Repaying governemet grants: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Feb. 15, 2011 9:06 a.m. Appleseed SuperDork

I berkleyed up, big time. Last semester, I took a chemistry class. Double checked it against NIU's curriculum. It checks out. They were equivalent. The course rubric from NIU looked like I needed two chem classes. The current semester roles around and I decide to take the next class of chem.

I didn't need to.

My community college lists the chem lecture and lab as the same class number. NIU does not. That's why I thought there were two classes.

So I'm in a class that I loath, am doing poorly in, and I don't need. I worked hard to get a 3.5 gpa and I think I'll struggle to get the required C needed for the grant. BTW this is the only class I took this semester. I've taken every thing else I can possibly taken here.

So I'm canning the class.

My question is, what will I have to pay back? I've been in class for about 4 weeks. Do they look at that? I was my only class. I know I'll have to pay back some.

I suppose the best thing to do is assume that the full amount is to be repaid and start selling organs.
Feb. 15, 2011 9:16 a.m. Strizzo SuperDork

where i went to school, you had a certain number of days to receive a full refund, then it would be prorated for another number of days after that. you might see what they can do for you to get as much money back for your grant as possible, but four weeks is probably well past that.

after that, not sure other than suck it up and pay back the grant in hopes that they'll keep giving you more money in the future...
Feb. 15, 2011 9:19 a.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

At my schools, after the drop/add period (maybe 1 week?) you could drop, but you didn't get a refund.
Feb. 15, 2011 9:22 a.m. mtn SuperDork

Go in and talk with MCC's financial aid office. I'm sure they have one. If they don't, call NIU's. Talk to someone who knows what they are doing, because this stuff is too confusing to figure out on your own.
Feb. 15, 2011 9:23 a.m. minimac SuperDork

just finish and take a Pass/Fail. It won't affect the GPA. Unless you're going to fail, then bite the bullet. BTW, grants normally are gifts and not paid back. After four weeks, you're probably stuck paying for the class anyway and a dropped class does show up on a transcript.
Feb. 15, 2011 9:26 a.m. mtn SuperDork

minimac wrote:

just finish and take a Pass/Fail. It won't affect the GPA. Unless you're going to fail, then bite the bullet. BTW, grants normally are gifts and not paid back. After four weeks, you're probably stuck paying for the class anyway and a dropped class does show up on a transcript.

Ding!
Feb. 15, 2011 9:30 a.m. triumph5 Dork

You answered you're own question:

"I'll struggle to get the required C needed for the grant. BTW this is the only class I took this semester."

If the class is needed for the grant, you can assume that if you drop it they'll want their money back. It's YOUR ONLY CLASS! Really. too bad.

Sorry to open a can of whoop ass, and I've never done this before on this forum, but, SUCK IT UP. I know a person in his 40s, married, has a son, works two jobs and carries 14 credits in nursing, with algebra, chemistry and english classes to deal with.

Get off the computer and go study some more so you don't have to pay back the money or lower your GPA.

I'm sure I'm gonna hear about these statements, but, c'mon. Yes, chemistry can be difficult, how about a tutor, extra help???

Sorry to offend those who were........
Feb. 15, 2011 9:35 a.m. Appleseed SuperDork

The reason I posted here is that financial aid can't or won't give me an answer. Three different times, three different people, three slightly different answers. NIU does not care about a W (withdrawal.) I went there an got the answer to that personally.

The class was/is at such a bad hour, that it cut into finding a job. I honestly feel that getting a job right now and paying back the funds is preferable to spending 30-35 hours a week (yes, really) on outside work in addition to 7-8 hours of lecture/lab for this class.

My funds are super low right now, as in non-existent. Fortunately, the bursar's office is willing to allow a payment plan.

No offense is taken. I wouldn't have asked a hard question without expecting a frank answer.
Feb. 15, 2011 9:41 a.m. Strizzo SuperDork

if he has to have a C to qualify for reimbursement, then a P/F grade likely won't qualify. why not check with the people you got the grant from? surely they would be able to give you the real story
Feb. 15, 2011 9:48 a.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

Appleseed wrote:

I've taken every thing else I can possibly taken here.

repeat ENGL101?
Feb. 15, 2011 9:57 a.m. pete240z SuperDork

triumph5 wrote:

how about a tutor.....

My son hired a tutor for Organic Chemistry last year and the school (not NIU) paid part of the cost. He ended up paying $4 an hour for a straight A Chemistry major. Check with the school on this.
Feb. 15, 2011 11:02 a.m. mtn SuperDork

Strizzo wrote:

if he has to have a C to qualify for reimbursement, then a P/F grade likely won't qualify. why not check with the people you got the grant from? surely they would be able to give you the real story

I expect that it would. You typically have to get a C to get the P (no D's, at least here at another Illinois state school), so it would work for the reimbursement, and not hurt the gpa.
Feb. 15, 2011 12:05 p.m. Strizzo SuperDork

In reply to mtn:

i didn't go to an illinois state school, so you're probably right.

at Texas, if a class was part of your core curriculum (required for your major), you had to have a minimum of a C (D was still considered "passing") on the course, and you couldn't take the course pass/fail, because a D would still get you a P.
Feb. 15, 2011 12:13 p.m. mtn SuperDork

Strizzo wrote:

In reply to mtn:

i didn't go to an illinois state school, so you're probably right.

at Texas, if a class was part of your core curriculum (required for your major), you had to have a minimum of a C (D was still considered "passing") on the course, and you couldn't take the course pass/fail, because a D would still get you a P.

Similar here. I can't take any classes required by any of my majors or minors P/F.