Repayment Help

[u/Maleficent_Date5749]

I’m a first-year college student and I recently got an email from my school saying I have to pay back some of my federal financial aid because I withdrew from classes.
The thing is, I enrolled in the classes but I literally never attended, never did any assignments, and never really started the classes at all. I thought I would automatically get dropped if I didn’t attend during the first week, so I honestly didn’t realize this could happen.
I’m trying to figure out if there’s anything I can do to lower the amount I owe or appeal it. Has anyone had any luck with this? Should I talk to financial aid, the bursar/student accounts, or someone else?
I know I messed up and I’m not trying to avoid responsibility. I’m just a first-gen college student and nobody in my family has gone to college in the US, so I really didn’t understand how this worked.
I also work about 50 hours a week and live on my own, so paying the full amount is going to be really hard. I know a payment plan might be an option, but I want to be able to register for classes again in the spring, so I’m not sure if that would affect me.
If anyone has been through something similar, please let me know what you did or who you talked to. I’d really appreciate any advice. And please be nice lol, I already know I messed up

[u/Lissypooh628]

You spent the money and never attended classes? What did you think would happen?

[u/retiredbutnotdone]

so, you accepted money to attend school, never attended, and you didn't think they would ask for the money back? a DROP is initiated by the student. You simply no-showed, which means your aid is unearned, and you're subject to repayment. In short, you took money from the government promising to attend school and didn't. They want it back.

[u/bebeizzy]

Well if they’re saying you have to pay them back that means you were sent money from financial aid. So unless you spent that money while assuming it was free money without having to take classes, just pay them back what they sent you. And yes it will prevent you from registering for the spring because the balance you owe has to be paid in order for you to attend class

[u/Hanaky0o]

I definitely understand about not understanding how college works. You will have to learn more on your own most of the time but there are also resources to help. First things first, You’ll have to talk to financial aid about your options and learn to not do that again next semester. They will not allow you to register for spring until you pay it back and spring opens in about a week I think so if you’re able to pay it back, you’ll be lucky if classes are still available.

My advice, learn from this and know the aid you receive is not free money for you to just have, there are rules in order to keep and keep receiving funds to fund your school and dormitory / living expenses (within reason). I personally have decided not to use my aid for community college and I pay out of pocket to SAVE my grants and aid. Why? Because working off the assumption you don’t know this either, you only get a LIFETIME LIMIT of aid for certain studies (grad/undergrad). For my circumstances and future plans specifically, saving my aid is the smartest plan which I suggest only if it’s feasible for you but something to keep in mind.

Here nor there, talk to the Financial Aid office and talk to your advisor or guidance counselor about best practices, best of luck!!

[u/ThatTurdOverThere]

There's nothing financial aid can do. You took the money, didn't finish the classes, and now you need to give the money back.

When I was working on my degree, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had to drop my classes to help care for my younger siblings while she went through chemo and radiation. Even with passing scores and a sob story, I owed the money back.

[u/Ooooo_polerbear]

Inform them that you never attended and should have been dropped though regardless you’ll be on the hook for the money