Financial Aid Nightmare

Paying for College
1

<p>I got an email today from the Financial aid dept saying </p>

<p>Your records indicate that you have only 4 credit hours of graduate level courses which makes you less than half-time for Fall-2013 as a result of you having 4 credit hours your Federal Direct Loan has been canceled. Currently you now have a balance due to the University of $3137.56 that must be paid immediately.</p>

<p>I was desperate to get into Graduate school and when I applied for the fall there wasnt to many classes Graduate Level that I could take. So, I figured I take a easy undergraduate class that I was interested in to supplement the minimum required credit hours 5.</p>

<p>4 Credit Hour Graduate Level
3 Credit Hour Undergraduate</p>

<p>7 Hours total</p>

<p>I thought I was good, BUT NOPE! I get this email. Now the other part of the problem is that the last day to Add a class was August 27th! They send me the email Sept. 5th. </p>

<p>But, There is a graduate level class that I could take that would give me 2 credit hours and I could potential keep my financial aid but I need a professor or higher permission to get me into because I am currently taking the prerequisite class.</p>

<p>What should I do?</p>

<p>Class started just 3 weeks ago, I feel like I still can get into a class without it being a big deal.. I will make up 2x the work JEEZ!!</p>

<p>I Already email The Dean of my Department, assistant dean, my chairperson, his assistant, the professor for the class im trying to add, my adviser. I am going by the financial aid dept tomorrow!</p>

<p>I hope they will give me permission to register for one more class to keep my financial aid and not have to withdraw from the school. I cant afford 3000k bill and I feel like they didnt clearly communicate the stipulation of which classes a graduate student could take and still be eligible for financial aid.</p>

<p>Straight from my college website:</p>

<p>Graduate Students must have at least 5 hours /be part time to receive federal financial aid (9 hours is full time for a graduate student).
Need-based financial aid for graduate students consists of student loans. In addition to demonstrating financial need, general eligibility requirements for financial aid include acceptance for admission as a candidate for a degree or approved program, enrollment of at least a half time basis (5 credits per semester) and status as a U. S. Citizen or permanent resident.</p>

<p>& the student handbook doesnt mention it either. I feel like if I cant into this one class and get my financial aid back for this semester that I will owe them and they just suckered me out of $3000!</p>

2

<p>you’re doing everything you’re supposed to do. i think the dean will help you.</p>

3

<p>Many departments have a line number for an independent study class. Can you think of a project or library research topic that fits with your goals and get a prof to sign off on 1 credit of independent study? Usually there is no problem starting IS classes well into the quarter/semester.</p>

4

<p>Emphasize the fact they didn’t inform you until it was too late to add a class.
Don’t say to them it was not in the student handbook. You are expected to know the rules, using all resources available.</p>

5

<p>The rule was clearly stipulated. Your assumption, that you can substitute a grad calss with an easy undergrad class seems extremely naive. Do not blame the student handbook. Why did not you ask your advisor before registering?</p>

<p>Ask for a late registration for a grad class, work hard, and good luck.</p>

6

<p>I didn’t take a undergraduate level course to put off taking graduate class. I needed to supplement the credit hours to keep my financial aid. But, it doesnt state any where in Undergraduate Student Hand Book, Graduate Student Hand Book, or the course guide. This sort of this is rare and is not clearly communicated. The University is under the assumption that common sense will tell you not to take undergrad classes when you are a Graduate student…LOL they clearly communicate ever other rule/ and regulation.</p>

<p>Live and Learn</p>

7

<p>You can only receive financial aid for classes that lead to a degree … undergrad classes are not part of a grad degree program.</p>

8

<p>Can you come up with the money another way? After all, this wasn’t grant or scholarship money - it was only a loan. It doesn’t make sense to scramble to add a class you don’t really need just so you could take out an even bigger loan. Talk to the financial aid office about potentially putting the $3000 on a payment plan and get a job to pay the bill.</p>

<p>I don’t believe interest is deferred on graduate school loans and at the rate you are taking classes, this $3000 loan will be probably $5000 by the time you graduate and start paying it back.</p>

9

<p>Well, I talk to the dean of my Master degree program and the professor that will add me to his class by sept 18th. I got to get letter from the dean and the professor to take to the registrar and talk to the head guy. Hopefully they will be sympathetic to my situation and register me… Please wish me luck</p>