Letter says the college sent back the student loan money! HELP!!

ashemson · Dec 20, 2002

I don't really know, but did you apply using the FAFSA online? If so, you can go to their website and get their 800 #. Call them and ask them. At my school, I get a letter when my aid arrives and I have to sign papers that I accept the loans, and then they cut me a check. Maybe they didn't hear from you in time? But they should be able to get confirmation from the student loan people and just reissue the money. Don't worry. I am sure it will get straightened out. I think when I applied for the loans and grants, I do it a year in advance. So it is in my "account" from the government, I just have to confirm that I want it for that particular semester.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Dec 20, 2002

they sent back the check????

Bizarre. I don't know how to fix this, but I must say no school I ever went to would do that. They'd find some way to cash it, even if you weren't a registered student, and then make it your problem to get the $$ back.

emily_mom · Dec 20, 2002

They can get your money back in less than a week once whatever is wrong is fixed. Call the financial aid office first; they will know why it was sent back. Maybe there was something not signed or maybe it was just a fluke. They will help you make it right and get it back. The govt./loan companies EFT the money to the school and can get it there ASAP. I had a problem my first semester, and it was fixed and $$$ was in my hands in 4 days.

Good luck!!!!

Kristy

colleen10 · Dec 20, 2002

Please don't worry too much about this just yet. It is yet another proverbial "Hoop to jump through". More of a pain in the bum than anything.

I'd be willing to bet like other posters that something didn't get signed within a certain time frame and so the money was sent back. Especially if you have been planning for this for a while and had acceptance of your money a while ago.

In my experience my school wasn't too swift on letting me know what needed signed and when. After I had allready started school and thought that all my financial bases were covered I found out that my school was about to take away all the money I had been given through loans because I had to sign a couple more papers and watch a video on the importance of paying the loan back after I graduated. The only attempt the school made to let me know of this was about a week before the money was going to be taken away and they only called my dad's home and left a message, they never tried to reach me, the one actually living at campus.

So, don't worry just yet, these things are usually easily corrected. It's just a matter of getting to the bottom of why it happened and getting in touch with the right person who can get you the money back.

Take care and good luck!

Col

essarge · Dec 20, 2002

I have had MANY bad experiences with financial aid at my school. This is the "formula" that I follow, hope it helps.

1. Call your financial aid advisor (do not talk to a student or leave a message!). If you do not talk to them within 24 hours, call the head of financial aid.

2. If the problem is again not resolved call the supervisor of finances at the school and tell them the problem. If the problem is not resolved there, call the U.S. Department of Education Regional Manager for your area.

I can guarantee that if you end up with the Dept. of Education Regional Manager, the problem will be resolved! Schools DO NOT want the Dept of Ed breathing down their necks or in their books scrutinizing what they do!!

Good Luck!!

fourbirds4me · Dec 20, 2002

My guess is that was the loan money for the fall semester... and since you didn't go during the fall that check is being returned... Because financial aid is based on enrollment. I'm sure everything will be fine for spring.

Gator,SN · Dec 20, 2002

I was going to guess the exact same thing as fourbirds4me. Call and ask. You probably have an award letter that is split into Fall and spring semesters. If you don;t use it you lose it, but you should have the same award for Spring.

GOOD LUCK!

Gator

LPNtoBSNstudent, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2002

Yes ! That is exactly what it was. It was the loan monies for the fall semester and since I am not starting there until spring, they sent it back! The spring money is waiting up there for me, thank goodness!

Thanks everyone for your help!!

fourbirds4me · Dec 21, 2002

Glad you got it all straightened out!

hafsa44 · Dec 22, 2002

I don't understand why your money was sent back. But I do know that if you recieve a federal stafford loan from the government and when the checks reach your school you have a certain amount of time to sign the checks and if you do not sign the checks they have to send them back. If you call them they will tell you the reason they were sent back.