<p>So after this semester, I feel like a complete failure. On top of that, I'm depending on financial aid to get through school, but because of transferring/adjusting and just being hopeless in certain classes, I'm probably not going to meet RAP requirements for next year.</p>
<p>I got a 2.75 GPA first semester, with one class withdrawn (math). I'm looking at failing one class this semester (the math class I tried again and was doing fine in until the last exam and final), and I withdrew from another class early in the semester because of how badly it was run (if I need to elaborate, I will). Because of this, I probably won't meet the 75% completion requirement to receive financial aid next fall.</p>
<p>About the math class: I really tried my hardest and was doing fine in the class until the last few weeks, which was after it was too late to withdraw. The class is run online in a math-lab type style, so there is no formal instruction. I did my best on quizzes and the first few exams, and I still have a B average on the quizzes. I got Bs and Cs on all the exams before the last ones. I went to help sessions regularly and really thought I would make it with a C in the class, so I'm really disappointed in myself for letting this happen especially since it's my second time taking the course.</p>
<p>My GPA is fine besides the math class I struggled in. I have 2 As, a B+, and a B, so I'm pretty sure that I'll be way over the 2.0 minimum. Is there any way I can fix the mess I got myself into? Or should I count on not getting Financial Aid for next year?</p>
<p>Do you mean SAP? You will need to contact your financial aid office to find out what their policies are.</p>
<p>Kelsmom - Yeah I meant SAP. My school refers to it as RAP (reasonable academic progress).</p>
<p>I contacted the Financial Aid department and the person I spoke with couldn’t tell when my SAP review would be completed, just that it would be over the summer. Once it is completed, I have three weeks to submit an appeal since I’m 99% sure I won’t meet the requirements. </p>
<p>The thing is, I’m afraid my appeal will be denied since these aren’t really extenuating circumstances…it’s just me dropping and withdrawing from classes. If my appeal is denied, then I won’t get Financial Aid and I won’t have any way of trying to meet SAP requirements since I can’t pay for school. Is this a hopeless case or am I overreacting?</p>
<p>Because I do not know the particulars of your school’s policy, I can’t advise you personally. I can give general advice, though. I always tell students that they should plan for the worst, but don’t obsess over what “might” happen. In other words, what would you do if you lost your aid for a term? Could you pay for a semester without aid? If not, what would you do? Keep in mind that schools won’t reinstate your aid just because you sit out a semester or two. What they generally expect is to see you take classes and complete them … you would have to prove yourself in order to regain aid eligibility. </p>
<p>Schools know that students have bad semesters, and many are willing to give students a chance to redeem themselves. The thing is, though, there are federal guidelines that must be followed related to SAP, as well. Schools who allow the warning or probation period will put you on a plan of some sort that you must follow in order to keep aid. If you don’t comply, you’ll lose it automatically.</p>
<p>Hang in there. Think seriously about how you will word an appeal if one is necessary. What will you do differently in the future that would persuade the school to give you another chance? Meeting with an academic advisor is a good idea, and it will show that you have taken initiative.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice, it is definitely appreciated.</p>
<p>I don’t know if you’ll be able to answer this question, but I realized that this may be a way to fix the problem before getting aid cut. If I were to take 6 credits over the summer (1 class each session) and successfully complete those courses, it would bring me up to completing 75% of my attempted credits…if it is considered part of the credits I attempt for this school year. If I can afford it and it works out, it seems like it would definitely keep me from losing aid. I tried looking on the FA site for my school to see if summer classes were counted in the current school year or the next school year but couldn’t really find anything. Would you happen to know? Thank you again!</p>
<p>It varies by school, so I can’t answer that question. However, it would get you on track for completion, which would only help your case if you have to appeal.</p>