included in the four year plan where I went. Students did not take an extra term to complete their degrees…and I went to a state school. BUT you had to plan well…and get your course sequences lined up…early on.</p>

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<p>OP’s son is at Tulane.</p>

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<p>To the OP…I really would hope that Tulane would be willing to work with your son regarding scheduling and costs…given your extenuating circumstances. I hope it all works out.</p>

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<p>If the school is Tulane:</p>

<p>My son goes to Tulane and has taken as many as 22 credits per semester without being charged for additional credits. He has however taken classes that had additional fees. Did you speak to anyone regarding the additional charges to see if they were in fact charges for the additional credits? I would definately question the charges, (unless the policy is different for students that were accepted in the past few years). </p>

<p>My son didn’t use work study the first year, and they awarded it to him the second year, but I would definately contact the FA aid office to double check on this, as he is now in his fourth year so things may have changed. </p>

<p>Regarding the suggestion to take classes at a community college, Tulane does not accept credits from a CC once you have matriculated, but will accept credits from a 4 year school. My son had to take a year off for medical reasons (following his freshman year), and took some classes at a local 4 year college, and Tulane accepted everything (general ed requirements, not requirements for major). </p>

<p>As far as doing an extra semester,Tulane does not award institutional financial aid for more than 4 years (5 for architecture), so with only a Pell Grant an additional semester would be very expensive.</p>

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<p>Looking at Tulane’s website, it doesn’t appear that it charges extra costs for those extra credits (except course fees). Maybe the info is hidden somewhere? If so, shame on Tulane!</p>

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<p>Yes, son is at Tulane and please note, I’m not complaining about the aid, nor the fact that they didn’t send me a bill or any of that. I knew in the back of my mind that overage hours cost more as my daughter took some excess hours, but they were her choice and her school didn’t meet need anyway, so it was a moot point. </p>

<p>In order to graduate with an engineering degree in 4 years, even if he only takes required courses, he will have to take excess hours, there is no way around it. He knew that going in. Tulane has a policy that no community college courses can count for credit after high school graduation so that is not an option. They do allow a small number of credit hours to be taken at a university. The closest one from home is about 35 miles away, his truck gets about 12 miles to the gallon and gas is close to 4 dollars a gallon here so we’d have to put pencil to paper, figure tuition, fees etc… And if his summer job is not in that town, it’s a whole different story. I have told son to consider doing an online class if there is one that counts and if Tulane would accept the credits. Only 6 of his dual credit hours from high school counted, the only dual credit Tulane accepts are those taken on a college campus with other college students and most of his were done on his high school campus so wouldn’t transfer. I’m not sure on their policy for online classes. </p>

<p>Like I said, I’m hoping not to ask them for extra consideration, they’ve done beyond what I hoped and I hope to figure out a way to make it work with no more loans than absolutely necessary. Was just wondering what how COA is figured for excess hours, and if push came to shove, was it possible to adjust a package due to that. And was it even allowed, I know federal rules are pretty clear cut. Some of his scholarships are not renewable for over 8 semesters, others are and I have no clue if they’d replace any missing money and truthfully hope we don’t have to find out. </p>

<p>Thanks for the responses, we’ll just play it by ear and see how it goes, but he’s fine for now I think. I know the upper level classes can be challenging, I’m thinking that’s why they load the front end. It was statics/vector mechanics that pushed him over last semester coupled with the labs. Next semester he’ll have circuits, mechanics of materials (whatever the heck that is), some kind of math with differential equations, modern physics but no lab, (and why is that different than the 2 semesters of physics w/lab he’s taken so far, I don’t know), products and experimental design with a lab plus a 1 credit hr public service course. Everyone of those are required courses and what is suggested for sophomore fall year. </p>

<p>He has a couple cultural knowledge requirements that are part of the core that might be the ones he can do here in Texas, and they might be available online I’m thinking.</p>

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<p>I know 3 kids who graduated from Tulane as engineering majors and I know none of them took a fifth year. I think what you should do is familiarize yourself with what the requirements are for him to graduate with his major and what the billing is for those extra courses. Something doesn’t add up here.</p>

