Is it weird to enroll as a Freshman at a Community College after having your

[Mixed Breed]

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Bachelors degree? In other words, I have a Bachelors degree and am applying to a community college as a freshman so that I can received financial aid. Can I do this?

I am simply doing this so that I can complete my pre-reqs in order to apply to PT school.

 

[markelmarcel]

I don't really know how that's possible, unless you lied at some point and said you never attended school before... I don't really know how CC's work though, but the university I received my bachelor's from had a post-bach non-degree seeking category that I fell under (I did not receive financial aid.)

 

[Yohan]

I did that so, yes you can do that. I graduate undergrad in '01 and then started taking prereqs one at a time in '07 while working fulltime. I then decided that was going to take forever so I quit my job and enrolled in a CC fulltime. I obviously needed financial aid so when I inquired about it they said I needed to claim an "intended" degree to recieve financial aid. I explained my intention for taking classes there (ie I wasn't there to earn a degree, I was there just to complete my prereqs for PT) and they told me I could claim "general studies" as my intended degree. So I did and got approved for financial aid.

 

[Mixed Breed]

I'm glad to hear that. I fear that if I were to disclose that, that perhaps they would force me to enroll as a continuing ed student, hence no financial aid. Also, the only way I could start classes in the fall is if I apply as a Freshman.

I have a question...when I apply for financial aid, wouldn't it show up in the FAFSA system that I already received financial aid at another school and wouldn't the community college I would be going to find this out?

I did that so, yes you can do that. I graduate undergrad in '01 and then started taking prereqs one at a time in '07 while working fulltime. I then decided that was going to take forever so I quit my job and enrolled in a CC fulltime. I obviously needed financial aid so when I inquired about it they said I needed to claim an "intended" degree to recieve financial aid. I explained my intention for taking classes there (ie I wasn't there to earn a degree, I was there just to complete my prereqs for PT) and they told me I could claim "general studies" as my intended degree. So I did and got approved for financial aid.

 

[Mixed Breed]

What was the cost of the post-bacc?

I don't really know how that's possible, unless you lied at some point and said you never attended school before... I don't really know how CC's work though, but the university I received my bachelor's from had a post-bach non-degree seeking category that I fell under (I did not receive financial aid.)

 

[powemb3]

Be careful.

I tried that this last year and had it all worked out. I had spoke with many advisors that had told me to claim a degree and had even enrolled in a degree program to become eligible for the aid. I even had advisors tell me I had been approved and to be expecting aid. When I went to inquire about my financial aid before classes began I had a very unpleasant lady tell me I was trying to scam the entire system and treated me like a criminal. I told her I was just doing what had been advised to me but it did not work. I had to take a loan out from my parents and pay for the courses out of pocket.

I guess I would tell you to keep a backup plan just incase!

Good luck!

 

[Yohan]

My understanding is that you can legally receive aid as a Post-Bac as long as you are a degree seeking student (which in actuality is just a box that gets marked). The difference between undergrad loans and post grad loans is the type of loan. If you have already earned a degree (ie post bac) you are only eligible for subsidized loans (interest accrues while in school).

 

[Mixed Breed]

Here is the thing, how many schools offer a Post-Bacc program that allows you to enter as a Pre-PT student? Most of them cater to the pre-med students. The only school I know of in NYC that offers a Post-Bacc for Pre-PT students is NYU and I'm sure they are expensive.

I received a substantial amount of grants during undergrad and am wondering if I could enroll as an undergrad again as a degree student at a community college, so that I can have some financial aid money. I think I can do it.

My understanding is that you can legally receive aid as a Post-Bac as long as you are a degree seeking student (which in actuality is just a box that gets marked). The difference between undergrad loans and post grad loans is the type of loan. If you have already earned a degree (ie post bac) you are only eligible for subsidized loans (interest accrues while in school).

 

[Yohan]

It says here that professional degree seeking students are eligable for aid...

http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2009-2010/english/typesofFSA_loans.htm

 

[Litlwarrior08]

Yohan I believe you are right. There are no post undergrad grants. Loans are always a different story but both do require the FAFSA application.

 

[markelmarcel]

What was the cost of the post-bacc?

I did 37 credits of work for about $10k.

I'm glad to see some others who say that it has worked for them though, I never enrolled in a CC to fulfill all my prereqs, just 2 courses and then I did the rest at my local (cheap) state uni.