Financial Aid Suspension!!

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Jul 6, 2003

I think the reason they are encouraging you to get a bachelor's degree is because once you get a bachelor's degree...you are no longer eligible for financial aid. If you can't convince them to let you continue on with the ADN degree, perhaps you can get a student loan. Let us know what happens.

KevinN · Jul 6, 2003

This just happened to me. I found out a few weeks ago that I will not be receiving my pell grant because I have to many college credits. Luckily I applied and will be recieving a grant from the Texas Workforce commision. Maybe you could try the Workforce Commision in Indiana, they may have some program similar to the one here in Texas.

Good Luck,

Kevin

kwagner_51 · Jul 6, 2003

Kevin,

Is the Workforce Cmmision the same as the unemployment office? I am going to apply for foodstamps because there is no way we will survive if we have to pay tuition. We are barely surviving now. Our gas has been shut off. They want 300+$ to reconnect it. I was hoping the tax refund could be used for that...but it now looks like we will use it to pay for classes.

I am hoping to convince them to help me out. We can not afford to move again!!

Thanks for your advice!

In His Grace,

Karen

KevinN · Jul 6, 2003

Karen, yes they are the same. Your situation sounds discouraging, however you seem determined and I am sure things will work out for you.

Good luck,

Kevin

PennyLane, RN · Jul 6, 2003

Can you look into scholarships? Some of them are need-based, others are based on merit. I applied for and received a state delegate scholarship. I am also applying for various other state and federal programs. Local hospitals here have programs where they will pay for your school, and will sometimes pay you for full-time work if you work 25 hrs/week if you agree to work there after you graduate.

There are also a TON of scholarships you can find on-line, ranging from $500-$15,000. Some of them just want you to submit an essay, or answer some thought-provoking questions.

fourbirds4me · Jul 6, 2003

Many hospitals will pay for you to finish you degree in exchange for future work. The was the workforce commision (in Oklahoma) works is that they pay 1/2 and the hospital pays half in exchange for future work. There are ways to do this.

Also it is my understanding that grants etc... will only pay for 1 associates degree. For example a friend of mind had to attend a BSN program for them to pay because she already had an associates degree in another field. I took her 2 years either way. You may want to check into that.

Good Luck....

fnimat1 · Jul 6, 2003

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. I really hope that you find a solution. Good luck in your endeavors.

Fatima

cna on her way · Jul 7, 2003

You should really check out the local hospitals and see about scholarships there. I know that the hospital I work for gives $5,000 per year with a 2 year commitment for each $5,ooo you receive. It is well worth it in the long run. Especially since classes and all will only be about $2,000 per year and the other money can be used for the family to pay bills and things. I can understand exactly where you are coming from since I have a husband and kids as well. Good luck!

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jul 7, 2003

Karen, Kevin is right. Go to the Workforce Development office at your local unemployment office- they helped me tremendously when I was starting LPN school in Indiana. They can also hook you up with other financial aid institutions. They saved me a lot of footwork. Good luck!

LPN Student · Jul 7, 2003

Karen,

Please email me or post again on this board to let me what's happening. I too am going to VU, and I'm in the LPN program for the fall. I want to go on to get my RN, but for financial reasons, I have to do the LPN thing first, then hopefully, I can find an employer who can pay for my RN.

I too am having a financial aid nightmare. I don't have as many credits as you, but I do have 54 and they are all from VU. I've been going to school off and on for over 10 years. Since there is a 10 year time limit on the Indiana Higher Education Award, I don't get that this year, and that was about $1800 a semester. Since this will be the first time I"ve gone back to since getting married in 2000, I am no longer elible for a Pell Grant, which totally shocked me. They are going on our combined income from last year, but I will be giving up a good income from Toyota to go back to nursing school, but that doesn't matter to them. I still haven't figured out how in the world we are going to make it while I"m in school. Every day I think of backing out of school. Our bills are based on BOTH of our incomes. I will definitely have to work during school, but with classes and clinicals, it sure doesn't leave a lot of time to work, and I sure won't find anything around here that pays what Toyota does while I'm in school.

So, the only thing I have left is to get student loans. The loan amount will be enough for tuition and books with a little bit left over, but two car payments will wipe that out in a hurry. My husband doesn't make enough to pay all the bills himself. I sure do understand where you are coming from.

Are you in the RN or LPN program at VU? My books alone are going to be $600!! I ordered my uniform and lab coat too. I'm racking my brain trying to figure out how to live for the next year as a poor college student.

I'm so sorry you've had terrible luck about your financial aid. Hopefully, when you meet with a counselor, you can plead your case.

Just an FYI for you.....two weeks ago, the VU financial aid office tried to tell me that I was maxed out on my student loans, and I challenged them on it all the way. I only have $21,000 in loans, and as an independent student, I can go up to $46,000. I called the Dept. of Ed, and then called VU back to tell them to look closer at my file because the dept of ed is telling me that I am fine as far as student loans go. Turns out, it was a gliche in VU's system.

Please send me a private message or post here on how things are going. It's nice to see someone from around my area posting on this board!

kwagner_51 · Jul 7, 2003

LPNStudent,

Email me @ [email protected] I am going to Workone as soon as the lady I need to talk to is in the office.

I will let all know how it goes!

In His Grace,

Karen