Unusual SAP Appeal

Paying for College
1

Everything I’ve read in this forum tells me this appeal is not a normal one:

I went to college in 1997-1999 part time and completed 16.3 out of 21.6 credit hours - Biology, Speech, Psych, Writing, & Sociology. My courses were privately paid for and I quit going after my stepfather lost his job & I went to work full time.

About 7 years ago, I took an unaccredited massage program and obtained my license. I’ve been working as a massage therapist for 6.5 years now. My hands are deteriorating and hurting every day, and I have been looking for another career for some time.

Earlier this year, I registered for a 1 year Polysomnography program. I applied and was awarded a full Pell Grant of $5900, a TN Student Award of $1300 and I received half of a $6000 Stafford Loan. No problems so far.

I was told that now I am not making Satisfactory Academic Progress and my Spring 2018 semester would be at Max Fail Hours with no financial aid awarded unless I file an appeal. My grades for this current semester will be As and Bs, but grades have not posted yet. My appeal needs to DOCUMENT why I decided to stop taking Gen Ed courses and switched programs twenty years later. I do not have documentation from that long ago, and on the urging of the associate, I filed my appeal with medical reasons being why I’m changing my course of study. (Because apparently just bettering yourself isn’t a good enough reason. Nor is passion, curiosity, or wanting to help people.)

I’ve talked with an associate in admissions, but I don’t think it was very helpful. I don’t understand why my courses 20 years ago make a difference to my 2 semester program now. I did not receive ANY federal funding until this past August. I am frustrated beyond belief. I’m a single mom and I cannot afford these classes without financial aid.

Everything I’ve read on SAP appeals has talked about withdrawing or taking a leave of absence and some length of time between a previous course and the next course:
“I was a horrible student because X Event happened. I’ll do better this next semester.”

“My Random Relative died and I can go back to school now that my depression is medically managed.”

“My transportation/job/daycare changed and I flunked out, but I’ve remedied that now.”

But nothing about aid being revoked in the middle of the award year, or in the middle of a program as a current student.

I can understand not being awarded financial aid at all prior to starting the program. But why would this suddenly become a problem in the middle of my program?

Can anyone offer me some clarity?

Thank you so much in advance,
Jenn

2

Is it a for-profit college?

3

In usual cases, just promising to do better or that everything is now fine (your quotes) is not enough. Actions speak louder. Why did you speak with admissions rather than fin aid folks?

Is this the same college as 20 years ago? If so, early guess is you need to ask them to recognize you’re now in a one year certification program, not aiming for a college degree.

4

All courses were/are at a community college, but different colleges.

I’m only in the first semester and my grades will be excellent once they post in 3 weeks. I’m hoping this semester is my action to prove to the appeals committee that I’m going to finish.

I spoke with an associate in a Quick Stop kind of department. They try to handle a bunch of things instead of a specific department. I’m going in the morning to speak with someone else, hopefully more knowledgeable and helpful.