2nd degree student, having financial aid issues--anyone else?

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I'm a second bachelor's degree student, married with two children. Because I have a degree already, I'm having a very difficult time with financial aid. I got a financial aid suspension letter in the mail last week. It was from the school, stating that because I had so many credit hours, why don't I have a degree already. Well, I do but I'm back again. So the nursing department sent them a degree plan, but now I'm hearing about a 60 hour cap for second bachelor's degree students.

Anyone knwo anything about this? Are appeals ever successful?

I have 18 months left of an accelerated program, so I can't quit now. It is going to be beyond difficult to stay afloat financially for the next 18 months with NO aid at all. AND having to come out of pocket for my tuition.

Anyone have any insight?

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If you're in undergrad (asn/adn/as/aa) and only have 60hours you shouldn't get flagged until 90 hours. That is because of the 150% completion rule. It goes by courses attempted not credits received. For example if you withdrew from classes for whatever reason they still count. If you are in Bachelor program you have 180 credits to worry about. But if you have earned a Bachelor's degree and are trying to seek another undergrad degree.... you're on your own. Not 100% if that includes student loans (i think it does).

\\But your original question... you should be perfectly fine with 60 hours. no worries :-)

New Law passed and the credit limit is now at about 60 hours. I just ran into this situation this semester at my school and I am filing an appeal.

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New Law passed and the credit limit is now at about 60 hours. I just ran into this situation this semester at my school and I am filing an appeal.

Yes, this is my problem. I sent in an appeal through my school, not sure if this is for the government too. Please let me know if yours is successful. Good luck.

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if you're in undergrad (asn/adn/as/aa) and only have 60hours you shouldn't get flagged until 90 hours. that is because of the 150% completion rule. it goes by courses attempted not credits received. for example if you withdrew from classes for whatever reason they still count. if you are in bachelor program you have 180 credits to worry about. but if you have earned a bachelor's degree and are trying to seek another undergrad degree.... you're on your own. not 100% if that includes student loans (i think it does).

\\but your original question... you should be perfectly fine with 60 hours. no worries :-)

i have a previous bachelors and am not eligible for fee wavers, etc--something that many nursing programs leave out of their information program. however, i have been offered student loans and because i am back in college, my present loans are deferred.

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I had to go up to the school the other day - I already have 135 credits and they had to map out what I need to complete my ADN (39 credits) and as long as I follow that to the letter then I'll get student loans...

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This happened to me, too, when I approached 45 credits. I simply went to my advisor and they gave me a form that showed I was taking "new" credits for this particular program. In other words, they were required classes that I did not take when I earned my first degree. I then went to financial aid with that piece of paper and a few days later was told I would still receive financial aid.

I think the intent of the law is not to exclude second bachelor's, but rather to stop students from becoming "professional students" who never graduate (and are on deferrment forever! :uhoh3:) Could be wrong....

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this happened to me, too, when i approached 45 credits. i simply went to my advisor and they gave me a form that showed i was taking "new" credits for this particular program. in other words, they were required classes that i did not take when i earned my first degree. i then went to financial aid with that piece of paper and a few days later was told i would still receive financial aid.

i think the intent of the law is not to exclude second bachelor's, but rather to stop students from becoming "professional students" who never graduate (and are on deferrment forever! :uhoh3:) could be wrong....

did you get fee waivers or did your financial aid consist of only student loans?

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I am in an ABSN program and had no trouble getting the maximum amount of stafford (now called 'direct') loans allowed to me, hope it works out!

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i am in an absn program and had no trouble getting the maximum amount of stafford (now called 'direct') loans allowed to me, hope it works out!

no one is doubting that one can obtain student loans (direct, subsidized, and/or non subsidized) to pay for their undergrad or graduate education. however, whether one graduates, is working or unemployed, these loans go into repayment mode 6 months after leaving college. the original question dealt with declination based on amount of college units already obtained. i believe the discussion was about her declination of financial aid in general, which would include fee waivers, grants, and/or scholarships. fee waivers, grants, and scholarships differs from student loans; they are not repaid.

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I am not sure about the fee waivers, my finaid did not consist of those, the loans covered all my expenses and I did not qualify for federal grants because I am a 2nd degree student....is the question about federal money/restrictions or about financial aid given by the school itself?

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i am not sure about the fee waivers, my finaid did not consist of those, the loans covered all my expenses and i did not qualify for federal grants because i am a 2nd degree student....is the question about federal money/restrictions or about financial aid given by the school itself?[/quote]

the question was about a 2nd degree and not qualifying for aid. i am not aware of a limitation of student loans but have a bachelors and that cuts off freebees offered by the institution.....

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After reading your post I called my school just to make sure and I was told there was no problem. Their rule (one of the state universities in AZ) is that you can have up to 180% of the degree you're seeking but since I'm a 2nd degree student the hours under my 1st degree do not come into play.

For those that said they aren't aware of restrictions on financial aid for 2nd degree students. There are lifetime maximum undergrad limits on federal student loans plus no grants for 2nd degree. You can get loans to the maximum undergrad limit. It all depends on how much money you took for your 1st degree. Just FYI for anyone looking into this later.

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Hi,

This is only like 16 days late but I wanted to put my 2 cents in regarding financial aid. I also received a notice in the mail that I was being suspended from financial aid because of excessive credit hours without a degree. I had filed with the office that I was trying to obtain a nursing degree before but somehow "they didn't have that paperwork". Anyways, I just filed an appeal and stated that I was going through the process of nursing school. After that they were more than willing to approve and get me through the process and back on financial aid. I read that you already filed an appeal. I'm sure things will be fine.

Just keep trying to talk to the people you need to talk to in order to pay for that program.

Goodluck!

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