Confused about "Maximum Time Frame" financial aid issue

Paying for College
1

Hello guys!
Maybe you can help me out…

I just completed all my courses for an AA degree at a community college (Foothill college in California). I did this all online majoring in Audio Technology. Toward the end of my degree, though, I actually ran into an issue where I went over the Maximum Time Frame for financial aid BUT alas I completed all the classes this past June (Spring semester) and I petitioned for graduation. They said that I should get my diploma in the mail in November.

While I was working on my Audio Technology major, the counselor got me interested in taking their Graphic Design online degree. I registered for classes and had an ed plan set up for this new AA degree BUT when it came time to have them review my FAFSA, the financial aid department told me that I had gone over the limit completely for Foothill College so basically I wouldn’t be able to ever receive aid there again.

Still wanting that Graphic Design degree, I THEN found a different school that offered it online. I registered, sent them my FAFSA and they said the same exact thing. That I was disqualified because of the Maximum time frame issue. They told me that I was disqualified because in my application to their school I stated that I had already earned an AA degree.

SO my question is: is this normal for schools to deny you financial aid if you are wanting two Associate degrees? I was actually under the impression that if you graduate and wanted to start a new AA degree then your financial aid amount would start over (I know there is a lifetime limit on financial aid but I’m not even near that limit).

I guess what I’m asking is:

  • Does stating that you already have an AA degree in one major, typically stop you from getting aid if you start a new major at a different school?
  • I petitioned to graduate and I am waiting on my diploma from my first school, so am I officially considered a graduate?

All I want to do is get one more degree so that I have two of these majors under my belt. It’s all so confusing and I feel like I’m going in circles with these schools.
Can any of you help me out? :-/

2

Once you are overtime for an AA, that’s it for studies at the AA level. You will have to pay for any more classes to finish a first AA or to get a second AA on your own.

Get a job. Study part-time.

3

I went to a CC in California and I faced a maximum time frame issue my last semester there. I know that once you have passed that 90 unit limit or have earned an AA there is no more FA at the CC level. FA however does reset when you move on to a four year for a BA.

4

You can transfer to a 4-year school and receive need based aid, but you won’t receive it for another associate’s degree. You can get a 2nd AA degree if you pay out of pocket. Otherwise, it’s time to move on to a 4-year college.