What do I do? I've taken too many credits for my FAFSA, so now I must appeal to the dean.?

Question

Am I SOL? I think if I can prove that I'm on track to my degree there is no problem. Is this really bad?

Answer 1

If you're referring to "the 160 (180 some places) hour rule" - there's not much you can do to get around that unless you can clearly demonstrate that you are making satisfactory progress.

If you're working on something like a double major in physics and chemistry with a minor in engineering then it will fly -- if you're taking 7 years to get a BA in Art then you're probably done with fed. financial aid.

You must petition the financial aid office explaining why you aren't done yet.

Answer 2

It's not that you have taken too many credits for FAFSA - the FAFSA is just a tool used to determine your EFC and what types of financial aid you could be eligible for.

Schools have to follow what is called SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress). There are minimal standards set for each school by the federal government, but each school is different in how those standards are applied.

You have Qualitative (where you have to maintain a minimum GPA for your grade level), Quantitative (where you have to complete at least the mimimum percentage of all credit hours for which you are registered), and Maximum Time Frame (the point where you no longer qualify for federal aid because you have exceeded number of hours required for graduation in your program of study, including any transferred hours accepted for credit toward the degree).

Maximum Time Frame sounds like what you are talking about here. It may be bad if you still have many credits you need to take in order to graduate; it may not be bad if you only have a few more classes that need to be taken. Review your school's SAP policy and question/heed what the financial aid office and/or dean have to say about your situation.

Good luck!