Help!!! financial aid question

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jun 27, 2006

I'm in the same boat. I have one more semester left of Pell, etc and that is it. I do plan on filing an appeal as well next semester. If that doesn't work I'm going to sign a contract with one of the hospitals here and have them pay for my school and I'll work for them in return. More than likely I think the school will accept my appeal though because I'm a nursing major and they dont want to see anyone drop out of the program and the school loses money that way from an empty space. I think if the school sees you have a clear goal in mind (I changed majors as well is my problem) and are already IN nursing school it should be ok.

Keep me updated though! check out the hospitals in your area, virtually all the big ones will pay for students in return for you working for them later on.

moonischasingme1 · Jun 27, 2006

I am just wondering how long someone has until they stop giving aid? I have been in college 3 years, going on my fourth and will be there for the next 2.5 years since I changed majors--will they stop awarding my aid after the 4th year?

AnnaN5 · Jun 27, 2006

I am just wondering how long someone has until they stop giving aid? I have been in college 3 years, going on my fourth and will be there for the next 2.5 years since I changed majors--will they stop awarding my aid after the 4th year?

You stop being eligble for federal financial aid once you have 150% of the required credits for the degree program. So if you are going for an ADN nursing degree that is usually around 60-65 credits so you are only eligible for financial aid up to about 90 credits. If you are going for your BSN which is about 120 credits you would only be eligble for financial aid up for up to 180 credits.

I got myself into a bind since I already have a bachelors which was 126 credits. When I went back for nursing they wanted my transcript from my previous degree and they transferred about 70 credits into the community college. I have taken 20 credits at the community college but to them it looks like I have been going there for 90 credits and have not been granted a degree by them so now I am ineligible for financial aid. :madface:

Valerette · Jun 27, 2006

Thanks for all the advice! I hadn't thought of the hospital idea, but there is one in my area that has a program like that--I'm going to check it out.

At my school (BSN program) the unit cap is at 168, I believe. I didn't realize that all those community college units that they said didn't transfer over DO transfer over as far as the financial aid office is concerned.

As far as figuring out if you'll run out of aid before you graduate, you'd have to figure out how many units you have and how many more you need to take and then check with your financial aid office about unit maximums. Make sure you take into account those community college units, if there are any they told you wouldn't transfer.

I'll let everyone know how things go for me, I think I may go in and talk to an advisor.

rds007 · Jun 27, 2006

I just went through the appeal process to reinstate my financial aid for the fall semester, when I will begin the ADN program. I already have 96 credits, because when I transferred from a different school (in a different state) most of my credits were accepted as electives, rather than degree requirements. I was told that degree requirements are regulated at a state level, so I was practically starting over at square one (except I was already $18,000 in debt in student loans:eek: ). Anyway, I had to file an appeal, including the essay on extenuating circumstances. My essay was very short & simple, because the financial aid advisior said that almost all of the nursing student exceed 90 credits before they graduate. Try talking to a financial advisor. My guess is you should be fine. Good luck!!

ms mimi · Jun 28, 2006

i went over on my credits last semester so i had to file an appeal this summer for the 06-07 school year. and i was just accepted. most of the people in my ADN program will have to file an appeal at some point. first i had to go see an advisor and fill out the appeal paperwork, then wait for the decision. most of the time the appeals go thru. i did mine around May and got the decision last week. the only problem i see is that you may not get the appeal in time for classes to be paid. in this case somebody i knew had to pay for the classes up front then got the money later once the appeal went thru. just go get the appeal done ASAP.

JaxiaKiley · Jun 28, 2006

I'm in the same boat. I just hope your school has a better appeal policy than my school. Some schools almost automatically approve appeals for nursing students, but mine rarely does. Good luck.