<p>I am a 5th year student [insert laughter year] at a UC. During my senior year4th yearI was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. My expected diagnosis and treatment effectively sidelined me, preventing me from taking classes during summer 10' and fall 10'. </p>
<p>I returned this past term (Winter 11) and completed 3 of the remaining 6 classes I need to take to graduate. My plans were to complete my last three this current Spring 11 term.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I learned from my financial aid office that I am no longer eligible for any more assistance because I was on aid for 14 quarters (I did two summer sessions because I was a double major). I am a low-income student, my family is dead broke, I am strapped from all of my medical bills and I felt that securing a private loan might be my best option or taking the remaining three classes at a junior college.</p>
<p>But challenges would follow me again. I learned that the community college in my hometown is not offering classes this summer due to state budget woes. Furthermore, I cant get a private loanfor about $3,000because I cant get a co-signer. </p>
<p>I am just flat out worried and becoming depressed with my situation. Its bad enough that I have had to struggle and scrap to get to where I am; mind you I kept a 3.86 GPA and I have been a very active student on campus. </p>
<p>But I just dont see no end in sight. I am lost, I dont know what to do. All that stands in my way is just three classes and I cant even pay for those.</p>
<p>Could you take any classes online, perhaps from another cc campus? Could you complete any of the credits as an independent study? </p>
<p>I am so sorry for your situation.</p>
<p>No these are classes I need to take. One class for my major and the other two are general education courses, so taking these classes as independent study courses is out of question.</p>
<p>I have looked into taking these classes online but my home campus will not accept them for credit. Also, my outstanding debt from undergrad is $6,500. So taking on debt is not an issue for me since I have been fortunate to have gotten this far without much financial obligation.</p>
<p>One option, an option that I am not to fond of, is waiting until the fall term starts up at my local JC and take the classes then. But I want to be done with college all together this summer. I am already upset that I couldn’t finish a simple B.A. degree in four years. There is a lot of frustration involved with my situation but I will try to remain positive. Thank 2collegewego for your feedback.</p>
<p>You know, in the long-term, one semester will not make a difference in your life so if you have to wait until the fall, you’ll be ok although I understand that it’s frustrating. </p>
<p>The one thing I want to recommend is that, if you would be willing to take the classes online, you sit down with the Dean. Call and ask for an appt and explain your situation. Your situation is unusual because the illness is a mitigating factor and they may be willing to help you out and allow you to take them online or as independent study. I understand you don’t have a lot of debt but, in light of your illness, it is an added burden to you to have to pay them back. So I would recommend you tell a dean because that person will have the power to make an exception. I graduated from a huge state school and know of cases where they quietly made exceptions. (One I know was because a person had difficulty taking a class because of an illness and the other was a class that was waived.)</p>
<p>I am going to speak with the director of financial aid tomorrow and see what I might be able to get done with getting help. Does anyone know of any tricks with getting a private loan without a co-signer?</p>
<p>No, I don’t know any tricks but I am suggesting you speak to your academic dean-- not just the dean of financial aid. The academic dean has power regarding what courses fulfill requirements and how outside courses are counted.</p>
<p>First off, I’ll be praying for you and this situation! That’s rough…and you’re strong for jumping back into things. On the side, I take care of people as a nurse assistant, and I’ve had close family friends as well that have MS.
Anyway, I would suggest looking into state grants: my family is dirt broke, too, but need-based aid is everywhere: just have to look in the cracks. My mom is going back to school online, as a matter of fact, and it’s being paid for with state grants because we have no money.</p>
<p>First, check to be sure you can even take them somewhere else. My college required that your last 30 credits be taken at our college, and not anywhere else.</p>
<p>Most private banks are not going to give you a loan without a co-signer. When the school says you are not eligible for any more assistance, do they mean perior, or no more grant assistance? I’ve never heard of there being a time cap (federally) for Stafford loans, just that you can’t get more than the lifetime total (which is $31K for undergrad dependent students).</p>
<p>I would, as you said, talk to your financial aid officer and an academic dean about the problem. I think the 14-quarter limit may be school imposed and you may be able to get a special exception, given how few classes you have left and your illness.</p>
<p>I was also going to suggest a semester off. I know that you want to get done this summer, but in reality those 6 months are going to fly and they won’t mean much to you later in life.</p>
<p>
Sounds like you haven’t really used up any/much Stafford loans. As a senior you could get $3750 from that for one semester’s classes.</p>
<p>Are these upper division classes that you need? If so, you won’t be able to take them at a CC.</p>
<p>This is a problem for those on aid at UCs…the aid cuts out before some have completed their education. They need to make it more clear to students to finish one major and that a double major is a huge risk, but can be done AFTER the first one is complete to avoid such problems. </p>
<p>You need to talk to your FA office. </p>
<p>Also, look into Citibank student loans. I think they will loan a small amount without a co-signer. With the $3500 from fed student loan, a Pell Grant (which you would still get if you’re low income), and a small Citibank student loan, you might have it all covered.</p>
<p>Is there a local UC or Cal State where you could commute to and take these courses?</p>