Financial Aid Probation/Transferring schools

Paying for College
1

<p>Hello- I currently attend the University of Arizona as an undergrad. I receive full financial aid (Stafford and Pell) as an independent student. I had a rough first year back at school (I am in my mid 20s) and didn't quite make a high enough GPA, my cumulative is around 1.9 I believe. I had my financial aid suspended over the summer, but I appealed it, which was approved, so I guess I'm technically on a "probationary" semester. Basically, I was working too much and not able to keep up with my studies.</p>

<p>Due to U of A's high tuition even with in-state tuition, I have decided to transfer to a community college in Wyoming to finish up my Gen Eds and get my Associate's, as well as Wyoming residency, and then transfer to the University of Wyoming, with in-state tuition about 1/3 of what U of A's is.</p>

<p>My financial aid is currently being processed at the community college in Wyoming, (LCCC), but I had a couple of questions regarding my financial aid.</p>

<p>1- Will my financial aid "probation" status at U of A affect my ability to receive financial aid at LCCC in the Spring? I hate gen eds with a passion, and I don't think my GPA will be stellar this semester, but it should be at least a 2.0. As long as I at least make a 2.0 this semester, will I be okay in terms of a possible financial aid suspension or is it irrelevant since I am transferring schools? At a new school do you basically start with a clean slate in terms of federal financial aid?</p>

<p>Also, a an edit for more detail- I just found the email regarding my appeal approval over the summer and this is what it says:</p>

<p>Your appeal has been approved and you have been placed on Probation 1. Students are monitored every term (fall/spring/summer) for improvement and/or adherence to the SAP Standards. If you fail to meet SAP standards two more times, at any point during your career at the University of Arizona, your financial aid will be suspended. Suspension means that you are no longer eligible for federal or institutional financial aid.</p>

<p>So my understanding is even if my GPA is barely 2.0 (I'm taking 15 units, all very writing intensive courses- Art History, Ancient Athenian Democracy, Intro to Women's Studies, Policy of Renewable Natural Resources and Economics) I won't face a financial aid suspension... that's my understanding anyway, so regardless of what happens this semester it will not affect my ability to receive aid at my new school, correct?</p>

2

<p>No you don’t start with a clean slate. Every school has to have a SAP (satisfactory academic progress) policy for determining eligibility for financial aid. It will usually include a cumulative GPA minimum, a requirement that that you have successfully completed a certain % of all credits attempted. Usually this seems to be between 67 - 75% depending on the school. It will include all credits attempted at any school including all withdrawals, any Fs etc. So your record from your current school (and any other schools you have attended) will be important. And there is usually a maximum number of credits attempted in the SAP (generally around 150% of the hours required for the degree you are pursuing).</p>

<p>The school should have their SAP available for you to see. If you do not meet their SAP then your aid may be denied and you would have to appeal.</p>

<p>It is quite hard to attain residency for tuition purposes while attending a school in a different state.Have you checked into the residency requirements for Wyoming?</p>

3

<p>I have checked into residency requirements in Wyoming. Since I am an independent student and completely moving myself to Wyoming, will be employed there, have my vehicle registered there, be registered to vote there, and not simply going to school there and living there part of the year, I will be able to have Wyoming residency for tuition purposes in a year.</p>

<p>So even though the school I am transferring to is a community college, they will still look at my current GPA for financial aid purposes?</p>

<p>I looked on their website, and they say this regarding SAP:</p>

<p>“Students who have never previously attended LCCC will be considered in good standing. However, transfer credits from other institutions (if any) will be counted toward the maximum time frame criteria.”</p>

<p>My issue wasn’t maximum time frame- it was my GPA being 1.999, and not hitting the minimum of 2.0</p>

4

<p>You must meet the SAP requirements in order to continue to receive federal aid. It does not matter where you attend school, the requirements are still the same.</p>

<p>Your best bet would be to talk to the financial aid office at your new school as the 1.99 gpa could keep you from receiving federal aid.</p>

5

<p>I know I must meet SAP requirements, but my understanding is they vary from school to school. So if my new school is saying as long as I have not previously attended that school, I start in good standing, I should be okay, correct?</p>

6

<p>Sounds like it, though only the school can tell you for sure. Could be that you will be ok 1st semester but will have to make sure you meet SAP for your 2nd. They will take into account all your credits and cumulative GPA, so keep on top of it.</p>

7

<p>Awesome, thanks for the advice. I have an email into a financial aid advisor there, so fingers crossed!</p>