<p>I know that there are schools that charge for kids taking more than so many credits, or taking so many classes, and I do not know how aid is adjusted for that situation, or COA being adjusted so that aid is allowed for that full amount. But I don’t think that is the case for Tulane from what others are posting here. No one is seeing extra charges for excess courses. You need to call and find out what is happening here exactly. You are working yourself to the bone, so you need to know what you are paying for and how it happens you are paying for this. Is he behind in starting out with this major? I really don’t see why and how he is being charged for extra credits at this school.</p>

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<p>Scribbulus, is it possible that the “extra charges” you owe are NOT for extra credits over a certain amount…but rather are fees for something else (lab fees, dorm damages, etc)?</p>

<p>I can’t find anything on the Tulane site that says anything about additional charges for credit hours exceeding a certain number. If the school doesn’t charge for these additional hours, is there another concern you have?</p>

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<p>My s is about to graduate from Tulane with an engineering degree. He has taken anywhere from 16-21 hours/semester (you have to get special permission to take over 18 hrs) but there is NO EXTRA CHARGE for the extra hours. Granted, we didn’t pay tution thanks to a scholarship, but I just checked with him and he confirmed that there are no fees for extra classes. There ARE however, some lab fees for some of the classes and other fees like activity fees, rec center fees, etc that will be posted on your bill. And if he buys anything at the bookstore or loses and replaces his ID that will show up on his tuition bill as well. </p>

<p>My DS does not allow me to access his Gibson acccount. However, he did authorize permission to set up a parent netpay for accounts receivable, and in addition to my getting an email whenever a bill is generated, we get bills mailed to our home address. Always. I am not sure why you don’t or why your son wouldnt allow that. My DS doesnt want me looking at his grades. But he’s fine with our handling bills :)</p>

<p>He also said that there is no reason, unless a student drops or fails a class required for ther engineering sequence, that any student should not be able to finish in 4 years without having to take extra classes. If a student fails or drops a class and gets out of sequence or misses a mandatory required class it could possibly be an issue, but typically not. Maybe if a student double majors, but its still doable. My s changed his major to Chem E the second semester soph year, so was off sequence. He also changed for chem and history to chem E and psychology. So yes, last summer he took 2 classes at our home tech school (had to be preapproved by the school) but despite the changes in majors and when he decided to do it, he is STILL finishing in 4 years. </p>

<p>Please go onto your son’s gibson account and take a look at the bills and the class schedules. And have him meet with his advisor. Something doesn’t soudn right.</p>

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<p>Ok, turns out that Tulane bills the health insurance to the accounts receivable, however it is not included in the COA. So we’ll know next year, however hopefully I can find a Texas plan that will work with them and if not, I’ll know ahead of time.</p>

<p>Yes, I can log into son’s net pay account and his grades for that matter, he doesn’t care, I just thought I knew what we owed, so didn’t till the end. As you might guess, I have many balls to juggle and drop some from time to time. </p>

<p>Son does plan to graduate in four years, he is not behind in any classes, he has noticed that other students transferred in more hours that count toward their major than he was able to. He couldn’t use the AP classes he would have gotten credit for and he couldn’t use his dual credit classes that were taken on his high school campus. </p>

<p>It is very helpful that Tulane doesn’t charge for excess hours and I got some very interesting and helpful information on summer job wages for the student and some useful stuff I didn’t know from his FA counselor, they are extremely helpful once they get past the really busy time and you can actually speak to them.</p>

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<p>Just want to say how impressed I am that you’re keeping all these balls in the air so well.</p>

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<p>Is it because these are courses that are required for his major? If so…he’s not the only one…and his college isn’t the only one. MOST schools do not allow students to use AP/dual credit courses towards courses that are required for their major at the university. </p>

<p>Glad you found out the cost item…and that it was NOT the cost of extra credit hours for the term.</p>

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<p>Was your son on your health insurance this year? If so, you should let the school know and you may get that reimbursed. That insurance is for kids under or un insured We opt out each year.</p>

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<p>Scribbulus,
The health insurance is added to the bill BUT if your child has his own insurance all you have to do is provide the documentation on line and it automatically removes that fee from your bill. But, you have a window of time to do it in (this was true at my older s’s school too). Does your son have health insurance?</p>