Maximum Timeframe Appeal Help!

Paying for College
1

Hey everyone, I’m new to this site and I’ve been pretty stressed out after receiving message in my student center informing me that I have reached the 150% Maximum Timeframe of 90 or more attempted units today. This, didn’t come as a huge shock since I have been trying to find the best degree plan for me and taking a lot of extra courses. But since last year have I switched my undergraduate degree from science to business and it’s far more easier for me and I have been excelling so far. I currently have a 3.6 gpa and only seven classes to go to complete my degree, five, in which I plan to take this semester.

I have already set up a meeting with my academic advisor this morning but I am not sure about my appeal letter and was hoping if anyone had any suggestions or thoughts about it. I desperately need my financial aid to complete my degree so this is incredibly important.

Here is what I have typed so far:

My name is xxx and I have been a student here at xxx since the fall of 2014, and today I am writing to you to please consider extending my financial aid for this year. During my time at xxx, I have struggled with finding a suitable degree path which has led to me taking extra courses. Gladly, after changing my degree plan from Science to Business, I am now more focused than ever. I have even consulted with an advisor and enrolled in the xxx Pathway Program and after pushing myself and putting in an immense amount of dedication and studying, I have made it down to my final seven courses. Four, in which I plan to take this semester. I have worked tirelessly throughout my time here at xxx to be a model student and maintain a respectable 3.65 gpa and with the help of my advisor, I have a clear academic path that will lead me to completing my associate degree by next year and transferring to xxx in the fall of 2019. However, without this extension I will not be able to overcome the financial burden and finish my degree.

I sincerely hope that this appeal and my academic plan demonstrates that I am a devoted student with the drive to graduate and put forth all necessary steps to ensure success going forward.

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely,

2

I’m not sure it’s possible at all for federally or state funded aid to be “extended”.

Publicly funded aid is intended for you to get one degree within a reasonable amount of time.

Perhaps your school will be willing to extend aid, but many have a time limit.

You have 150 credits towards an associates degree? Honestly…your letter is fine, but I would not be optimistic that aid will be extended.

Also, if any of this is Pell or Direct Loan money…keep in mind that the Pell can only be awarded for 12 semesters…and there is an aggregate dollar limit to the Direct Loan. You can’t collect either of these if you exceed the criteria.

And…you still have two additional years to complete your bachelors AFTER you get this associates degree.

3

They are pretty strict about things when you reach the 90 unit limit for an AA. Once you move on to a four year, it resets for a BA and gives you more time. I had this happen to me my last semester of CC and nearly lost FA until I asked them to look up and see if one of the classes of the 90 was considered remedial (at that school remedial math was not counted against the 90).

4

I appreciate everyone’s input!
And no, I don’t have 150 credits just 90 credits which exceeds the amount for an Associate’s degree in business. However, I have enough for just an AA and I was thinking just take that and enroll into a four college in order to restore my financial aid and work towards a bachelor’s. Do you think that would be my best option?

5

I’d say go for it If you have enough transferable credits for a four year.

6

@RedLari Thanks! That’s what I’m planning on doing :slight_smile:

7

Every school is different, with some much more strict than others (based on their experience with their student populations). The key to getting an appeal approved is to show evidence of enrolling in the correct coursework needed to complete your degree in the shortest possible time frame. It won’t always result in an approval, but it’s your best bet. You need a written plan, signed by your advisor - and evidence of enrollment in those courses (if possible at this point in time). You have to stick to the plan, or you will lose aid again before your final semester.