Possible Financial Aid Suspension

Paying for College
1

<p>Hi everyone. Before I go on to explain my situation, I want to let everyone know I ALREADY understand no one can answer this question with 100% accuracy. I'm looking for experiences of people who had a similar situation or just any information that I don't know about that you may be able to give me.</p>

<p>I started my first semester at a community college in the Fall. I took 13 credits. To make a long story shorter, here's what happened:</p>

<ol>
<li>My husband decided to leave our relationship a week before school. We are not divorced or even legally separated because money is tight and other reasons.</li>
<li>This triggered my Bipolar disorder. I had a mixed episode and it almost landed me in the mental hospital.</li>
<li>I'm in my school's disability program. I was supposed to get early registration as an accommodation, but didn't until the spring because my teacher specialist didn't understand autism enough. As a result, I ended up with 2 professors who I had severe communication difficulties with. One even tried to discriminate against me because of my accommodations.</li>
<li>Because of all of the stress, I was having autistic meltdowns a lot and could not function, and withdrew from two classes at first. I ended up withdrawing from all classes eventually. The last class I withdrew from was only at the 5 week mark. </li>
</ol>

<p>During this time, I didn't even think about financial aid. First of all, my school was late with everything, so I never received my pell grant. I had a fee waiver for poor students, and I was recently informed that won't be affected. I'm freaking out because I called the financial aid office, and the woman said I would definitely be suspended, and I might even get an F instead of a W? I withdrew from all classes WAY before the deadline, it's an official withdraw, and I had 3 A's and 1 B when I withdrew. </p>

<p>Now, I'm freaking out. I tried to look at the policy to see if I would be suspended or just given a warning first. I'm not sure if it's an automatic policy to just give a warning first or something. I'm treating this scenario as if I will get suspended, so I have a few questions:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I only saw a school counselor 2 weeks into the term to talk about my issues. It's documented, but I never followed up because I was extremely suicidal and anxious. He recommended I withdraw from at least the 2 problematic classes if nothing changed with the professors. Would I need a note from him to prove I had extenuating circumstances? I told him I was very suicidal, coping in bad ways (drinking, thinking about self harm, about to to to the mental hospital, etc.)</p></li>
<li><p>I withdrew before the deadline and I had good grades when I withdrew. For anyone with experience, will this possibly be taken into consideration?</p></li>
<li><p>I'm autistic and I have accommodations. On my student education contract, it says specifically to withdraw from classes if I'm overwhelmed. Does it seem like this could be taken into consideration?</p></li>
<li><p>If I am suspended for the spring, and I have a successful appeal, does that mean I won't get aid again until the Fall, or will I be able to receive my pell at the end of spring?</p></li>
<li><p>I'm taking 16 credits in the spring. Part of my own little "action plan" is to be in therapy, on medication for my Bipolar, and take online classes to reduce anxiety. I will be seeing a therapist at the end of December. 4 out of the 5 classes are also online. Does it help to have this plan of mine? I think I will be fine now. I had my breakdown, and I'm usually a good student. </p></li>
<li><p>If I somehow just get a warning, would I get suspended at the end of spring? I had 13 attempted units that were all withdrawn. I now have 16 attempted units for the spring, and I will be passing all of them. One class, worth 3 credits, is the exact same class I withdrew from in the fall. The issue is I will just be shy of the 67.7% completion of cumulative units, even IF I pass everything and that retaken class is counted. If this helps, I'm also planning on taking summer classes. At least 10 units in the summer. </p></li>
<li><p>Has anyone been through this with a community college and just gotten a warning at first? What is your experience? Does everyone get a warning first, or does it depend on the school?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I'm sorry I have so many questions. The lady at the financial aid office made it seem like it's going to be a for sure thing (suspension, not warning), but they have made so many mistakes with my questions and gave me false information already, that I don't know what I should be doing right now. AS OF right now, nothing is suspended. She said the "system" will catch it at the end of December and I will know. It would be helpful if everyone could only give me supportive advice and encouragement, as it took me a whole year to prepare for college and everything that happened has made me feel like a complete failure. </p>

2

<p>Actually, I forgot to add: I’m retaking 2 classes, I think. My speech class is with the exact same professor. My English class is still the same class, but with a different professor. I’m not sure if this matters. If they both count, I would be “retaking” a total of 7 units… </p>

3

<p>Does your school review financial aid eligibility relating to your academic progress after each semester? Have you reviewed the written policy (this should clear up the misinformation)? My school reviews at the end of the academic year, and for freshman we only review course completion, GPA is not reviewed until you are a sophomore. So yes, every school can have a different satisfactory academic progress policy. </p>

4

<p>Well, it says this:</p>

<p>“For purposes of this policy, an academic term is defined as any point within the academic year that units were
attempted. For example, a student attempts 3 units at Pasadena City College during a summer session but does
not return the subsequent Fall or Spring semesters is still considered to have attended one (1) term during an
academic year. Academic progress is reviewed once, at the end of an academic term and units are calculated
cumulatively. Regardless of the student’s status in the current term, the previous term(s) are evaluated.”</p>

<p>Yes, I found their policy finally. I was having trouble finding it, so that’s why. </p>

<p>It also said this:</p>

<p>“Example 1: What happens if I complete less than 67% of my attempted units, or do not meet the
minimum GPA?
If you complete less than 67% of your attempted units and/or do not meet the minimum GPA, and have
previously been making satisfactory academic progress, you will be placed on “warning.” Students on
“warning” who are otherwise eligible may receive student financial aid for that semester.
Students on warning must meet the SAP requirements the following semester or they will lose eligibility
for student financial aid. Students may receive only one semester of warning status.”</p>

<p>I really hope I’ll be placed on a warning. It also said that I just have to meet the SAP requirements for that semester if I got a warning. The thing is, the fall semester was my first term, so I have no previous record. It only says if you’ve been previously making satisfactory academic progress. It also says that all terms are considered, so even if I did really good and got 100% of my classes passed, I still wouldn’t meet the 67% standard. This sucks, but I think I might have good proof considering I saw the school psychologist… </p>

5

<p>I think you definitely will want to inquire about how they treat first-semester students regarding their policy. </p>

6

<p>I’m not sure if I’ll get a clear answer from them, because everyone always seems to give me the wrong or a different answer, but I’ll try. If worst comes to worst, at least I have my fee waiver…</p>

7

<p>Always bring it back to the policy written down. If you get conflicting responses you need to speak to someone higher up. </p>