u/Life-Koala-6015

I am taking 4 courses online this summer as I am trying to finish my degree in spring 2027.

Due to financial aid not being able to he processed, I have been on a payment plan to be able to take these courses. I spent a $550 down-payment in May, the last of my savings. $1500 was due on June 15th, and I was unable to pay for that, mostly due to my vehicle breaking down which ate up that possible payment.

I called in to see my options, and was told that if I do not make the full $1500 payment, I would potentially be dropped from my last two courses! We are almost halfway through and the drop/add refund period is over.

They said there is a chance I wouldn't be dropped? Additionally my balance would be sent to collections and I would be unable to sign up for more courses until that is paid off.

Meanwhile financial aid is supposed to cover everything as I made virtually no money in my last 3 years of school.

There isn't an option to put everything on hold, or make are partial payment. Why is UMGC being this inflexible, given the massive hiccup of financial aid being delayed months? How can I possibly make this work when I am taking 12 credits -- not being able to find enough side hustle work to make that kind of money?

The frustration of months, almost a year at this point of having problem after problem -- only to be met with "it will take some time to fix" -- just to wait weeks or months for incompetence to play out....

It pains me to pay out of pocket for classes because they can't figure out financial aid. It feels like UMGC doesn't care and their archaic system needs to be addressed. It took me over 6 months just to transfer into this college after completing my associates!

I dont expect things to get better, my only advice is to take 30mins-1 hour a day and call in to check progress. Every. Single. Day. Or else you'll fall in limbo and be forgotten (after they take your money off course).

It doesn't help my first instructor is barely able to use a computer (in an online class), and slowly crawls through the simplest concepts.

I suppose I just have to submit to their will. Just grin and bear it for 40 more credits. Try not to lose the spark along the way lmao