<p>First of all let me apologize for my longwindedness but I feel I have to explain this situation thoroughly so you guys can have an accurate idea of whats going on.</p>
<p>I am a 31 year old who did not sign up for selective service. The reason being, plain simply, I was unaware. How is this possible you ask? I went to one of the worst high schools in New York and was just left unprepared for college and my future. Long story short, I haven't been able to get any meaningful jobs because of this and I decided to do something.</p>
<p>Recently I have tried to enroll in school and was told by an adviser to try to enroll in selective service but as I know now there is an age limit to when you can sign up and I've passed it by a few years. So I was rejected. No selective service, no financial aide or federal grants. I was then told by my financial aide adviser to write a letter to the powers that be at the school to see if they can push it through which didn't happen.</p>
<p>My only option now is a loan... or is it? This is my question guys. Is there something else I can do? And if not, whats the criteria for securing a student loan to pay the full amount for school? Did I also mention I was trying to attend Devry which charges a ****load of money?</p>
<p>Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you for your time.</p>
<p>If your school rejected your letter, you do not have any recourse. The law is clear, and schools may not award aid to those who have not registered for selective service. If the school did not think your reason was acceptable they are not allowed to give you federal aid.</p>
<p>You are still able to apply for a private educational loan. You just cannot receive federal title IV aid (including Stafford loans).</p>
<p>sueinphilly, I guess from your point of view it can look like my fault. I don't see it that way. If I was not made aware during high school than where else could I have gotten this information?</p>
<p>Anyway that's besides the point. Do you guys have any knowledge of private loans as far as who offers the best loans?</p>
<p>Just curious, which program at Devry are you going to take?</p>
<p>my son got a letter in the mail around his 18th birthday about SSS registration. Maybe you did too?
It's possible it was mistaken for junk mail and tossed.</p>
<p>ouch, the second such post in the past week of so. To all of those who just expect an 18 year old to asborb a law by divine intervention -- please explain how.</p>
<p>California has not joined the SSA connection (and probably never will). Our official district ed policy is to NOT inform seniors about the need to register.</p>
<p>Many states, including NY, did not adopt the driver's license-SSA connection until well after the OP's 18th birthday. Only 36 participate, meaning 14 do not.</p>
<p>
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If you hadn't gone to get a loan, you would have never known.
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</p>
<p>Entirely possible. How does one just "know" about laws?</p>
<p>Reading newspapers and watching tv?
Talking to other people?</p>
<p>I realize you don't get issued a book of laws when you turn 18. </p>
<p>I don't know how we found out about it, but somehow I knew it had to be done. And we got info in the mail.</p>
<p>He can try to appeal directly to the SSS (and not try to get the FA officer to override him). I honestly don't know if that will work but it's the only recourse, afaik</p>
<p>Sorry, I missed that reality show where they tried to escape from the Selective Service. Or, let's ask our favorite newscasters if they know? :D</p>
<p>How does one know what any laws are? Does someone tell you what the speed limit is? What about the drinking age? What about those cities that have curfews for minors?</p>
<p>My son knew about registering for the selective service because all of his friends turning 18 years old also had to register and they talked to each other. It wasn't broadcast around the school..but the guys seemed to all know they had to do it.</p>
<p>sueinphilly, I was about to take computer information systems. I figured since I toy with computers all the time I might as well get paid for it.</p>
<p>As far as getting something in the mail, I wouldn't be able to answer that since it was so long ago. But I can't recall seeing anything myself.</p>
<p>And as far as driving goes, I don't. I have a non drivers license. When I applied for it the form made no mention of selective service. What I remember was a voter registration portion to it. Nothing more.</p>
<p>And lastly as far as friends talking about selective service. I can't recall that either. As I said before, I went to one of the worst schools in New York. Unfortunately I didn't know that at the time. Many of my friends just did not go to college or were encouraged for that matter. So like everyone else I figured whats the use? No one in my family went to college why should I?</p>
<p>Anyway this post is not for anyone to pity me because honestly that serves no purpose. I just felt the need to explain the situation a little better.</p>
<p>The only other option you have, since the Selective Service denied your appeal, is to appeal directly to your Congressman. My institution had a case, similiar to yours, and he got his Congressman to issue a directive that allowed the school to issue him federal aid.</p>
<p>
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Last I checked, there are sign posts everywhere
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Not where I live. We have a residential speed limit, a commercial speed limit and a highway speed limit. Which is 25, 35 and 70 "unless otherwise posted".</p>
<p>I certainly don't know every law...but I DID learn in civics class way back in the day...ignorance of the law does not exempt you from adhering to the laws.</p>
<p>Anyone who has ever walked into a post office should know about selective service requirements...I remember as a teenage girl (and now an adult woman) seeing registration forms in the post office all the time.</p>
<p>Whats funny is I've only been to a post office twice in my life although I've never seen a selective service posting anywhere.</p>
<p>On a side note NikkiiL, I've taken your suggestion of writing to my congressman. Not sure if there's anything that will happen since we're not in an election year but hey its worth a shot.</p>