Going to be denied f/a because of maximum credit rule..

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Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.

Hello everyone, I am hoping that someone who experienced a similar situation can help me with this dilemma. I am currently almost finished with my pre-reqs for the ADN program where I live. Recently I was told by f/a that since I will go over the allowed 90 credit hours to complete my degree after the first semester in nursing school I will have to find another way to a pay for it. I have been out of school for so long and actually didn't even start college until I was 39 years old. I didn't even know such a rule existed. I have taken classes like College Success, Stress management etc. I also have a documented disability and medical issues that warrented me to have to drop a class a couple of times because the load became too much to handle. Of course my thought process was to "try" to do as much as possible and if I had to withdraw out a class at least I tried. Keep in mind that while I was thinking this I had no idea about the max credit rule.

Have any of you had any success in the appeals process and do you think given my medical issues I will be successful in obtaining financial aid. Thanks so much.

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Not sure, but I'm thinking it has more to do with the fact that you have dropped classes, not the program's credit requirements.

Because you have a medical condition, financial aid my want to determine whether or not your condition or situation is stable after you have paid out of pocket for one semester.

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I had this same issue due to bad advising. There is really nothing you can do about it except pay for your classes out of pocket if it is because you went over the credits. Even after I got my financial aid reinstated, at the end of my last semester, I got a tuition surcharge notice. I had to pay the college more because I went over the credit hours needed for my program.

In my experience, reasons or extenuating circumstances didn't matter.

If its due to bad grades or dropping classes, then you are probably on probation and can get it reinstated after a certain number of credit hours paid for out of pocket.

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I'm in a similar situation. My entire final year of nursing school will have to be paid on my dime because I have maxed out my allowable financial aid credits.

I found out an estimate of what my last year will cost and I am making arrangements to cover the cost myself. I am padding my savings account whenever I can, making the best use of loans and grants I am getting now, and borrowing money from family. Eevem though it may be difficult I am also planning on working as a student nurse at the end of next semester. It IS possible to do it- it just means we will be eating more hamburger helper. :-)

Good luck!! It will be worth it in the end.

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Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.

Thanks for the info. I will most likely submit an appeal and just TRY. Can't hurt. I will also be working during school as I am the only income in my household. But if I need to I will also borrow etc. Good thing I like hamburger, not sure I will at the end of all of this.:lol2:

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Thanks for the info. I will most likely submit an appeal and just TRY. Can't hurt. I will also be working during school as I am the only income in my household. But if I need to I will also borrow etc. Good thing I like hamburger, not sure I will at the end of all of this.:lol2:

Good luck with the appeal! At my school, we can appeal if it's a probation situation but not for exceeding credits. Perhaps your school is different.

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Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.

maybe, this is what is says on the school website:

exceptions to these credit limitations may be considered on an individual basis if extenuating circumstances exist. please refer to the appeal policy listed below.

the student has a right to appeal if he/she cannot seek reinstatement by any of the means listed above, has reached the maximum attempted credit limitation, or is attempting an additional undergraduate degree/certificate.

appeals process:

  • complete and submit the sfs appeals form.
  • provide proof of unusual or extenuating circumstances negatively affecting academic performance (i.e. illness, death, etc.) and a letter explaining how obstacles were overcame.
  • provide a tentative plan of study (developed and approved by a csn academic counselor).
  • the sfs appeals committee will review the packet and notify the student in writing of the appeal outcome.

so i am hopeful. crossing my fingers and toes.

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I was told by our school that almost everyone entering the Nursing program has gone over the max. credits, due to the number of pre-reqs required. And, although they are required to look at each person case-by-case, the appeal process is normally just a formality. I have an AA in social science and have over max. credits and my financial aid appeal was approved in 24 hrs.

Each school has the right to make it's own decisions, but it is definately worth a shot. Good luck.

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Specializes in ICU/UM.

I hit this, too (really irked me because a lot of my credits were paid for by me, no aid involved). Anyway, I was able to appeal and get aid with no issues.

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Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.

I am hoping to have the same good news next year. So happy you both go the aid. That is totally stupid that even though you paid for your own classes they still had the nerve to count it against you. But at least you got the approval. Congrats and Good Luck.:)

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Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.

Butterfly,

How many credit hours have you attempted? In other words, the total number of classes you registered for and began regardless if you completed the courses or not? What is your current major at the school? Generally there are two options. First, you can make an appeal, but know that the rules are set by the federal government, so the appeal may not work. However, if you original major is not nursing, change it. This resets the maximum rule. I should be clearer. The slate isn’t clean, but you will have much more breathing room. Also, the rule applies for Pell Grants and other state grants, but it DOES NOT apply to student loans.

I wish these Financial Aid counselors would get more training. If I had a dollar for each time I taught my FA counselor something new, I could retire today. It pays to research EVERYTHING.

Let me know the answers to those questions so that I can steer you in the right direction.

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Specializes in future OB/L&D nurse(I hope) or hospice.
Butterfly,

How many credit hours have you attempted? In other words, the total number of classes you registered for and began regardless if you completed the courses or not? What is your current major at the school? Generally there are two options. First, you can make an appeal, but know that the rules are set by the federal government, so the appeal may not work. However, if you original major is not nursing, change it. This resets the maximum rule. I should be clearer. The slate isn't clean, but you will have much more breathing room. Also, the rule applies for Pell Grants and other state grants, but it DOES NOT apply to student loans.

I wish these Financial Aid counselors would get more training. If I had a dollar for each time I taught my FA counselor something new, I could retire today. It pays to research EVERYTHING.

Let me know the answers to those questions so that I can steer you in the right direction.

I believe the last time I checked I had attempted 62 credit hours. I still have to take A&P II, Micro and Comm. So that is 11 more. I did find out last semester that they did NOT have my major as pre-nursing and had to have it changed TO pre-nursing. So to answer your question my major is pre-nursing and then of course Nursing, but like I said, they did not have me down until August as a pre-nursing student. Thanks for your help.:)

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