I am currently unable to ineligible to receive financial aid (federal grants) because I exceeded the amount of units (90 units), I have taken more than 90 units in the community college I am currently attending. “You may receive aid until you have attempted 90 semester units (134 quarter units) of college credit. This includes units attempted within the SDCCD and all transfer units accepted by the SDCCD,” My GPA as of now is 3.5. The main reason why I took so many courses is because I was very indecisive as to what major I should stick with. I have since then decided what major I want as I explored my options during the first year or so. I have since then met with a counselor and created a good schedule that would ensure that I will be able to transfer to a 4 year institution by Fall 2018 Now I am on my last year of community college and plan to transfer to a 4 year institution by next fall 2018. Another minor reason as to why I took so many units was because I ended up in a hospital due to unforeseeable illness last year which forced me to drop most of my classes as it was close to impossible to catch up on work, my schedule didn’t allow me to complete the work. I am now in a difficult financial situation and I am in need of financial aid in order to complete the classes in the following semester (spring 2018).
It seems I need to send a letter of appeal along with an explanation as to why I have taken more than 90 units. I need to ensure my appeal isn’t denied but I feel It will as I have no real extenuating circumstances I can document. This problem was mostly because of my indecisiveness along with some hospital visit I no longer have proof of (last year/ lost documents related to this visit). What can I state in my appeal letter in order to ensure I receive aid or at least increase my changes it wont be rejected? It’s been mostly grants and scholarships that I have received (no real loans so far but It seems I will have to ask for loans given my difficult financial situation).
you may win the battle with your appeal, but you are going to lose the war meaning that you will not have enough financial aid to complete your bachelors.
How many courses do you need to complete the associates? is there any way to pay out of pocket, take what you only need and move on.
Is there anyway that you can transfer now. It takes 60-66 credits to complete an associates. You have accumulated over 90 credits. If you have a program that will allow you to finish in the spring, you may very easily have way more than 100 credits or enough to almost have a bachelors…
It is time to move on. If your appeal is approved, it is just a matter of time before this problem arises again at the 4 year school. By that time you will have exhausted all of your aid with no recourse
Receiving financial aid does not allow you the luxury of continually being indecisive and simply taking courses. What ever degree you are on track to complete now, that is what you need to do. Most state aid is only good for 4 years (at either a 2 or 4 year school). Pell is limited to 6 years.
Will your target university receive your 90 units? If you go over a certain amount of units, some schools (4 yr) may not be willing to accept you.
You need to transfer. @sybbie719 would know better than most of us.
You mentioned federal grants. Those grants are strict and there is not a lot the local CC can do. Did you not know that the money and time would run out? The paperwork, that they give you (and have you sign) when you accept the money, mentions that. You have to read what you are accepting when you sign your paperwork.
You’ve stuck yourself in the position of having to pay on your own.
I took 9 units of summer classes. I am currently taking 13 units of class this Fall semester and I plan to take 6 units that remain for the Spring semester. Is there any way to receive direct subsidized loans instead? Or does this 90 units limit apply for federal loans as well? I am now currently focused on my current major, which is computer science, and plan to transfer by next fall 2018. I do not see a way I could transfer right now. I only need to complete the 4 courses (13 units) and 2 courses(6 units) in spring to be able to transfer. I haven’t checked the exact total amount of units taken to so far but will be able to do so by morning.