There are two other options for financial aid that you can consider. I know these are possible, as my friend is using one option, and I am using another.
Option #1: Apply as a degree seeking student to the university. This will get you financial aid as if you were a regular undergrad. Nobody will hunt you down if you never finish the degree. My friend chose this option, not because she was aiming for more FA, but because when she called the univ. and told them she wanted to apply to take pre-reqs for pharmacy school, they sent her a regular undergrad application. Of course, this is a bit of a hassle, as the regular application is more of a pain, costs more, and requires a transcript.
Option #2: Apply as a non-degree seeking continuing education student. You are eligible for twelve consecutive months of financial aid (if you don't take summer classes - too bad, you just lost 3 months of eligibility) at a current limit of $10,500 per academic year. However, if you plot out your twelve consecutive months over two academic years (I took FA for Spring, Summer and Fall 2004), you can receive that amount both years. (either that or my Financial aid office screwed up, because they gave me $10,500 to be split among summer and fall). Typically, the application process is nothing (I filled out a one page form and paid $30 - no transcript required) and some schools give you a high scheduling priority. You will have to have a form filled out that stated that the courses you are enrolled in are pre-requisites for admission to professional school.
Now - my personal thoughts on the above. From the sounds of it, you have too many courses to take to fit them all in in a 12 month period. I did it, but it entailed two 20 hour quarters (physics, biology, gen chem, and calc), and taking the entire year of organic chemistry in 8 weeks over the summer. Unless you are going to take one or the other of the chemistry's over the summer, it will take two years. ( I highly recommend gen chem in a summer session over o-chem). Given that, option #1 is recommended.
You could, in theory, start in the summer with gen chem, and take bio, ochem, and physics over the regular year. Gen chem is often a prereq for bio. You may need to check into math pre-reqs for gen chem and physics. You also need to consider whether or not that kind of course load will allow you time to work (if necessary) and prep for the MCAT.
Good luck - message me if you have more questions.
amy
