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

[Butterfly0328]

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.

[AddisonLawrence03]

does this happen to everybody? I am worried

[caliotter3]

I got something similar from the financial aid office when I was going through school the last time. They said that all I was eligible for was certain types of loans. The big problem was that in calculating my income/outgo, they counted every red cent of income, no matter the source, but refused to count certain types of outgo. They said that was "discretionary" spending on my part. How can you count one half of the equation and discount the other half of the equation? I had to spend a particular amount, to get a certain amount. It worked out to their favor and they refused to budge and they refused to explain why. You just have to deal with it as best you can. That is what I did.

[Chapis]

never mind, I PM'd the poster.

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

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.

Ive appealed twice and got it both times.

[mom2rjns]

My school has an appeals process. You have to fill out a form, type up a letter and then tell them why you have not progressed and what you plan to do to progress. I hope it works out, they should have something to let you know if that is available.

[sophie<3]

the same thing happened to me this summer...i originally was going to do a BSN program..took all my prereqs for it and just wanted to take nursing courses and focus on them.. i was denied from the BSN program 2 times (soooo frustrating considering i had all my prereqs finished and a great gpa) before finally getting accepted into the ADN program. then after 1 semester of nursing school i found out was i denied financial aid because i exceeded 90 hours..had i not checked online i would have never known...no letter, my advisor didnt tell me..NOTHING. i was freaking out..i talked to the nursing department, financial aid office, and my advisor and was directed to appeal the decision. i had letters of recommendation written for me stating that they were aware of my situation and they believe that if i were given the oppurutnity to finish the degree i would make an amazing nurse. i also wrote a letter to the board who makes the decisions stating my case and basically begging them to let me finish school because without the funds i would have to watch my dream die.

they sent me a letter saying they would pay for me to take ONLY the remainder of the nursing classes i needed to finish my degree and i am ONLY allowed to take them one time. if i fail, i'm done. if i withdraw from a course, i'm done. so that is the motivation i need to pass.

plead your case..beg if you have to. do whatever it takes to finish school. i also included in my letter that i intend on pursuing my BSN at the same college i currently attend (that's a lie..im going to get my BSN online)..BUT whatever you gotta do, you gotta do :)

[RN_2012, BSN, RN]

This is standard...the schools have an appeal process. You explain the reason why you haven't completed your degree...they will then do a degree audit and approve only the courses required to finish your degree, if you have a logical reason. This is to prevent people from constantly changing their majors and just going to school forever on financial aid. It happened to me and all is OK now.

[peas&carrots]

I was denied the whole time I was going for my associates in science. As soon as I changed to the nursing program I was approved. Something about changing programs allowed me to become eligible again. Then I got a scholarship so all my financial aid is extra so it's helps out a lot. I'm sure it will work out so good luck!