So, I know financial aid questions are a bore. But I am very confused about my financial aid situation and need help! My financial aid office is no use. Thanks in advanced.
In short, I had a very bad year at my college (UCI). Was placed on academic probation by my school. Then… kicked out. I did not have financial aid that year paid out of pocket. So I cut a deal with my school to get re-enrolled. My contract only requires 4 Bs (I got them)… However, my grade may still not be 2.0 (make me able to get financial aid). Also, I’m not technically re-enrolled yet. I have everything submitted for fasfa… But they are confused because I’m not technically a student again at UCI yet… My registrar will prob finalize my re-enrollment hopefully before fall quarter starts.
My questions are… How can I be re-eligible for financial aid?
-I can take a single class out of pocket fall quarter… raise my gpa… Will that affect my aid spring quarter?
-Will fasfa re-reimburse me if I’m below a 2.0 now but raise that grade after fall quarter?
What are some insights and what may be my best course of action?
FAFSA doesn’t grant money for college. It is an application used by federal programs to qualify you and in California for the different grants (Cal Grant).
None of the grants reimburse you for a prior term. If you qualify for aid, it is for that term and the other terms in that financial aid year (fall, winter spring, and sometimes the summer).
The FAFSA is a financial aid application FORM. It is not an entity that awards money. The FAFSA information is used to determine primarily your eligibility for federally funded need based aid.
You will not get reimbursed for fall quarter. If you are not eligible for fall quarter aid...you won't be receiving it at all.
What aid do you think you will be receiving? Why didn't you apply for aid last year?
What is your family income?
Of you do not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress...you will not receive need based aid.
Contact UCI to find out their SAP policies...these vary from college to college.
So I did not apply last year for personal reasons… I just paid out of pocket.
Family income is under 70,000 for a family of 8 with 3 kids in college
So, I may be academically ineligible for fall quarter. I don’t know yet grades aren’t posted for summer. But definitely will be winter and spring…(and can take a class through UCI extension out of pocket to ensure that)… Does not being eligible fall quarter mean no further eligibility?
Basically, UCI SAP policy is “Extenuating circumstance”… Although what happened to me isn’t considered extenuating by whats listed (I wasn’t chained to a bed, dying etc)… I did have legitimate/ serious family issues to deal with.
Also, in addition to not being able to receive reimbursement for the fall term when you get reinstated in the spring, presumably your aid would require you being a full time student. So you wouldn’t get aid for a single course.
I am still considering whether it’s worth it to take one course out of pocket… or enroll as a full-time student out of pocket (if that means I would get reimbursed)… Which according to above comments I won’t be if I am not eligible at the time… So yeah thats off the table. But thanks!
Unfortunately, you are never going to be reimbursed for prior work. If you enroll as a full time student and pay out of money, it is what it is. You will not be reimbursed.
You will have to meet satisfactory academic progress (having a minimal over all GPA of a 2.0) in order to be eligible for aid again.