NursingLink

Hey Everyone

Well its me again - the one who feels hopeless in Mississippi.  As the subject line reads - I just feel like giving up on trying to get into the nursing field.  I am honestly to the point of tears.  If any of you reading this has read my other posts regarding the issues I have been having with the CC I was attending you know what has been going on.  I have been battling it out with this CC for what seems like forever to get the financial aid straightened out - but have not been successful.  Now they have completely frozen my records and won't forward my transcript to any other CC so that I can transfer and continue my education.  I honestly don't have any more fight in me.  What is sad is that I have worked hard to make it this far and now I feel like I have hit a brick wall.  No other CC will let me register without a transcript from the CC I was attending.  I know I could contact the state board of education regarding this but really what good would it do.  The CC I was attending is a well respected college - so even if I did that I would probably be fighting a loosing battle.  Part of me just wants to say forget it and work in a factory the rest of my life - the other part of me wants to kick butt and not give up the fight.  I really want to be a nurse - but at this point I don't know what else there is I can do.  Any ideas?

Did they freeze the records due to financial reasons? If so, try to work out a payment plan. As a lawyer I have done that for lots of friends - something can usually be worked out, and lots of money is saved. For example, if you owe, say, $20,000, the creditor would probably settle for $15,000 (just a guess) and monthly payments. you need an attorney licensed to practice in your state. Or, contact them yourself and negotiate. With a couple of letters and phone calls, you may get good results.

Other than a debt, I can't imagine what right they would have to freeze records - if they don't have a legitimate reason, sounds like a potential discrimination suit.

You're right - I've seen those ridiculous things too! But with a little pressure they might at least agree to release the transcripts.

Most institutions would rather give in a little rather than start paying their legal department to fend off a suit.

Theala - first to address your statement as to how much I owe - $704.21.  As for milking the financial aid system - I don't feel that is what I have done - although there are probably some that think differently.  And to add to that - I have known "students" that have milked the financial aid system for thousands.

It is really a long story to try to explain this issue - basically it all boiled down to not meeting the Academic Standard in which to receive financial assistance.  This was not based on my grades - as I was on the President's List - it was because I had withdrawn from too many classes over a period of time.  I know I am at fault for withdrawing - for what ever reason.  But at the time that I withdrew I was sick and did not know what was wrong with me - neither did the doctors I was going to.  After I began to get better - I contacted the financial aid department at this CC and explained my situation as to why I had withdrawn so much.  The director was gracious enough to work with me and granted me an appeal to return this past Spring semester on the grounds that I enrolled as a full time student and kept my grades up.  I did this - I registered for my classes, worked hard, maintained good grades and was even on the President's List at the end of the semester.  I took 15 hrs during that semester - which was very hard since I work full time also.  When it came time to register for summer semester - I got my ducks in a row - checked into the courses that I needed and registered.  I had questions regarding a letter I had received from the financial aid department and attempted to contact the director - but could not get up with him.  Therefore I talked to his assistant - she assured me that I had nothing to worry about that I was on the right track and to go ahead and register for the semester.  I was again receiving financial aid assistance.  However, after the semester started working more hours and I did realize that summer semesters on a faster pace that fall and spring semesters.  The courses I was taking were tough and very important courses to take in order to get into a nursing program.  Unfortunately I became overwhelmed with everything and could not handle it.  I talked to the financial aid director, who informed me that I was not even supposed to be getting financial aid for the summer, and told him about my situation.  At this time he informed me that I was not meeting the standard requirements and that I would no longer be able to get financial aid through this CC.  If that was the situation - why wasn't I told that from the beginning?  If I needed more hours to possibly help meet the standard requirements to get aid - why wasn't I advised of this?  I felt like I had worked hard for nothing.  So since I had already started the courses and used part of the aid to get books and such - what I had used - they are saying I have to pay back.  Until I do - my records are basically "frozen" until paid.

SORRY SO LONG.

(((Sandra)))   Don't give up, look how far you have come!  This is just a minor setback. 

Call the CC and make a payment plan for the 700 owed.  Once it's paid you can move on and it will be a learning experience. 

I am not in a nursing program yet.......I am sure there will be situations/events that will push you to the limit  - you need to rise above, rationalize, move forward, and learn from every situation, dont let things hold you back, find a way to work with or around them and keep on keeping on.  You can do this, if you want this bad enough you can do it. 

Hang in there Sandra!

Love, Shell

Theala is right - to a point - I do that kind of "small amount" case for free (for friends) and it only takes one lawyer's letter and a phone call or two .

