I went to a school in early 2015 for a couple of weeks. The finaid I was applying for was never approved. I ended up dropping out a week past drop/add. Now I owe the entire term balance. How is this possible? I need that transcript for that term.
You apparently went several weeks into the term without a final FA package. You should never have set foot on campus without the FA package in hand that would allow you to attend. Since you did decide to attend without the FA finalized, you should have talked to the FA office about when you would need to drop to avoid paying for the term – sounds like you didn’t. Maybe someone else can tell you who to go grovel to in order to get some or all of the cost waived – but don’t blame the college (and if you come off sounding like it is their fault, no one will be inclined to help you).
The school sets the rules for when they will refund the charges, and really has nothing to do with financial aid. You ‘bought the ticket’ to the school when you registered, and you have to pay for the ticket. You can appeal and tell the school the FA wasn’t approved and that’s why you couldn’t go. They may cut you a deal.
What financial aid were you “applying for” after you started attending classes?
Once you accepted the enrollment spot, you were obligated to pay. You dropped your classes AFTER the drop add date. Most schools are very clear on the amount you can receive back if you drop,classes…and for many AFTER the drop add date is ZERO money back. That means you would owe the costs for the full term, whether you completed it…or not.
Most schools require payment prior to enrollment…or a payment plan. What did you do to secure your registration at this school while you were taking classes?
If you had a documented medical reason for dropping out, you might be able to appeal.
But this is a lesson for you, you don’t just drop classes or drop out without knowing the (financial) consequences.
I think the best lesson is don’t enroll if your FA isn’t in place.