I am a student at Brandman University. I qualify for financial aid , I have an EFC of 0. I just finished my Fall 1 semester and am starting Fall 2 this week. I have been waiting for my financial aid award since the beginning of the Fall semester but the school has told me they are having issues with their software. They cannot or will not give me an estimate on when funds will be disbursed although they did verify I do qualify for aid and loans. I am in desperate need of the aid to buy books for this semester. Besides the school, who can I contact to complain? I am getting no where with Brandman.
I’m confused. Are you saying you decided to attend a college this year without a financial aid award?
Are you a freshman? When were your financial aid application materials filed? Did the school ask for any additional information to verify your financial status?
When did this financial aid issue begin…during the summer?
They did give me an award letter but they have stated that they are having software issues. I am considered a sophmore, I qualify for all aid including loans however Brandman implemented a new software program, and “a handful” of students got caught in the glitch. My 1st fall session started 8/31 ended last week and I am starting 2nd Fall session today 10/26. I was a student over the summer as well and got my financial aid with no problem.
If you received a financial aid award letter, it should give you the amounts of your aid. Can the school confirm those numbers? As a sophomore, you could get a $6500 Direct Loan for the year. If your EFC is $0, you would get $5730 in Pell grant money. These numbers assume full time enrollment for two semesters.
Was summer part of last school year financial aid…or is it part of this year’s? If it is part of the 2015-2016 school year, that will reduce the remaining Direct Loan money, and your Pell.
Is the school asking you for money…or is it that you anticipated a refund which you hoped to use for books, etc?
Do you have a part time job?
Some schools will give short term loans, or allow students to put books on their student account. Ask about these options.
The school verified all grants and loan amounts, I qualify for everything. The summer session was for 2014/2015. The only issue is on their end with their software. I do have an open bill with them but they are not enforcing any interest charges until they figure out how to solve their software issue. I work full time but I budgeted my school expenses anticipating the financial aid. I really just want to know who I can contact to make a formal complaint.
You want to know how to make a formal complaint? See below:
[Quote] For issues about financial aid, fraud, waste or abuse of federal funds, special education or civil rights contact the U.S. Department of Education. Listed below is contact information for these issues:
Office of the Inspector General investigates fraud, waste or abuse of federal educational funds, including federal student aid funds.
Federal Student Aid’s Ombudsman will help resolve issues regarding student loan complaints, by working with you and the lender.
Office for Civil Rights enforces several Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education. You may contact their office directly at 1(800)421-3481 or locate one of their 12 enforcement offices.
Have you talked to anyone at your school outside of the financial aid office? If your school has a Dean of Students, or an Ombudsman, you might ask for help there.
Brandman is a nonprofit online school. It might be harder than usual to contact people. OP, you have not clearly stated what funds exactly you are expecting so it is not clear that you have a refund coming. If you are sure you are then figure it out yourself since you can’t answer simple questions. You were given the info to complain to FAFSA processors. If there is money involved above and beyond federal aid, that is at the state or school level you take it up with them. Refer to your student handbook.
Remember, you must be a full time student in order to be eligible for full time aid
Full Pell $5775
Full Sophomore loan $6500
Total aid $12,775
Did Brandman offer you any institutional aid that you will not have to repay (not additional loans, because this would be way too much debt)? If yes, what are the conditions of you getting the aid? Are books and supplies included in the cost? Are you a california resident, eligible for a Cal Grant?
Even if they did not your tuition would be $6000/semester taking the minimum of 12 credits per semester (not fall1/fall 2). Once they add fees, which I am sure are more than $275 per semester, I don’t see you getting any money back.
What are you pursuing a degree in? What are your plans after graduation
Personally, unless you are totally home bound, you could probably commute to your local CC for less money