I got sick during my second year at a university and ended up having emergency surgery. I provided the school with all the hospital documents, but they billed me for that semester anyway. And, although I signed the withdrawal form, they said I checked the wrong box and teachers were not notified of my withdrawal, and I ended up with failing grades for that semester. I have all the documents from the hospital, but the school refuses to do anything about the grades or the financial block. I decided to start all over, and have been paying out of pocket to attend another a community college. I currently have all “A” grades for the last 2 semesters in this school, where I am majoring in physics and engineering. The problem is that I am not interested in getting the grades from that last school transferred to my new school, as that would damage my current perfect GPA. However, I also can’t afford to continue to pay out of pocket for my classes. I am wondering if there is something that can be done so that my present school can give me financial aid.
You need to contact your first school. Until this financial situation is reconciled, you won’t get your aid.
How much do you owe? Do you have copies of the forms you completed for the university with the “wrong box” checked? When they said they would not change this…what did they tell you?
When did this happen? One year ago? Two years ago? In other words, how long have you known about this!
Also, keep in mind…if you plan to ever attend a four year school tocomplete your bachelors…you will be REQUIRED to provide transcripts from all colleges you have attended…whether you want to or not. In fact, I’m actually surprised your CC didn’t have a question on their application like “have you ever attended college elsewhere?”
So…in addition to getting the financial issues resolved, you also should plan to be honest about your college enrollment in the future.
You have to provide any new college with all previous transcripts. They don’t give you the option. They want to see your record. And they also check for disciplinary actions and dismissals. Also any new school will only calculate gpa based on classes at their own school anyway.
You will have to pay or clear it up. Perhaps by using an attorney if you withdrew properly.
There is a clearing house where schools can look up previous college transcripts, so you cannot hide anything when applying to another school for transfer or for FA.
Some colleges may let you explain your situation. Since you have hospital documentation, you have proof. You must provide all documentation from any previous schools, or you risk losing money and admission.
Even with proof of a valid medical reason for withdrawal, it’s possible the school still won’t provide a refund. Many schools offer tuition insurance to cover this type of thing, and without the insurance, a student who withdraws for any reason will still be expected to pay for the semester, sometimes on a pro-rated basis depending on how many weeks into the semester the withdrawal took place. The school should have a written policy that covers all of this, and if OP hasn’t yet become familiar with that policy, she should.
How much is it?
Agree with Belknappoint. Schools,have a policy on refunds for tuition.
How far into the term were you when you withdrew? Full payment might have be expected anyway.
The payment issue is separate from your grades. With a proper medical withdrawal, you would have had W’s for all of your classes instead of F grades.
I’m guessing that you didn’t meet SAP (satisfactory academic progress) because of your F grades that last term. That would affect your receipt of need based aid…but only if you don’t satisfy SAP at your current school.
The issue of payment is a completely separate issue. It is very possible,that you owe full payment on that term. I have to ask…usually students pay for,the term before it starts. Didn’t you domthismformthat last term? How is it that you have an unpaid balance?