<p>Hey guys! My names Lenny and I have a predicament that I am hoping this community can help with. I am currently in a bind after being dismissed at the end of last year from Soka University of America, in California, for grades. The qualification for dismissal was recieving two semesters of probationary status (under a 2.0 gpa) for two semesters in a row (both freshmen semesters). After the dismissal, the academic board decided I could be accepted for readmission with the condition that I recieve a 3.0 GPA or higher with 12.0 units or higher at any college level school. As of now, after the summer and fall semester, I have 15.0 units and a 3.33 at Santa Monca College, which is also in California.
My problem lies here.
I was accepted for readmission, BUT last year I enrolled recieving 100% financial aid in Loans ($33,000 1 year). Because I left on probationary status, I am supposed to return on probationary status, until I raise my grades at Soka University of America during my first returned semester. The discrepency in my plan for returning to college sits in the hands of the financial aid lady who says theres no way I can get loans or financial aid for my first semester because of my probationary status. Because I cant get any support to pay for my first semester, I can’t return to school to raise my GPA.
Heres the deal. My school offers a full tuition based scholarship for students whos parents earn less then $60,000 in annual income, if you have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Because of this, my plan is if I can be at school for 1 semester I will beable to get a GPA higher then a 3.0 (non-cumilative) by the end of the first semester, leaving me with no problems having to deal with financial aid after my first returned semester.
MY QUESTION TO ALL OF YOU!
I need to know if theres any way to get a loan from a 3rd party or any emergency loan with my GPA from Santa Monica College, before this January, to carry to Soka University of America. I would be best fit with a government low interest loan, but at this point I could use any support from a scholerly loan system (be it bank, union, or any support). My father went into bankrupcy three years back, and because of that I think his ability to recieve a loan is shot. My grandmother on the other hand owns a house, but she is in her 80’s. I know this is a lot of information but I am in a bind, I need to return to school so I can pursue Law school as soon as possible. I am currently open to ANY suggestions.
If you respond I will read anything you link.
Please please please help me get back into college. I know there are some brilliant minds on the internet, and I hope you guys can help. Thank you!</p>
<p>We probably need some more information – </p>
<p>How were you paying for Santa Monica College? Why are you so set on attending Soka University? How much does Soka University cost – and how much can you pay without loans? How did you pay for room/board/books/transportation/etc in 2007-2008 at Soka (I assume you paid for those expenses, since it is just tuition-based assistance that is given).</p>
<p>It is perfectly reasonable that Soka University wants you to assume the cost of at least one semester – if you attended full-time for a year and have less than a 2.0, my guess is that you dropped/withdrew/failed the majority of you classes. That was alot of money Soka invested in you (the tuition-based scholarship) that was wasted. I would definitely check the particulars of reinstating your financial assistance. Make sure that it is just one semester that you have to achieve a 3.0 and not cumulative. Also see if the credits from Santa Monica count towards GPA and/or completion rate (which is something else to check on).</p>
<p>I don’t know of any loan program you are eligible for – any government loans/financial assistance require you to be in good academic standing at your school, which you are not.</p>
<p>Your best bet is to humbly speak with the director of financial aid at Soka (if you are determined to attend there). Ask for particulars on what you need to do to attend – and suggestions on how to do it. They may suggest another semester at Santa Monica, they may suggest you work part-time and attend Soka part-time and pay for those classes. I don’t know – but they will know what to tell you.</p>
<p>There isn’t going to be any simple/easy answer. You had your chance, you blew it – and now you have to be an adult and face the consequences. I wish you the best of luck. </p>
<p>You might consider working full-time and attending community college part-time until you have 60 hours under your belt and then applying for a transfer to a 4-year university. It is probably not what you really want – but financially the better choice.</p>
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<p>You took out $33,000 in loans for your freshman year of college? Am I reading that correctly??</p>
<p>Your average GPA is going to be a combination of the grades you received originally at Soka and the grades at Santa Monica. That is probably why you cannot get financial aid - you probably do not meet the academic progress rules for aid. Unless they will grant an appeal to give you financial aid you will not be eligible for any federal loans. Even if you were, Federal loans will not amount to anywhere near $30k. It is unlikely anyone will lend you such a sum without at least a cosigner. </p>
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Are you quite sure it is based on non cumulative GPA? Nearly every GPA requirement I have ever read of for merit or need based aid is based on the cumulative GPA. </p>
<p>I am not sure why you mentioned your grandmother owning a house - I sincerely hope you are not thinking of her as any sort of cosigner or collateral for your loans. It would be very wrong and selfish to put her at risk of losing her home in order for you to get what you want.</p>
<p>It is not worth extreme debt. Few have heard of it.</p>
<p>Finish at Santa Monica College. You have a good start there. Look into their guaranteed
transfer program with UCLA or a similar public college. UCLA is much more well known than
Soka and much cheaper. Apply for financial aid at UCLA. </p>
<p>You are doing much better at SMC than at Soka. So don’t go back to a place where you did not do well.</p>