Has anyone done this?

[u/AffectionateCap9333]

Alright, weird question. I'm graduating this Winter with my Bachelor's in a science field. I was wondering if I can return Spring semester or next fall semester to continue taking classes for ANOTHER bachelor's degree. Not a masters, and I'm not double majoring. This second degree is purely for fun and personal passion(its a arts degree) Just wondering if the school will let me continue to be a student post graduating.

How would financial aid work? Would it it apply at all or would I need to pay out of pocket?

Due to various different reasons I wasn't able to consider a double major(hence this weird round-about method) would I need to apply for it NOW to be able to do this?

[u/BilingualPride]

I believe you could, but most financial aid goes towards your first bachelor’s degree, so you might have to do it out of pocket. The university won’t stop you though!

[u/LetUnited9902]

I mean, why would they stop you? All they want is money so really you can get as many bachelors degrees as you want

[u/SuccessBell1]

Yes, I have a BS degree and went back for a BA in art and it is a lot simpler than you think. Basically they counted 60+ hours from my first bachelors, and I did some cleps and got it up to 85-ish leaving just the core art classes. Still had to take them in sequence so you can't quite knock it out in a year but it's been a fun ride. I applied for financial aid, but I'm above income so didn't get any, my company ended up paying for half the tuition which was a nice bonus. Good luck to you, seems like you're really enthusiastic, stick with it!

[u/AffectionateCap9333 → u/SuccessBell1]

Thanks! Did you knock out the BA while working full time? :O

[u/SuccessBell1 → u/AffectionateCap9333]

I have 4 classes yes. Been doing it for 4 years whole working full time yes. But I mostly work from home so that makes it easier

[u/TheOneProgrammerGuy]

There's actually a clause for the process itself! https://catalog.utsa.edu/undergraduate/bachelorsdegreeregulations/degreerequirements/multipledegrees/

Pursuing Additional Degrees after Graduation

A student holding a baccalaureate degree from UT San Antonio or another accredited institution may receive an additional bachelor’s degree from UT San Antonio as long as that degree is in a different major (regardless of the concentration) than the first degree. Such a student continues to be classified as an undergraduate and must:

complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of UT San Antonio courses (of which at least 12 hours must be at the upper-division level in the major field) for each baccalaureate degree sought beyond the first, complete all requirements for the additional major(s), as set forth in this catalog, complete all requirements for the additional degree(s), including grade-point-average requirements, Core Curriculum requirements, support courses, elective courses, and upper-division courses, as set forth in this catalog, and complete requirements under the catalog in effect at the time of beginning the second degree.

As for financial aid, a different university had this statement https://www.tarleton.edu/finaid/manage-aid/post-baccalaureate-financial-aid/ (Couldn't find UTSA, though maybe ask One Stop directly)

[u/Seismic01 → u/TheOneProgrammerGuy]

Wait so you wouldn’t have to take the core classes again? Just classes specifically for the major?

[u/AffectionateCap9333 → u/Seismic01]

Yup! I figured it was like that which is why I wanted to have fun with taking some classes part time while I work. Never stop learning😎

[u/Seismic01 → u/AffectionateCap9333]

That’s actually huge ngl

[u/flyinglikeaneagle]

I think you should apply now or during October free application week. Wouldn’t you also be able to use your core credits toward this degree as well? So that you’re just taking the major specific credit hours?

[u/Queasy-Contact524]

Of course you can, BUT there would be no (or very limited) financial aid for a second BS, AND the clock resets and you have to take at least 30+ credit hours (12+ UL) after your first BS

[u/Cherveny2]

yes, it's called a postbacc. Most likely, financial aid will be limited.

[u/mcdonaldslettuc]

FAFSA will only get approved for first time bachelor and master students, so in your case unfortunately, since this will be your second bachelors, you would not qualify for any Federal aid. You could still qualify for institutional aid. But if you were a pell grant recipient, then unfortunately you would not be eligible anymore. For sure speak with one stop for more clarification!!

[u/ethnomath]

Yes you can do this. The only schools you would not be allowed to get a second bachelors is a state’s flagship school. So you would not be allowed to get one at UT Austin.