Financial aid officer throwing up road blocks...

Nurses General Nursing

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I am sooooo upset right now that I am literally seeing red!!

I went back to school in the spring for an RN program. This was after I got accepted to the school and spoke to financial aid, who told me that everything would be fine as soon as I consolidated my defaulted student loans. All of my loans were consolidated on May 1st and I thought that everything was ok.

This "financial aid" officer that I have has made me jump through soooo many hoops that I'm beginning to feel like the poodle in Barnum and Bailey's circus. Not only did she require a letter from the Department of Education that I was out of default (she could have called, according to them, to verify this), but I had to get financial aid transcripts from a school that I had to attend 24 years ago. She didn't tell me this until about 3 weeks ago, after I had accumulated a bill of over $800.00. Ok...not a big deal, got all of that taken care of. NOW she's telling me that I am not going to get financial aid because I was accepted on "probation status" because of the credits I transferred in from the school I attended 24 years ago. She didn't bother looking at the fact that I attended LPN school 15 years ago and had a B+ average.

I have jumped through sooo many hoops. I have called the Department of Education, who in turn called her and "rattled her cage". This still did no good. She is still doing everything that she can think of to keep me from going to school.

I have talked to the admissions director, written a letter to the college president etc etc etc. The admissions director is looking into it but doesn't hold much hope.

I am supposed to start summer classes on Tuesday, but as it stands now, I can't do that. I am so upset and I don't know what to do. Can someone please help and give me some ideas? I can't go without financial aid. :confused:

Essarge,

Write a letter that summarizes your problem-try to hold it to 3 or 4 paragraphs. Make sure in your opening statement you remind them of the severe crisis in the nursing shortage. Go to this site:

http://www.state.de.us/gic/agindex.htm

Then send your email to everyone remotely connected. Look under Legislative branch and find your representative AND senator. Also, go the the Department of Labor link. Also, scroll down to the bottom and go to the Higher Education Commission under Executive Dept. You can send the same form letter to all and request any assistance they might be able to offer.

Then send your email to everyone remotely connected. Look under Legislative branch and find your representative AND senator. Also, go the the Department of Labor link. Also, scroll down to the bottom and go to the Higher Education Commission under Executive Dept. You can send the same form letter to all and request any assistance they might be able to offer.

Exactly. Natalie hit it right on the head. Infact, I would call his/her office immediately to leave a message. Since this is in regard to nursing, they may get the message quickly and thus take immediate action.

I'd write a letter to the local paper to let them know as well. It couldn't hurt.

What about your employer? It will be in their best interest as well for you to go back to school. They may can help or pull some strings. Contact the state nurses association in your state as well, they are very vocal when it comes to the nursing shortage, and you might be a poster child for them (as long as you get what you need, who cares). I would also check with the nursing department themselves, if your past academic probation doesn't matter to them, why should it to financial aide? then, as a last resort, check for private money - scholarships, work contracts, or other means to achieve your goal. I bet this is a wider spread problem than most people know.

Thanks for the replies. I will do that with the emails...great idea.

I have spoken to at least one practicing RN who was originally going to go to this university and after getting harrassed by the financial aid office (ie. jumping through hoops) he decided to go to another private college nearby that cost him almost $15,000 per year. I wish that I would have talked to him sooner...hindsight is 20/20.

But since I have already started here I plan on continuing here. I am a survivor and when someone tells me I can't...I will fight harder just to proove them wrong.

The few things that I want out of all of this is: 1. A written apology from this woman. 2. To make the university president aware of what she and her office does. 3. That this does not happen to another student!!

By the way I like the idea of calling the press...I think I'll keep that as my "ace in the hole", this university doesn't need any adverse publicity! :D

Good news!

The director of admissions just called and has changed my admission status so that I am now eligible for financial aid (unless they find another hoop for me to jump through). I should know about the financial aid tomorrow. I am going to call there the minute that office opens and listen to this "advisor" eat her words!!!

I am still going to the president of the college and let him be aware of the things this woman has done....it's the only way to stop her from doing this again!!

Thanks all!!

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