FAFSA and Droping a class???

Question

Currently I am taking 12 hours but I was thinking of maybe dropping a class so therefore I would be 9 hours...now will this affect my financial aide for next semester I want to attend? Will I be denied or reduced? Currently I attend University of Houston....not sure if that makes a diffrence....and I got a grant as well as loans....thanks!

Answer 1

Financial aid can be affected when a student drops classes. Essentially, an undergraduate student must be taking 12 credits to be considered full-time. 6 credits is considered part-time. Your 9 credits would be considered "part-time."

Different financial aid programs have different enrollment status requirements, as follows:

* In order to retain your Stafford Loan funding, you must be enrolled at least half-time -- which you would be at 9 credits -- so there's no need to worry about losing that one.

* Perkins Loans and SEO Grants (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants) CAN be awarded to less-than-full-time students. However, it's important to know that schools, to some extent, allocate these funds as they see fit. A school is not supposed to *take away* your Perkins or SEOG simply because you drop below full-time status. However, they are allowed to decrease the amount you're getting (which is logical if your costs have also decreased).

* If you are receiving a scholarship from UH, you will need to check with them to determine whether your enrollment status will affect your eligibility. For the most part, schools maintain control over the terms & conditions of their own scholarship awards, and it is possible that they have a rule stating that you need to be full-time in order to keep your institutional funding. It's well worth asking.

* Similarly, if you're receiving a scholarship from a private organization (i.e. the WalMart Scholarship), you should check the terms of the award. They might require you to notify them if your enrollment status changes.

*Finally, Pell Grants. This is where you will most likely lose some money. Pell Grant awards are always pro-rated for less-than-full-time students. You can use this chart to calculate what your new Pell Grant might become if you are part-time for for 07-08 (you will need to know your EFC to use this chart, which is on page 2): http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/attachments/2007paysch.pdf

Answer 2

I suggest you speak with a financial aid adviser. When I was in college the same situation happened to me and I was told that as long as I completed the expected units by the end of the semester I would be fine. I know that if you don't you are put on a "finaid probation" and after the second year that you don't meet the requirements you are not allowed to receive any additional grants(it does not affect your loans). However, there is a petition process.

So again set up an appointment with your finaid adviser so that they can go over everything with you.

Answer 3

I would check with your school, but generally you must be taking 12 units to be full-time. It wouldn't affect your aid for next semester, I think they make you pay back any extra that you received this year when they thought you would be full-time.