Can I Switch Schools When I Was Already Approved for FAFSA and My First Semester Already Started?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a critical document for applying for need-based financial aid, not the financial aid itself. FAFSA approval is crucial for securing the aid, but it does not guarantee continued eligibility if a student changes schools mid-semester. Here's what you need to know about switching schools after FAFSA approval and what your options are.

Switching Schools During the Semester

Unlike high school, you cannot switch schools in the middle of a semester. There are only two primary options:

Finish the current semester and then transfer: This is a viable option if you are certain that you want to leave your current school. After the first semester ends, you can apply to a new school for the next academic year. Withdraw from all classes: If you decide to withdraw, this could result in failing all classes for the current semester, depending on when you do it. Withdrawing late in the semester could impact your academic progress and financial aid eligibility.

Either way, it is crucial to understand the process of transferring schools, which includes submitting transfer applications, getting a new school accepted, and enrolling. This can take weeks of preparation and commitment.

Impact on Academic Progress and Financial Aid

When receiving student financial aid, you are expected to make 'academic progress.' As a freshman, you have two semesters to earn the required hours to maintain your candidacy for sophomore status. Leaving after the semester starts means you lose that semester and the related financial aid.

Moreover, transferring mid-semester is not an option. The process of transferring, including submitting applications to the new school, undergoing a rigorous review, and getting enrolled, is not an overnight process. It takes weeks of time and effort.

Options for Addressing the Situation:

Complete the year: Stay at your current school and finish the academic year. This will ensure you have the necessary credits for academic progress. Complete the semester and then transfer: If you make it to January and still decide to switch schools, you can start the transfer process. However, many universities only accept transfers for the fall semester. Take a semester off and restart in the fall: If you cannot transfer mid-year, you could take the semester off and restart in the fall, ensuring you have a fresh start and the opportunity to transfer schools. Drop out: As a last resort, you could drop out, but this would result in the loss of credits earned during your time at the current school.

It is important for many first-semester college students to keep in mind that the idea of switching schools mid-semester is not always straightforward. Often, deciding to continue at a school is influenced by personal experiences and a growing comfort with the school's community. By the fall, many students find themselves enjoying the school much more than they initially thought.

FAQs:

Can I switch schools after being approved for FAFSA? Yes, you can, but your FAFSA approval may no longer apply, and you must follow the transfer process. What happens if I switch schools mid-semester? Your current semester's financial aid may be canceled, and you may lose credits earned, depending on when you withdraw or the approved transfer process takes place. Is it possible to switch schools during the fall semester? While it is possible, many universities only accept transfer applications for the fall semester.