Help with student loan problem needed - long

Chevelle · Jun 11, 2004

I just wanted to let you know you know that I am in the same financial aid boat, sort of. I lost my financial aid (including loans) for this fall & spring. I am currently digging in the couch cushions for anything I can find to help me pay for what I have to have. If I don't get it, I am going to have to put nursing school back a year and I am not happy about this.

When the situation came up awhile back, I checked with the college to make sure my aid would not be affected and they said I was fine. I checked again a few weeks ago and yup, everything was still fine. Yesterday I get a letter saying it's gone.

If I find any interesting solutions while in my search, I will let you know!

Good luck!

Quick Question: Since the school sent it back, but it was never posted, can you contact the clearing house who was suppose to post it?

susanna · Jun 11, 2004

It sounds like you're just fumbling through a lot of red tape with people who might not know what they are talking about or who might not understand your situation. I would keep calling the guarnator of your loan(your old school?) because they MUST report that you have unused loans. I don't see why they wouldn't. It doesn't benefit them in any way so I would just keep pushing and slowly explaining your situation to the loan counselor at your old school.

Saved_by_Grace · Jun 13, 2004

i know that this doesn't help you with your loan situation, but i wanted to let you know that i found a website for scholarships even for those students like me, (non-traditional) married,etc. it's at http://www.fastweb.com and it found 31 potential scholarships for me just by entering my information. i found it as a link on my school's webpage. many of them are things as simple as writing an essay. i don't know if i will actually get any of the scholarships as i just found this today and filled out my info, but i thought it might be worth a look for you if you are interested. good luck.:)

IamRN · Jun 14, 2004

Are you speaking to the clerks answering the phones? If so, consider trying higher ups/department managers, etc. I would try writing letters and carbon copying all that applied.

Good luck!

devi, ADN, BSN · Jun 14, 2004

Tracy,

Something is definately not right here. I agree with the other poster who said to keep calling your loan guarantor (NYS) and don't give up until you get answers. Problem is, this is probably going to take a long time.

Even if records still show that you borrowed the full amount you could borrow ($10,500, which leads me to believe you're junior or senior status) for the 2003/2004 school year, that should not stop you from borrowing more for the fall and on until you work this out. Unless you have already borrowed the undergraduate total limit of $46,000, you should still be eligible to renew your financial aid for the 2004/2005 school year, which starts in the fall quarter/semester at most colleges. I work in a financial aid office, and this is the way it works there. When you say you are near the limit, do you mean the $46,000 limit or just the academic year limit of $10,500?

So you probably won't make it in time for summer, but maybe you can make it for fall if you renew your fafsa. At least you could go ahead and start school and have plenty of time to work out the loan trouble with your guarantor.

kwagner_51 · Jun 14, 2004

Call the Dept. of Ed and shake up some people. Tell them EXACTLY what you told us. DO NOT let them do this to you. Here is the Dep. of Ed's website:

http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml

This will get you their phone number and give you some info on them. They will be able to tell you what your limits are and allow you to post a complaint against your school for thier mess-up.

Good luck and keep us posted!!