<p>So here is the situation, during my freshman year of college I screwed up my second semester and got terrible grades. I basically screwed up my scholarship/grants and almost lost them. I came to the school during the summer to show them I can get and maintain good grades. So they gave me a grace semester to show that I can still achieve them. However, this is where the problem comes in. I was put on Contingent aid, I took classes to continue in my major, without trying to retake the classes I did poorly in. This eventually came back to haunt me as I didn't have a strong enough foundation to do well enough in them, and am currently in risk of losing my scholarships/grants for good.</p>
<p>Now this is where I don't know what to do, do I just wait the semester off and go to a state school in my home state, or do I apply for loans and try to finish my education here.</p>
<p>If anything isn't clear enough I can calrify things or explain in a much more explicit manner.</p>
<p>I would say if you’re not doing well academically anyway, don’t dig yourself into debt. I think a semester off might be a good thing for you. It’ll give you a chance to re-evaluate what you really want, what your priorities are, what your challenges are in college. Maybe get a job and get your applications in for next fall at the public univ. (Priority deadlines may be as early as February, so check with the schools you think you might attend.)</p>
<p>Just going along as you have been doesn’t seem wise, and especially not borrowing heavily to do it.</p>
<p>Have you lost your scholarships or are you close to losing them? If you have lost your scholarships, I suggest you find a lless expensive school and finish your education there. If you are hanging in there by a strand, take some basic, lowerl level courses, minimum class load and focus on getting your grades over the loss line.</p>
<p>You really need to talk to your college staff directly – there is going to be an Academic advisory office somewhere who deals with students with these sorts of challenges every semester. They (and only they) can look at where you have been, where you are, and what your next options can be. </p>
<p>Your best bet is to schedule a meeting ASAP (or do this by humble email or telephone call if you are home on break). </p>
<p>Sometimes colleges will send a rather nasty “Shape up” letter but will still keep the door open for the student who is polite, sincere, and proactive about problem solving. The only way for you to know if that is your college’s way is to directly contact college staff. </p>
<p>I strongly suggest you spend a few minutes visualizing yourself washing cars or flipping burgers before you call/email so that your mind is clear about what’s on the line here. Don’t assume you can easily transfer to a state school if you have low GPA baggage. Don’t assume your local Community College has mid year openings either (many don’t right now). </p>
<p>Your best bet may be to change majors. Here’s why: a college usually offers financial aid for four years. You’ve burned up part of that four years. If you go back and start over with those first semester courses, then it will take more than four years to finish – and that last year will be 100% on you (zero financial aid). So, look for a major that you can finish in three years from today. </p>
<p>Deciding that you are changing to an easier major may make the college feel you are on a more manageable path. </p>
<p>Anyway, for this one, the ones who can tell you about your options are employed on campus – and not here on an internet forum. Good luck.</p>
<p>If you fail to meet satisfactory academic progress & lose financial aid eligibility, sitting out a semester does not mean you can come back & get aid. If you lose eligibility & go elsewhere for a term, and if you do well, you can appeal at your old school. They may choose to grant the appeal based on the transfer grades … but then again, they may not. They may say sorry, but you will have to foot the bill for a semester at our school & show us you can do well here before we’ll start approving financial aid for you again.</p>
<p>You need to talk to the financial aid department at your school to discuss your situation.</p>
<p>For the last two posts thank you so much. It was the response I was looking for, it’s been my major that’s been stopping me (also that was my plan however I just wanted to see if anyone else agreed with it). However I’ve talked to my financial aid office, and they said I am not kicked out of school but I lost financial aid for next semester, and I can still receive it next year based on my grades. So my goal was to take level 100 courses in my new major and make sure to get the grade required of me to get financial aid next semester.</p>