New Student Loans Rules

Nursing Students General Students

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I am feeling a little stressed. My community college that I am attending just notified me that I am not qualified for student loans because I already have either $15,000 or more in loans. Which by the way are NOT defaulted. They have come up with this ridiculous rule that students are not allowed to borrow any more if they have at least $15,000 in student loans already starting this school year. I've been accepted for the Fall 2013 Nursing Program and is ready to start this August on the 26th. I was going to go part-time or either registry because of the course load and needed these loans to get me by.

Have anybody experienced this at their community college?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Why is that? I guess I should start a new thread, but I don't understand why a college would want people to stick around forever completing prerequisites, get into the nursing program, then possible fail and have 2 years or so in time wasted with nothing accomplished.

The community college itself is bound to the statutes of the state's department of education...the nursing program itself has a set of rules bound by both the BON and the DOE; however the school itself has to comply...they can't necessarily "bend" the rules for one program; hence the ability for students to have the opportunity to appeal-show the board a reason, and if approved, they will allow it.

That's what actually happened to me. :yes: I failed the ADN program by one point; and the were willing to have me back the next fall. I started researching and saw the correlation of nursing programs and saw it more advantageous to get into a BSN program; however I failed one already...which gives off the experience of being shunned :blink:

After dusting myself off, working in pre-req's and recharging myself, I got into a practical nursing program, enjoyed my career as a LPN; realized I needed an RN to get certified in the specialities I worked in, and went for the BSN for lessons learned and invested in my education reasonably. It helped that I obtained a AA in a humanities degree from the same headache of a CC; it saved me a ton of money when I went for my BSN. :)

As far as having ADN programs, they are still advantageous to have...access to education is paramount; however, there are factors in regarding hours for a Bachelors degree and a Associates...it comes down to the hours or full semesters.

If anything the OP's post can assist for those who are considering an ADN program is to know your CC's hour limitation in regards to financial aid; go part time for pre-req's and then switch to full time for the program...it may take a little longer, but if one plans to be prudent, you will have less roadblocks faced like the OP in the long run...and nursing isn't going anywhere. It took me 12 years removed from high school to complete an RN nursing program...and nursing is STILL here. ;)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Besides that, what do they care?! Your loan money is lining their wallet! Haha

Unless the purse strings have been clipped due to the rules...then they can't accept "more loan money" :no:

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A $15,000 limit is not normal but there are rules such as Maxim Time Frame, which I ran into going to a community college because I transferred credits from a four year institution.

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.

As far as having ADN programs, they are still advantageous to have...access to education is paramount

This is profoundly important. Without grants, I would not have been able to afford school.

After initial looking into obtaining my bsn, I need 60 credits. That's about $20k from my local public university. Might as well be $200K because I can't borrow that much knowing I will be sending THREE children to college in 5-6 years.

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A $15,000 limit is not normal but there are rules such as Maxim Time Frame, which I ran into going to a community college because I transferred credits from a four year institution.

Yes I am aware of this after looking up the my cc policies on the federal student loans. I just dont understand why they have not included the information that was told to me regarding the $15,000 student loan limit. I also wonder if they are just using that as an deterrent for students not to take out loans. :unsure:

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I am starting a community college in the fall, (actually tomorrow) and I have a previous bachelor's, which means, I have WAY more student loan debt than you ( way more than 15,000) and I was able to get sub and unsub fed. loan. are they denying you for federal loans? because there are rules to lifetime limits (something like in the 30,000's for dependant students and 50,000 for independent). you may want to check on the financial aid policy at the school to make sure they can say that.

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A lot of schools are coming up with new rules based on credits. They know a lot of people are returning to school and this is the way they keep the MONEY with the people THEY FEEL really need it. I think it is sad because a lot of people want a new career.

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Update: Had my meeting with FA and just as I thought, it was a deterrent. So I still received my money!!!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Glad you were able to get your money!!! :up:

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