Share
I was recently determined to have failed Reasonable Academic Progress here at Virginia Tech, had my aid revoked and was required to go through an appeals process to get it back.
Now, let me explain the circumstances. This was before the policy change was based on a requirement that was still a part of RAP before the change — namely, the 75 percent requirement.
Last academic year, I was enrolled for only one semester, and when I began that spring, I was signed up for 15 credit hours. I dropped one class during drop/add and later withdrew from a class at the end of the semester, when it became apparent that my grade was not what I desired. So, by RAP standards, I had only completed 60 percent of the classes from my original docket for that academic year.
I was not aware of the 75 percent requirement, which I do not abdicate responsibility for. As a student of this school who received aid for every semester after my freshman year, I should have been more familiar with RAP.
I received the information about my aid award for 2012 over the summer, which was more than enough to cover my tuition, so I went on with my life.
About two weeks before the start of classes, I received an email telling me that my aid had been revoked. At the time, I had no idea why this was happening and didn’t know why my aid would be taken away for my last semester at Tech. Keep in mind, I currently have a 3.49 grade point average and am graduating in no more than eight semesters, with an economics major and a math minor.
I called staff at University Scholarships and Financial Aid, who informed me of the circumstances behind this surprise, and told me I had received an email in June telling me I needed to appeal within 30 days to have my aid fully reinstated. I was not aware of any such email.
After I heard this, I searched my inbox and deleted items (which I had not emptied in some time) and was not able to locate it. Certainly, there was a possibility of some error on my part, but I know I never received a follow-up email within the 30-day period or any sort of paper correspondence about the issue.
A version of this article appeared in the Sep 22 issue of the Collegiate Times.
Leave a comment 5 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
And yet another reason why federal loans to college students should be abolished.
Reply to this Top
I was in the exact same situation (because I medically withdrew last fall). Luckily I saw the e-mail and did an appeal. I think the whole thing is BS. I talked with people at the office there and apparently this is how it is:
Let's say you sign up for 18 credit hours at the beginning of the semester. Student's often due this anticipating dropping 1 or 2 courses depending on which ones are harder or they don't need. However, Financial aid only gives you until the first week (maybe 2, not sure on this) after classes start. So if if you drop or withdraw then your screwed. My last semester is next semester so if something happens and I have to withdraw or something. I may be totally SOL. This is messed up stuff.
Reply to this Top
In response to this comment: "I now also have to worry about how I’m going to make up the difference in the aid that was returned to me"
Considering that you took such a light amount of courses (15 credits, correct?) do you think it would be a good idea to go the old fashioned route of finding a job to pay your debt during school? Instead of relying on financial aid, its always a good plan to have some extra money coming in from a job.
Although it was wrong of the financial aid office to send you so little notice of your losing your financial aid, I think that students need to understand that this money wasn't yours in the first place. I don't understand why you are complaining about a measly $1000 when the REST of your tuition was taken care of.
Reply to this Top
Really worthwhile article. Pay Edgerson http://www.78jp.com/information/view/423
Reply to this Top
ikwkptx <a href="http://www.timberlandschuhede.eu/23-womens-timberland-6-inch-boots/" title="Frauen Timberland 6 Inch Boots">Frauen Timberland 6 Inch Boots</a>
Reply to this Top