Natosha Hubbard
Staff Writer
Spring 2012 has brought a few changes in the financial aid department at Jackson State University. More specifically, the requirements to receive a full Pell Grant have been revised and the new guides took effect this semester.
Pell Grants no longer pay for practicum classes, thesis classes or any class repeated by students.
These new guidelines were set in place by the government so I can’t blame JSU for the changes, but what I do have a problem with is the lack of communication between departments. The financial aid department was aware of the new criteria to receive a full Pell Grant, but those changes were not relayed to students and some academic departments such as mass communications.
This was a huge change for students receiving federal aid and we should have been notified through email, a memo from academic affairs to all departments or a headline on JSU’s website would have sufficed.
In previous years, to receive a full Pell Grant, a student needed to take a minimum of 12 hours so as a graduating senior that is exactly what I did. I took four classes and one of those was a practicum class which is no longer covered by federal aid.
I was under the impression that my tuition was paid in full until I checked my PAWS account and realized $693 had been deducted from my aid. I discovered this after the add/drop date for classes and I was told I would have to pay the school back if I did not pick up another class. I quickly took action and called my academic adviser.
Much to my surprise, my adviser had no prior knowledge of this change. How can professors accurately advise students on which classes to take if they are not aware of policy changes? If I had known about the new criteria I would have taken four classes in addition to my practicum class.
Luckily for me, I caught the problem before the second month of the semester and I was able to get into a class, but it was not a one day process.
I had to find a professor that would allow me to enter the class so late. I had to obtain a student adjustment form from my department and have it signed by the professor and the department chair.
The paperwork did not stop there. I had to take the form over to the Dean of Liberal Arts to have it signed. From there it was sent to Academic Affairs and last, but not least, it had to be processed in the Registrar’s Office. The course of action took about three days, but once my new class posted my financial aid was restored.
This was a huge hassle, but at least I caught the discrepancy in time. I wonder how many students are affected by this change and may not have taken the time to look into the problem.
I was not able to reach the financial aid advisers for comments on this matter.
The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
