Too late for Stafford Loans

<p>A student decides at the last minute to enroll in school . She already has a bachelor degree from 20 years ago . 1 ) Is it too late for her to file a FAFSA for Fall semester ? 2 ) Will she be eligible for a Stafford Loan ???</p>

<p>For grad school?</p>

<p>I think if you are trying to earn a second BA, then you are done with the fin aid unless you never did it before? </p>

<p>You probably missed the boat for fall, but not for spring.</p>

<p>easydoesitmom </p>

<p>Hope everything is going alright</p>

<p>Remember all of us who are grown adults at University can do one thing...</p>

<p>we can always start off with one or two classes</p>

<p>pay out of pocket</p>

<p>and work ourselves up</p>

<p>Good luck
Do not give up!</p>

<p>Because she lost jobs three times in her field, she wants to get a 2 years degree in another career field . She never used financial aid for first bachelor's degree - wonder if she still qualifies for Pell ( she works, supports four children on $21,000 a year in a cleaning job that she is too old physically to do with arthritis ) . Her first degree was in daycare & education .</p>

<p>So I wonder if she is eligible for PELL if she never , ever used financial aid ???</p>

<p>easydoesitmom </p>

<p>Well now, I think the "rule" is that if you earned yourself a BA or BS by paying for it yourself out of pocket- then you would be in the clear to try to earn another undergraduate level degree from paying for things with the Pell Grants and loans and whathaveyou.</p>

<p>I have always heard that you just plainly cannot ever get financial aid for a second undergraduate level degree if you paid for the first one through financial aid.</p>

<p>Does that make sense? </p>

<p>Maybe call that number on the FAFSA to double check? </p>

<p>I figure I am correct, but I am going by what all I have heard.</p>

<p>Oh well, I looked it up, and that is why I am editing this post...</p>

<p><a href="http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/older.phtml%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/older.phtml&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Here is an important quote from the site:</p>

<p>"Although many schools restrict eligibility for the school's own financial aid programs to the first Bachelor's degree, some schools will waive the restrictions when the student is an adult returning to school to earn a second degree in preparation for a career change. "</p>

<p>So, maybe call the school? </p>

<p>good luck</p>

<p>I clearly read that if one has an undergraduate degree ( even without using federal aid ) , so you are right there about getting a PELL. </p>

<p>But still wondering about Stafford Loans ???? </p>

<p>Thanks for figuring this out with me . It's so nebulous in the eligibility rules --does not overtly mention previous degrees </p>

<p>I have trying LIVE CHAT with FAFSA all evening and it still hasn't answered .</p>

<p>stafford loans are also for just the first BA. You need to contact the school's Financial Administration and see if they have anything. I think that you are still eligible for the Perkins loans -- although the amount the school can dole out is limited, so it is usually gone fast. There are scholarships for returning students -- but they are also competitive.</p>

<p>Is the 2-year program offered, in part or whole, at a community college? It would save some money.</p>

<p>Yes, it's a community college . I hope the school has some Perkins left in it's coffers .</p>

<p>easydoesitmom, remember what the finaid.org site said too. You know, about it sometimes actually being up to the school and all with regards to waiving certain things. </p>

<p>Ultimately though, trying to get your name in the pot for everything but loans is not a bad deal. But, remember that it is technically up to the school if they decide you might be able to qualify for a student loan.</p>

<p>I figure it would be worth it to go all the way after your pal speaks with the head of financial aid to make sure no rule is being broken or anything.</p>

<p>She did her FAFSA with school's financial aid dept. advice and found out she is qualified for Stafford Loan and some State aid !! There may also be a little left for an " older student " scholarship too at the school . I am so happy for her ! It never hurts to try . It really goes to show that every financial aid officer does not know everything ....last year , she tried to go at a different ( much larger ) college and it was a no go .</p>

<p>Thanks for advice.</p>

<p>great news!</p>

<p>I am also a returning adult student and I found that the local community college was much more helpful. If she is planning on eventually going to the larger, 4-year school, have her check on transfer scholarships (the requirements usually start early). I also found that once you start at the community college, the bigger university is more helpful when you end up there (don't know why, but that is my experience).</p>

<p>easydoesitmom </p>

<p>That is wonderful. Wonderful wonderful wonderful. Congrats on your friend!</p>

<p>I am 32 btw:)</p>

<p>peace.</p>