So my mother in law was diagnosed with breast cancer during week 3 (out of 11 weeks) of classes. I decided to drop one of my classes to make the semester a little easier (4 credit class) then I found out the she passed away during week 7 of classes. I missed a week of classes. Still signed up for 2 classes (4 credits each). During the week I missed, I missed important deadlines in one class and met with teacher who refused to take late work, so essentially I failed that class. The last class my teacher understood and was understanding. Still enrolled and currently have an A. I decided to file an appeal early since I knew I would be in unsatisfactory status. They denied my appeal and canceled my financial aide. I have no idea what to do or what my options are. My current gpa is 3.69
Your MIL was diagnosed with breast cancer and then died 4 weeks later? That is highly unusual. Sorry to hear about your family’s loss.
regarding “losing” financial aid (not loosing…and not aide)…
Is this your first year of college? If not, what were your previous year’s grades?
I think the problem is that you didn’t complete enough credits. Are they telling you that you owe money??? Do you need to pay back some aid?
If you didn’t meet SAP you don’t qualify for aid until you are inline. If your appeal was denied then that is final. So you will have to self pay until you get into compliance. Make sure you know exactly what the SAP is for your school–often it is in the online student handbook-- and map out a plan to get back, then you can get aid again.
Are you a graduate student? I mean, you are already married. Four weeks from diagnosis to death? Quite unusual. Most institutions do have medical emergencies, which are taken into account. You don’t say if you have merit aid, or need based aid, or even your grade level. Provide more information.
My MIL was 84 years old, second diagnosis. The first was 20 years ago and she was in remission, YES it was very sudden. I am a widow, my husband passed 7 years ago. I have 2 semesters to go before I am done, and also YES this is my first semester that I have not finished. I have reviewed the schools SAP rules and yes they say gpa should be above 2.0 (check, 3.69) & complete 70% of completion ratio. So yes, it is because I registered for 12 credits and completed 4. They also stated that for “extenuating circumstances” that can be documented, you would be placed on warning status, and must complete all registered classes for the next semester. I provided the obituary and marriage certificate to the financial aid office. But this was still their decision.
If you are someone who is much older than the majority of students, you could claim age discrimination. If it was me, I would contact a legal group willing to help, Also, if you are older, try it, schools don’t like bad publicity. It is your education, do what you have to do to insure you get it. Good luck.
@bordertexan, on what basis could OP possibly claim age discrimination? Family illness and death can affect any student at any time, and the school is applying the same rules to her that it applies to everyone else. Unless OP was the sole caregiver to her mother-in-Iaw, I don’t really understand why this woman’s illness necessitated OP dropping a class, and missing a full week of classes for a death in the family (without checking on the consequences with both professors in advance) seems excessive unless the funeral required travel overseas. Unfortunately, OP made some poor decisions and will have to live with the consequences.
Age discrimination issue aside, don’t be so callous and self-righteous. This lady had a death in the family. That is NOT easy. Grief is a very real, very hard, very personal thing, and I think a week off of classes is incredibly short.
Seriously, shame on you. They would be poor academic choices perhaps worthy of criticism in other circumstances, but OP was doing what she needed to stay sane.
@CourtneyThurston
Taking a week off for the death of a MIL is a lot. The grieving process may be longer, but typically people have to go right back to work after the death of someone who isn’t a spouse or child.
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but OP was doing what she needed to stay sane.
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dramatic much?
Frankly, from the sound of the OP’s story, she wasn’t really involved with this MIL…“found out that she passed away.”
I don’t mean to dismiss anything, but I lost my MIL a few months ago, and yes it was sad, but it’s not as if I was incapable of work/school for a week. Losing someone in their 80s is sad, but it’s not the shocking loss of losing a spouse or child or youngish friend.
It sounds like the OP traveled for the funeral and took a week to do so. That was a choice and a risky choice since she was in school. Frankly, many jobs will only let you have 3 days off for those circumstances…not a whole week.
I’m sorry about your loss, but did you inform the professors of your absence ahead of time? Can you get the one professor to give you an incomplete and get more time to finish assignments?
You might have lost the aid when you dropped the class since you were under 70% at that time.
@gearmom, I guess you’re right, 8 credits/12 credits is 67%.
@bordertexan Of course. Cry that you were discriminated against. That’s the American way right? Everything is always someone else’s fault.
To the OP I am sorry that you have had these things to deal with. They are truly sad and I don’t mean to minimize them but lots of people have difficult things to deal with. If you knew the requirements for keeping your financial aid and didn’t meet them then I’m not sure anyone owes you anything. You made your appeal and it was unfortunately denied. The fact that it sounds like you have been through some tough things in your life and are still working at your education indicates to me that you will find a way to make it work. Good luck.
No, I’m thinking this person is a middle aged, recently widowed, going back to school. And, there are many professors and administrators who would rather not give an older person the same consideration as a younger person. And yes, lawyers are the American way. Otherwise, most colleges would look a whole lot different. If the person has nothing else, why not try ageism. Whatever works. Key word: works, which is what she is wanting to do.
I’m afraid you understand how many/most instructors feel about older students.
OP, sorry about all this. An appeal seems like your best option at this point.
OP lost the appeal. Might have been dropping the class that lost the aid.
@bordertexan
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No, I'm thinking this person is a middle aged, recently widowed,
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While losing a spouse is always sad, I doubt anyone who say that losing a spouse SEVEN YEARS ago is “recently widowed.”
There is nothing here to suggest age discrimination. Instead what’s suggested is a rather loosey-goosey treatment of one’s education opportunities with financial aid…