<p>Last year I dropped out of UCSD because I was not very focused and I was having trouble seeing how my education was going to benefit me. I was drifting through many different liberal arts majors and wasn't sure where I was going to end up career wise. I was going to school because it was the next step, not because I really wanted to go. </p>
<p>Not a smart decision.
I know that now.</p>
<p>Being out of school has just made me realized how important college really is. I never got the chance to take a programming class in college, but I have spent all my new found free time learning Python and now I am thrilled with programming. It reminds me much of the one class I loved in college, formal logic, which I didn't know how to translate into a career. I would love to go back to school for a computer science, because I am now seeing how valuable college is when you are working for a STEM major.</p>
<p>I wish I was focused from the very beginning,
but now I want to go back to school for me, instead of my parents or society's expectations.</p>
<p>However, I feel like a messed up big time financially.
I was receiving hefty grant & loans from my FASFA, which I don't know if I will be eligible for any more.</p>
<p>Could someone give me some advice as to how dropping out will affect my financial aid ability?</p>
<p>I have read that I will probably need to pay for community college on my own for a couple semesters to prove that I am committed before receiving any aid, and that I will likely not be able to make it back to UCSD.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>First of all, focus on the fact that you will be going to school for a purpose now … not just because you feel you should go to school. That is a great thing, and it will serve you well. In your time away, you found something that interests you, so you should be thankful for that time to reflect and find a passion.</p>
<p>As far as the financial aspect goes, it depends. How many years were you in school? Did you receive Pell during that time? For how many semesters? Did you receive Stafford loans? How much? Are you in default on your loans, or have you been paying them back? Did you fail your classes, or did you just have a low GPA? Or did you withdraw?</p>
<p>UCSD is on a quarter system, and I was there for fall/winter/spring my first year and dropped out during the middle of fall quarter my second year.
Each quarter I had been receiving about 4000 for the Cal grant, 1500 for Pell grant, and 1500 in subsidized loans.</p>
<p>There is a 6 month grace period to repay back the loans. I am still in my grace period for my loans, which I will have to start paying back because I did not enroll for spring quarter.</p>
<p>During my spring quarter freshmen year I was put on academic probation and fall I did not pass even one of my classes. </p>
<p>At this point I don’t think I UCSD was really the right fit for me, but I would like to hear how my fin aid will be affected if I attend community college and then transfer.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>You need to take these questions to the financial aid and admissions offices of the CCs that you might attend. They see this kind of stuff all the time, and will have good advice for you.</p>
<p>Definitely talk to the CCs. It is not productive to worry … you need to find out what WILL happen, not what might happen.</p>