2008 Woodie Awards
Students unfamiliar with aid limits
Federal aid good only for first bachelor's degree
Katie Goodell, Staff WriterAs junior Mark Tapia met with his academic adviser and registered for courses during Advising Week Nov. 5-9, he was unaware that if he does not schedule his remaining few semesters at Whitworth effectively, he could lose federal financial aid.
A double major in business and psychology, Tapia could potentially lose the federal aid he was awarded if he finishes one of his majors before his last semester at Whitworth.
"After students finish their first bachelor's degree, they are no longer eligible for some federal aid," director of financial aid Wendy Olson said.
She said students usually do not finish both majors until the last semester, but students could potentially risk the loss of federal aid.
According to the Federal Student Aid Web site, an educational institution "must decide at what point it considers the student to have completed the baccalaureate course of study when the student completes requirements for a degree, or when the student actually receives the degree."
At Whitworth, a student officially finishes a bachelor's degree after he or she completes all general education requirements and those for one major, Olson said.
"It makes sense," Tapia said. "But I think that until I get my diploma, I should continue to get help."
Tapia said he was frustrated his advisers never told him of this risk.
Certain types of aid, such as the Pell Grant, are limited in the fact that they only apply to the recipient's first bachelor's degree, Olson said.
These federal restrictions also apply to some scholarships, loans and work study programs.
Olson said Whitworth academic scholarships, such as the Mind & Heart and Presidential scholarships, are set up to cover eight semesters for full-time students, regardless of whether or not majors are completed.
These scholarships are offered to incoming freshmen based on SAT scores and high school GPA, according to the Whitworth Web Site.
Scholarships from outside organizations generally have their own limitations or guidelines and are not regulated by the federal government.
Registrar Bev Kleeman said she understands students could lose financial aid if they complete one of their majors more than a semester before graduation.
"When we work with a student who is double majoring, we usually advise them to try and complete both majors in the same semester," Kleeman said.
Sophomore Caitlin Risk is double majoring in cross-cultural studies and Spanish. She said she didn't know that finishing one major before her last semester could affect her negatively.
"I'll just make sure to save a [general education requirement] class for the last semester," Risk said.
Senior Sarah Bratton, a Spanish-music double major, was not aware that federal financial aid would be discontinued as soon as she completed her first major. While she does not anticipate finishing one major earlier than the other, she said she will be more cautious in scheduling.
"There are so many people who are double majoring," Tapia said. "They should make this known."
Contact Katie Goodell at katie.goodell@whitworthian.com.
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