Kicked out of TESC financial aid for having 120 credits?

[esummer]

I enrolled in TESC and was granted financial aid into 2 degree programs, AA/BA, and was recently kicked out of my class and financial aid because I had reached 120 credits.

I tried to explain that although that may be so since I was enrolled in 2 programs, I had still not finished them. But they took it away anyways and I have lost the only method I had to pay for my degree and graduate. A years worth of investment and planning down the drain.

Efforts to speak on the phone to them turned rather rude.

Has this happened to anyone else.

[cooperalex2004]

I enrolled in TESC and was granted financial aid into 2 degree programs, AA/BA, and was recently kicked out of my class and financial aid because I had reached 120 credits.

I tried to explain that although that may be so since I was enrolled in 2 programs, I had still not finished them. But they took it away anyways and I have lost the only method I had to pay for my degree and graduate. A years worth of investment and planning down the drain.

Efforts to speak on the phone to them turned rather rude.

Has this happened to anyone else.

While enrolled at my CC they tried to cut me off since I had gone over their own limits (related to not being a degree seeking student after completing an AA). The solution was that I simply had to declare a new degree program and take a course that matched it. If you haven't gotten a four year degree then it should matter. I received TESC financial aid when I had more than 120 credits. Did you reach 120 credits that were needed to finish a degree? If that is the case then federal laws require aid to cut off, if you just went over that on credits and still have not received your first four year degree then you should still qualify for financial aid programs like Pell Grants and others.

For specific programs, such as the Pell Grant, you cannot receive aid after completion of your first four year degree. If you are looking at another degree at TESC and completed 120/120 credits for any four year degree then your aid has run out by law, I'm just not clear if it is that you have more than 120 credits or if you have completed one of the degrees.

[esummer]

Yes, I have the credits required to finish the BA, but not the AA.

The mixup came about because they did not enroll me into both programs at the start as I requested, which kicked me off. They just recently added on the AA and I still have a class left to go on that one. But they still tell me I am disqualified.

I am giving them the same argument that you have brought up, but they seem disinterested in resolving the situation.

[cooperalex2004]

Yes, I have the credits required to finish the BA, but not the AA.

The mixup came about because they did not enroll me into both programs at the start as I requested, which kicked me off. They just recently added on the AA and I still have a class left to go on that one. But they still tell me I am disqualified.

I am giving them the same argument that you have brought up, but they seem disinterested in resolving the situation.

If you've completed the requirements for a BA you will not receive further aid (at least Pell Grants). No matter how they put it in the computer I don't think they can legally submit it through since Pell Grants only work until you've completed a bachelor's degree. It stinks because I'd love to get a second bachelor's degree but I've completed the BA so I'm done with financial aid.

[bldclot2]

Maybe you can complete the AA with a CLEP/DSST, out of pocket?

[rebel100]

I think (don't know for 100% certain) that you are up against Federal Law...pretty sure others are right in pointing out that once you have the Bachelors your funding options restrict...as they should.

What's the point of an AA once you have the BA? I thought the AA would be pretty general anyways....am I missing something here?

[rebel100]

If you've completed the requirements for a BA you will not receive further aid (at least Pell Grants). No matter how they put it in the computer I don't think they can legally submit it through since Pell Grants only work until you've completed a bachelor's degree. It stinks because I'd love to get a second bachelor's degree but I've completed the BA so I'm done with financial aid.

It might stink...but someone's gotta pay for it. I think 1 degree paid for by others is enough for anyone (I'm grateful for mine and understood it to be a one time thing)....and the OP could likely have finished the AA first and been fine.

[cooperalex2004]

It might stink...but someone's gotta pay for it. I think 1 degree paid for by others is enough for anyone (I'm grateful for mine and understood it to be a one time thing)....and the OP could likely have finished the AA first and been fine.

That's exactly what I meant, anyone lucky enough to qualify for Pell Grants should be happy to complete their degree. For anyone else looking to double up on degrees or finish an AA and BA, make sure you plan it out to finish in order and work with your school to meet the requirements. As for the OP (esummer), I can always recommend the AAS in Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies. If you meet the BA requirements than all you'd need is FEMA credits to complete it. You might also qualify for some AA programs too without taking any more courses, run some evals on the TESC Online Student Services site and find out.

Instead of going back and working on an AA which requires more courses (as you had planned), you could start moving toward a Master's degree.

[Pjbarney]

I'm a little confused. if you have 120 credits, what do you have left to do for the BA? How was your time wasted? I'm not being critical, just wondering if I'm missing something.

[cookderosa]

I enrolled in TESC and was granted financial aid into 2 degree programs, AA/BA, and was recently kicked out of my class and financial aid because I had reached 120 credits.

I tried to explain that although that may be so since I was enrolled in 2 programs, I had still not finished them. But they took it away anyways and I have lost the only method I had to pay for my degree and graduate. A years worth of investment and planning down the drain.

Efforts to speak on the phone to them turned rather rude.

Has this happened to anyone else.

This is confusing. "120 credits" hasn't been the deciding FA factor, it's been holding a BA degree. In other words, a person could hold 2 associates and still enroll in a BA program (case in point: me) and use financial aid. In fact, I used a pell grant and student loan. I'm in grad school now and not up on undergrad FA, but this doesn't sound right!?