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[rctmct2006]

I am an only child. I paid my own way through college by my own perosnal funds back in 1991-1993. I didn't do too well because I was young, didn't realize the consequences and failed to withdraw when I had lengthy absences when I had no choice but to leave frequently to tend my mother who was an ill, blind/renal dialysis patient. Strictly my fault for not simply withdrawing. So I flunked out of many courses due to non-attendance. (Hindsight is 20/20.) I had no idea about federal grants at that time. So, I was paying for all my attempts on my own--with no help at all from an alternatice source.

Since my parent has passed, I recently returned to school in 2005 to finally finish what I had started long ago. I found out about Pell Grants and have received funding since Summer 2005. With F/T family, F/T work, F/T school, my current GPA is 3.6. Much better than back of 1991-1993, of course!

Recently, I received a notice from my original college stating I am being denied Pell becuase I reached the "maximum limit of attempted hours for funding." However, the letter suggested I apply for loans, etc.

How is this possible when I have only begun to recieve the funds rercently for about 1 year? My current EFC is 2557. Am I going to have to apply for those Stafford loans, etc... to finish out my degree plan? We simply cannot afford anything that at this point with 3 people in college: myself, my husband and my 18year-old who graduates 05/06.

Are loans my only way to go? What steps can I take to help finish without going into loans? Can I appeal the Pell grant Denial findings?


Thanks for any helpful hints you can give me!
Tina