Blew off college 10 years ago- will it come back to bite me in the...?

Question

So I went to San Diego Community College right out of High School (10 yrs ago '07) and basicaly f*ed off for two semesters while collecting my Pell and FAFSA grants. At the wise old age of 28 I now realize I was an idiot and am concidering going back to school. What do I need to do to?
Can I go back (or to different school) with a clean slate or will my bad grades follow me a decade later?
Is there a statue of limitations on grades, forgiveness of some sort?
Do I even bother requesting my transcripts or should I play dumb?
Will I have to pay back those grants?

I'm sure I'm not the first person to blow off school and regret it later- what is a person in my situation to do?

Answer 1

You don't need to pay back grants. You do need to pay back loans.

There are ways to erase at least some of your prior coursework through something called "Academic Renewal." It basically allows you to wipe away a certain amount of semesters based on improved coursework following that term. You don't get to pick and choose the classes you want to keep and/or delete, but it can be a big help.

Financial aid checks your SSN for prior college enrollment, meaning that if you don't tell them about prior coursework, it could potentially put you in a world of legal trouble that you really don't want to get involved with.

The other thing you can do is repeat the courses that you did poorly in. The old grade will stay on the transcript, but the new grade is the only one that will be calculated into the grade point average.....this is presuming you return to the same school you left.

Start with the counseling office of the college you want to attend to put together an educational plan of classes, then head to the financial aid office to see what they can offer. See a counselor you like every semester (whether you think you need it or not) to make sure you are still on track.

You are most definitely not the first person to go to school and do poorly on the first try. I had a really rough time back in the "young and dumb" days, and I have a BA in Psych from North Carolina, and a Master's in Demographic and Social Analysis from UC Irvine.......doctorate to be named soon. :) It is never ever too late to come back. :)

Answer 2

I totally went thru this! There are two ways to handle it.

First, the easy way: go back to the same college and "repeat/delete" all the courses you took. This means repeating the courses for better grades and then having the previous class "struck" from your record. The previous class will not show a grade on your transcript, but it will have a line thru it. Plus, only the most recent grade will count towards your GPA.

If you're like me and moved out of state, the option above is out, so here's what you do:
Do your first year of college and do it REALLY well... you need to show on your transcripts that your academic performance has improved drastically since way back when. (I suggest doing these classes at another community college, where your record doesn't affect admissions). Next, apply for "academic forgiveness" thru the school with the bad record--this will probably involve writing an essay on why they should forgive your former mistakes (their records office will have info on school-specific requirements). If all goes well, they will approve it and your record will be "struck." Keep in mind though, this doesn't mean *poof* its gone... you will still have to provide transcripts for this school if you apply to a professional program or transfer to another university. And the transcripts will look like what I described above; no grades listed, but all the classes are listed with lines thru them. When you apply somewhere, it is best to be upfront about the record! If you have the opportunity (in an essay or short answer), explain how you've learned a lot from this experience, you're a mature and wise adult now, and how you look back and laugh at where your priorities used to be.
**Be warned, however, that not all schools recognize academic forgiveness. If you are apply to transfer or for a program with a minimum GPA requirement, read their catalog to see what their policy is. You don't want any surprises!
Most importantly, don't let your record get you down. I just went thru all of this, and was accepted to a highly competitive nursing program. Use the bad record as an "in;" remember as adult students we have the added favorable characteristics schools are looking for and can't always find in your average 18 to 22-year-old: maturity, personal responsibility, experience, and the ability to learn from mistakes!

Answer 3

The good news is that you aren't the first person to have been too immature at 18 to handle college. Unless you were thinking of applying for Harvard or MIT at this point, you will probably be fine.

The other good news is that grants, unlike loans, don't have to be repaid. You will be fine on that count.

The bad news is that old grades don't completely go away and yes, you do need to request transcripts. If you were planning on going to a community college again, you can still get in and, if you decide to transfer elsewhere after two years after doing better this time around, those grades will no longer be a part of your GPA at the 4-year school.

I dropped out of school twice, ended up on academic probation, and now have a master's and two doctorates. The foolishness of youth does have some consequences, but it can be overcome. I wish you luck and a much better academic experience this time around!

Answer 4

Make an appointment with an admitting counselor at the college that you are considering attending and see what they can do for you. Your grades won't matter, you can take those classes over. One look on their computer and they will know that you have already taken classes.
I am sure that you will have to pay back the loans, they never disappear. After getting my Associates, I thought that I had more important things to do. If you don't do it now, you will be doing it at my ripe age of 39. Ask me how much I enjoy working in a Pre-K, taking two night courses, spending time with my husband and trying to see every softball/baseball game that my kids have. I manage, but if I had done it ten years ago, I would be so much better off. Thankfully, I have a great support system. Get it over with, you won't be sorry.

Answer 5

You don't have to pay back grants, and if you have financial need now, you should still be elegible to receive more grant and loan money. Of course, you should visit the financial aid office of the school you'd attend to find out all your options.

With bad grades, you won't be elegible for some financial aid, and so you'll have to get good grades in the future to bring up your GPA. My community college allows you to expunge F's and withdrawls earned at their school either after a certain number of years or after completing two semesters with C's or better. I've never heard of forgiveness for bad grades when moving from one school to another.

You'll only need transcripts if the school you apply to asks for them. Same goes for financial aid sources.

I think the key is to start up again at a community college, and get as much info as you can about what assistance (financial and otherwise) they offer to re-entry students. I go to SRJC (http://www.santarosa.edu), and it is a great school for people in our situation. Good luck!

Answer 6

playing "dumb" is...well DUMB
as any higher learning facility can find this & it can majorly F you up later if lie about it

What I would do...if you live in the same area... I would contact that college advisor... tell them you would like to re-enroll as an adult returning to school.... then get whatever together to make sure that your credits transfer if you don't want to finish at that school.. it is much better to bring your grades back up (even if repeating a course).... at the same school because for folks like you, it shows a maturity that you didn't have back then

My sister had to research this last year before entering back into school after a 12 year gap -- she partied & failed out..... her only course of action (per the school she wanted to start-over with) was to not start-over with anything but the school she had been at prior & then re-take anything that needed to be brought up... then as she aquired the new grades it showed a different level of maturity (and they were willing to change the old grade to Audit so that she got the benefit of her new GPA)

Her "new start" has worked out so well & it is difficult going to school full-time with 2 kids & all of thier activities.... But she is doing it & doing it well... She will be one of the next years RNs

I wish you well in your Next Life Chapter :)

Answer 7

Well, since it has been such a long time, I dont think they will look into your transcripts if you dont say anything about it. But of course, I highly doubt you can get any kind of government aid. But as far as the grades, I think you can start again with a clean slate. And grants I dont think you pay back, but loans you do have to.

Answer 8

Call the Academic Advisement dept of the school you're interested in and make an appointment to talk to an advisor, either in person or over the phone. Make a list of all your questions and get this info from the advisor. This is what they do for a living.

Answer 9

your grades become null after 2 years out i think, so you have to take assessment tests. youll probably start lower than you expect but its better that way.

i quit several years back but returned over the winter. the world kicked my *** and now i see that i need at least a bachelors degree to get a sliver of respect in corporate america. go back NOW. better at 28 than 48.

Answer 10

you could try one of those online colleges, i dont think they'd ask for anything from you except money. and i dont think adult programs require you to have your high school transcripts.

if you dont know whether you have to pay back your grants, just dont. if they want your money, they'll ask for it.