Large cases will be fought or not, depending on the estimated amount their legal staff must expend to fight it. I know, I was a personal injury attorney, and all organizations must play that game, including educational institutions. BUT of course she would have to pay the lawyer!

But this is around $700, and I was just hoping she had a lawyer friend who would do it pro bono. I'll bet for that amount they would agree to a reduction in debt and a payment plan - at least enough to get the records released. If she was in NJ I could do it myself. she needs a MS lawyer.

soswalt says ...

Theala - first to address your statement as to how much I owe - $704.21.  As for milking the financial aid system - I don't feel that is what I have done - although there are probably some that think differently.  And to add to that - I have known "students" that have milked the financial aid system for thousands.

It is really a long story to try to explain this issue - basically it all boiled down to not meeting the Academic Standard in which to receive financial assistance.  This was not based on my grades - as I was on the President's List - it was because I had withdrawn from too many classes over a period of time.  I know I am at fault for withdrawing - for what ever reason.  But at the time that I withdrew I was sick and did not know what was wrong with me - neither did the doctors I was going to.  After I began to get better - I contacted the financial aid department at this CC and explained my situation as to why I had withdrawn so much.  The director was gracious enough to work with me and granted me an appeal to return this past Spring semester on the grounds that I enrolled as a full time student and kept my grades up.  I did this - I registered for my classes, worked hard, maintained good grades and was even on the President's List at the end of the semester.  I took 15 hrs during that semester - which was very hard since I work full time also.  When it came time to register for summer semester - I got my ducks in a row - checked into the courses that I needed and registered.  I had questions regarding a letter I had received from the financial aid department and attempted to contact the director - but could not get up with him.  Therefore I talked to his assistant - she assured me that I had nothing to worry about that I was on the right track and to go ahead and register for the semester.  I was again receiving financial aid assistance.  However, after the semester started working more hours and I did realize that summer semesters on a faster pace that fall and spring semesters.  The courses I was taking were tough and very important courses to take in order to get into a nursing program.  Unfortunately I became overwhelmed with everything and could not handle it.  I talked to the financial aid director, who informed me that I was not even supposed to be getting financial aid for the summer, and told him about my situation.  At this time he informed me that I was not meeting the standard requirements and that I would no longer be able to get financial aid through this CC.  If that was the situation - why wasn't I told that from the beginning?  If I needed more hours to possibly help meet the standard requirements to get aid - why wasn't I advised of this?  I felt like I had worked hard for nothing.  So since I had already started the courses and used part of the aid to get books and such - what I had used - they are saying I have to pay back.  Until I do - my records are basically "frozen" until paid.

SORRY SO LONG.

Please note that I wasn't accusing you of anything, simply speculating in broad generalizations.

For that small amount, I would work out a payment plan and pay it off asap.  That is a very small amount even if it seems like a lot right now.  Even if you have a legal case against your school, I doubt you will get an attorney to handle it without it costing more than that, and even if you did, it would take longer than simply paying it off.   The financial office will probably make a payment plan with you, but may or may not allow you to take more courses until then even if you pay cash.  Also, if you don't pay you will be reported to credit reporting agencies, and that will make it impossible for you to get other forms of credit.  If you had Federal loans, you could end up in default, and you do NOT want to default on a Federal student loan.  You will wreck your credit, and not be eligible for any other Federal assistance program, or to work for the federal government.  You could also have difficulties finding employment in other areas if you default on a federal student loan.

This doesn't mean you have to give up on nursing school.  It just means it will take you longer, and you will have pay cash.

Apply for scholarships.  There are a lot of them out there.  And/or work and save your money, and pay cash.  Does your CC have an LPN program?  Going for that would get you into the workworld faster, and you could then bridge to an RN program later.

Your situation sucks, but given your history of constantly withdrawing, I am not surprised by the financial aid office's actions.  The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, and they have NO reason to believe you will follow through and complete your program.  Even though you did well for one semester, it was only ONE semester.

You will have to take and complete courses over several semesters, and pay back what you owe.  Then you might be able to convince them that you have a better track record, and can qualify  to you financial aid in the future.

Good luck.

I really don't think she is saying it's about the money - I feel she is saying it's about the hard time the college is giving her!  None the less if Nursing is you dream don't give up it is only a minor set back and we all have to deal with set backs and trials if I may - they make us stronger in the long run. 

As for you Mr. Brown - glad to see more Fresenius Employees on this site.  I currently work in NC for Fresenius Medical Care as a Patient Care tech and am pursuing a Nursing degree.  I chose not to go through Fresenius for the tuition reimbersement so that I can work where I choose when I'm finished with school, praying to God I can make it as I'm working full time and going to school.