Under my to do list it says that my academic program (major) is not federally approved for financial aid but I am a nursing major and I have always been at my school. I have not changed or modified it in anyway and I got financial aid last year so I am not sure why I have this message. I’ve spoken with the financial aid people and counselor many times since I’ve had this message since April. The financial aid people told me it would go away soon but it is almost time for the fall semester to start and I still have that message and no award letter.
I need help
Send written communication to the FA office in the form of an email or letter. Scan your grades from pre nursing coursework and ask again about your award letter.
How many years have you been attending your community college?
Do you already have an associates degree?
How many credits do you have?
It is possible that your school lost its accreditation… or the program did- having nothing to do with you. Weak academic standards, graduates unable to pass the licensing exams year after year and not being able to work as nurses- these are things that can cause a program to no longer qualify for federal aid.
How many credits do you have and is there another school close by which you can transfer to (which is accredited)?
@thumper1 I’ve attended my community college for 1 year, this fall I would be starting my 2nd year.
@sybbie719 I don’t have an associates degree yet and I am currently have 50 units and a 3.26 gpa. Not good for nursing I know but its still a fair gpa.
@blossom I did not think of that but wouldn’t students be made aware of that? Is there anywhere I can check if the school/program is accredited?
I go to LACC by the way, there are other schools nearby but id rather not transfer out to another CC.
On trying to search for LACC’s accreditation I saw that ELAC was placed on warning to close the nursing program. Not sure if that is affecting LACC also.
Both LA City and LA County nursing programs seem fine.
http://www.rn.ca.gov/education/rnprograms.shtml
Double check all of your financial aid documentation, both things you filled out yourself and paperwork you received from the school and gov. I’m wondering if the school code may be incorrectly entered somewhere.
@otterma on the fafsa page the lacc school code is shown not sure if you’re referring to that but it’s there. I plan on going Tuesday asking in person but I really don’t think I’ll get any answers as I’ve been there already lots of times.
Yes, that’s the code I was thinking of. It occurred to me that one way your situation could be explained is if somewhere in the process the wrong school code was attached to your account. Unlikely perhaps but whatever’s happening sounds pretty strange already.
Can you find out if any other nursing majors are getting this message?
Is this a new program? If so, it’s possible that the school has not yet received approval from the Department of Education for the program, which would mean students in the program are not eligible for financial aid. It’s really important that you find out exactly why you are getting the notification. Please do not take the word of a financial aid representative that you will get the aid … if this is a notification that is appearing in error, get the financial aid director to put it in writing. You want to make sure that your file is thoroughly reviewed, in case whomever is answering your question does not have the complete picture.
OP had aid last year.
In the first post, FA has been telling her, since April, that the problem “would go away soon.” I’d want to know just what the problem is.
If it’s just a low-priority recording error on the portal, but her aid itself is not in jeopardy, that’s different than being denied.
If all else is the same as last year - no change of major, etc - then it is a puzzle. Yes, it could be an error - but it is always best to know for sure.