Community College financial aid (loans) denied

[RotBaron]

I found out the other day my Maximum Timeframe Appeal (for Federal loans) was denied by my local Community College.

I have a Bachelor's and that means to attend a CC and get loans, one must fill out the aforementioned form.

I'm changing careers and have been on the CC waiting list for nursing school for 2 years. I really thought my number would be called this semester, it was not. So I decided to pursue something that would boost my resume, etc. and give me a leg up...a certificate in addictions and substance abuse, aka ASD. The contemporary term is now addictions and substance use disorders (not abuse.) ASD is an area I would like to work in as a nurse.

Anyhow, I called and asked what basis I was denied, and the response was "you're not eligible based off of having a Bachelor's." To which my response was, I already received loans to take all the necessary prerequisites to get on the nursing school waiting list. The agent, she, said, "what school did that," which I told her and she said well here at such and such CC it's been reviewed by our committee and you are denied.

Long and short of it combined; after I continued asking things like what Federal basis was I denied on, what statute or law, so on...I finally got her down to admitting that, well, if I had explained my current career situation that would be taken into consideration. However, she didn't indicate whether I'd be any more likely to receive loans (Pell grants are only available to 1st time Bachelor's.)

Finally, to my question, it would seem to me that they want to hear certain keywords and key phrases that would give them reason to believe that I should be eligible to pursue another degree/certificate on loans.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

TIA  

[Rogue9Volt]

Have you considered getting a private loan?  Your bank might be willing to give you a decent loan agreement if you're a long time customer, and explain the situation to them.  Another upside is private loans, unlike student loans, CAN be defaulted on in an emergency.

[Randy1]

You might be having discrimination problems if you are a white male in both the gender and race columns.  It is perfectly legal in the USA and encouraged  by both state and federal governments I am sad to say.

[RotBaron]

Unfortunately I would not qualify for a private loan; credit is not good. With nursing school there might be a bank willing, but I doubt it for this certificate. I have three debt settlements in the past 2 years with credit cards.

WM check, check.

Pell grants and loans for anybody who wants to study something that will not advance their career seems to be the case. The moment someone wants to go back to school to be productive, watch the red tape flow.

[smoe]

Ever think about applying for grad school? A lot of times you can work as a TA and reduce the college costs.

[ozrocker]

myscholly.com 






                                                                                                                                                Oz

[guncrasher]

You might be having discrimination problems if you are a white male in both the gender and race columns.  It is perfectly legal in the USA and encouraged  by both state and federal governments I am sad to say.

if it was true, then everybody would be dumb to not just check the "other boxes".  not like they want a dna sample.


semp

[Thruster]

"it would seem to me that they want to hear certain keywords and key phrases that would give them reason to believe that I should be eligible to pursue another degree/certificate on loans."

Sounds like you're trying to milk the system. You said you have trouble maintaining financial obligations but want yet another loan so you can functionally buy another credential that you hope will increase your earning power.....Seems like "they" should be looking for real, quantifiable actions in your background that would indicate eligibility ie: you EARNED the privilege.

Here's two ideas:

- Do your current job so well that it becomes apparent you deserve and can fulfill more lucrative professional responsibilities thereby earning assistance or,
- Save your money and pay for your own education. Prove you can actually work and sacrifice to achieve your goals instead of bumming the coin to buy the paper.

We've become addicted to the idea that regurgitating data is as effective as actual performance. Nobody wants to pay dues or compete. Much easier to just buy their way along. And NOBODY wants to pay their own ticket. Not if all you gotta do is fill out a form or three. Join the army or learn to run, catch, or throw (or just study real hard) if you ain't got the silver spoon. Remember, all that financial aid stuff was intended for females and minorities to get an educational leg up since they couldn't compete in our economy without it.

[RotBaron]

Milk the system?  

They are loans, and with a 6.5% interest rate on Stafford loans, I think the Fed gov is getting a pretty good return. It's a guarantee to them as Stafford loans don't even go away in bankruptcy.

Maybe keep your lecture to those that borrowed way more than their home was worth, the banks that lent the money and probably a few that you voted for. They crashed the economy, not those who defaulted on their credit cards. I'm sure you know someone who lived it up in '04 - '07 and didn't have to pay it back.

Regarding my credit card debt settlements, the banks still made a profit after paying them for 10 years and up to 27% interest at one point. Being enslaved by loan sharks is not an example of financial irresponsibility.

Pray you never get healthcare by those who got their education through entitlement.

[Ripsnort]

"it would seem to me that they want to hear certain keywords and key phrases that would give them reason to believe that I should be eligible to pursue another degree/certificate on loans."

Sounds like you're trying to milk the system. You said you have trouble maintaining financial obligations but want yet another loan so you can functionally buy another credential that you hope will increase your earning power.....Seems like "they" should be looking for real, quantifiable actions in your background that would indicate eligibility ie: you EARNED the privilege.

Thruster, have you attended college? Do you know how Stafford loans work?
With all due respect, I would hold off on judgement until you know what the hell you're talking about.

[Gemini]

People always looking for handouts is everything that is wrong with this great country in this day and age.

Although, normally you don't hear about them being denied...

So this is great news to me.

[Dragon]

You have a degree so unless your work history is crap (which means your work ethic is crap) you should be settled into a position allowing a reasonable lifestyle.  If you have that position then your spending ethic is crap and you want the feds to give you more.  That's my money and I think that's crap so I am glad you were denied.

 

[RotBaron]

Degree is in Information Systems/Information Technology. Graduated when tech market crashed. Brother was murdered in '97, went through 12 years of trials for two murderers, 5 jury trials, 3 appeals trials, 1 AZ Supreme Court appeal trial so far. It may be over, it may not be. We had a few hung jury(s) thus the reason for mulitiple trials. I had a lot of problems, I lost not only my brother, but my best friend. He was heinously murdered in my mother's home by a former employee. The former employee brought in a "bill collector" who is not only one of biggest sociopaths to walk the streets of Phoenix/Valley, he, guess what, also associates with said ppl. I took 1.5 years off to come home from Colorado to literally stay up nights at my mom's house with our 12ga "riot" home defender and my Glock. It took the authorities 9 months to identify the two perpetrators and 4 more years to get to the first trial.

During the aforementioned time, I had struggles. I had just turned 21 when Scott was murdered. Btw it was by punching, kicking, stomping,  holding down and bludgeoning with sap gloves and at one point a pipe wrench. Coroner's estimated could have been anywhere from minimum of 40 to 90 blows struck all over my brother's body.

People have troubles in life. If they're strong enough, have a lot of support, and hopefully faith, they can rise again. I was on top of the world when that happened, it's taken me 16 years to get it back together, been totally sober for 5 now, I'll succeed either way, but a little help from Uncle Sam to become a productive member of society again wouldn't hurt. Asking for him to invest in me, the return on investment is usually considerably greater in a healthcare worker than just the 6.5% interest...

[RotBaron]

People always looking for handouts is everything that is wrong with this great country in this day and age.

Although, normally you don't hear about them being denied...

So this is great news to me.

Do you have a mortgage? Is it a handout? Do you have a loan payment on your car? Is it a handout? If so, stop being a hypocrite and by all means run down to the bank and turn that car and house over!

[Gemini]

See Rule #4