I’m going to have to withdraw from one of my classes this semester bringing my total credits from 12 to 9. How will this affect Bright Futures?
Will I have to take another class to meet the requirements? If I do, when do I have to take it for the credits to count? I read BF doesn’t pay for summer classes… Is taking a class this upcoming summer my only option?
Also, this is my first semester of college.
-Thanks in advance
Why don’t you talk to your financial aid office who knows the rules?
They can hopefully explain if there are any other consequences of dropping below full time (reduction in other aid/loans that you will then need to pay back, whether you can still live in your dorm, if you can keep your university health insurance).
BF is paid by the credit. If it is before the drop date, those credits will not be paid. BUT, you have to be full time for BF and you may receive a warning that you’ve used your one ‘exception’ semester and the next mistake you’ll lose BF. You cannot ‘make up’ the credits in the summer, but if you take 15 or 18 credits next semester those credits will be paid for.
Can you take an incomplete and then make up the class? If you do, they won’t pay for it the next time because they have already paid for it.
As Madison says, make sure dropping below full time doesn’t change your other financial aid. I’d go to the FA office before dropping the class.
And/or see your major advisor.
The major adviser won’t know about BF. Usually schools have one (or more) people who deal with nothing but BF and know all the rules. There are a lot of rules. You can also call the Bright Futures agency and ask them directly, but they are going to tell you the rules, not all the exceptions and how to keep it.
A guy I know didn’t take enough credits or the right kind and only had 11. They gave him an exception. When he screwed up again (I don’t know if it was grades or not taking enough credits again) he was out. Once you lose BF, it doesn’t get reinstated.
I meant, see your major advisor before dropping the class to go over what your concern or problem is with the class (not to ask about impact on Bright Futures). As in, do you need some tutoring or if it’s math can you drop to a less difficult course or can you add a 3 credit course that starts part way through the semester or a winter session course.