Interestingly enough, I actually know someone who was in this exact same position after Spring 2015 semester. OP you are definitely not being hit with this over one class. This rule accounts for all classes you have attempted while receiving financial aid. As you know, you have to complete 67% of attempted hours to remain eligible for aid. This includes ALL fails, withdrawals, and incompletes at ALL institutions where you have taken classes. Unfortunately, even legitimately "expunged" or "pardoned" semesters for medical or personal reasons count towards this total if the semester was funded by financial aid. It's easier to make an appeal case for yourself if something like that was the ONLY thing that made you drop under 67%.
The person I know had slacked around many semesters (one on probation, one failed, many barely passing with some failed classes), then was hit with a medical setback (required significant surgery & leave of absence) which only added to the academic turmoil. Even though this person got the semester with the medical event "expunged" from record, it STILL counted towards the total attempted hours for financial aid. That on top of the "slacking" semesters put her in the same situation as yourself and it's pretty much the end of the line for funding. The government is simply not going to continue funding someone who isn't making reasonable progress towards degree completion and that makes perfect sense. Even appealing, talking with financial aid, meeting with the vice chancellor of the school did nothing. The VC literally told her "I want to support you, but there's really nothing we can do at this point".
BTW, this person gave my other two friends the runaround for about two weeks, just like OP is doing here ("it was only one class" "oh, my grades were decent" etc.) before I thoroughly researched the rule and called BS. You cannot make the mistake of thinking expunged grades do not count towards this. Even if the university completely disregards it and clears it off your transcript, it still counts for financial aid if they paid (loans too) for you to be in school.
What you CAN do OP: 1. Use this time to get better: practice self reflection, hobbies, exercise, perhaps start talking to a therapist or counselor. To quote a GOAT: "How you gone win, when you ain't right within?" Bonus points if you get the reference
2. Find a full time job (any job!) and if you are living with your mom, save as much as possible. This will be your grind, commit to it and push through it. You can later use the money to self fund a couple of classes and get back on the right track.
3. NOT recommended, but could be a good option if YOU KNOW you will stay on top of your finances: Use a private student loan from a well known lender (Wells Fargo, Discover, BOA, etc) or a credit card to fund classes. I would only do this if you concurrently get a job (maybe even just part time), only have a couple classes to take to get you back to 67% completion, AND will aggressively pay them down AS YOU GO.
Remember, whenever you hit that 67% completion rate, you will be eligible for financial aid again. This is not a death sentence for your education, but it will be a fight! "Hit it with a left, hit it with a right. . ." I won't continue that reference but 2x bonus points if you catch that one
TLDR: Per my experience with a similar situation, there is much more to the story than OP lets on and the parallel in sentiments is eerily familiar. Note that when you get back to at least 67% completion, you will be eligible for financial aid again. Depending on your complete history this may be easier than you think. Regardless of the specifics, OP there is a way to keep going. Don't obsess over the time and the difficulties ahead. Life will pass by anyway, so USE THE TIME to learn yourself, build yourself, and navigate your unique path to your ultimate dream. You most likely can't get back to the script right away, but the show will go on if you keep acting!
