Important Update for Pre-Allied Health Students
Pre-Allied Health Programs & Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
The information provided below will allow students who are either in or considering a Pre-Allied Health Program at OTC, to know:
- What Federal Student Aid program is available
- What and when information sessions are available
- How to change a program of study, if desired
- Spring 2012 awards will pay as scheduled
Changes to Federal Student Aid Eligibility
Due to new Federal Student Aid regulations, non-degree/certificate programs such as Pre-Allied Health will no longer be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. In other words, the ability to receive Federal Student Aid is changing for Pre-Allied Health students. While working on the pre-admission requirements (i.e. Anatomy and Physiology, Composition I. . .) for an Allied Health program, students will be considered non-degree/certificate seeking.
Therefore, students pursuing a Pre-Allied Health program are subject to the same annual loan as a student who has not completed the first year of an undergraduate program, regardless of how many years of undergraduate study the student has completed. That is, the 'base' annual loan limit for Direct Subsidized and Direct Unsubsidized Loans combined is $2,625. Independent students are eligible to borrow up to an additional $6,000 in additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds. This eligibility is only for one 12 month period after which the student does not have any additional loan eligibility.
To avoid disruption in your financial aid, you may wish to change your program of study to a degree that would still allow you to pursue the prerequisites for an allied health program. For instance, changing to the Associates of Arts Degree would allow up to 19 hours of general electives which would provide the flexibility to choose from any college credit course.
Change Program of Study
If you are interested in changing your program of study, but don't know what is available, you may view All Degrees and Certificate Programs offered at OTC.
If you need to change your program of study at OTC, you may do so by completing the Change of Program Form which is available online. Following Submission of your Change of Program form to Student Services, please allow 5 business days for the program change to be entered into your records.
You can confirm that your Change of Program Form has been processed and updated in your records by simply checking your E-Advisor through Access OTC in your MyOTC account.
- Click on E-Advisor in the upper right corner of AccessOTC.
- Click the Create/ Add to Worksheet link and verify the correct program on the Program Confirmation screen. If the program shown is correct, your program has been updated. If not, your Change of Program form has not been processed and we suggest you contact us via email studentservices@otc.edu in order to follow up on your program change request.
Pre-Allied Health Students & Financial Aid Probation/Appeal
Pre-Allied Health Students who are financial aid recipients and have an approved academic plan through their financial aid appeal due to Financial Aid Probation will be allowed to change their program of study during the spring 2012 semester and not be subject to loss of aid due changing their program of study.
However, following the change in your program of study, in order to continue forward with your approval, you must also complete a new academic plan through E-Advisor for your new program of study.
Require Assistance?
If you require assistance with questions or deciding what program is right for you, we are here to help.
In order to assist you, please select from one of the topics below which best applies to you.
Topic 1 - Financial Aid
I have a general question regarding financial aid eligibility and/or the effect of changing my degree.
- If your question is not addressed in the FAQs at the bottom of this page, you may stop by Student Services to speak with someone on a walk- in basis , email us from your OTC email account to financialaid@otc.edu or call us at 417.447.6900.
Topic 2 - Academic Advising
I have a question about how my coursework will apply to a new program of study or how to create a new education plan in E-Advisor.
- You may stop by Student Services to speak with someone on a walk-in basis, email advising@otc.edu or call 417.447.6907.
Topic 3 - Career Counseling
I am unable to decide what career path to take and need assistance deciding what program of study to pursue at OTC.
- Please contact our Counseling Services staff for a career counseling consultation or to schedule an appointment to meet with a Career Counselor. You may reach the Counseling Services staff by calling 417-447-6974 or emailing them at counseling@otc.edu.
Topic 4 - None of the above applies to me.
- You may contact us at any OTC campus for assistance, email us at financialaid@otc.edu or call us at 417.447.6900 for assistance.
FAQs - Pre-Allied Health Students re: financial aid
Is there a deadline for students to change their program of study from Pre-Allied Health to another program of study or just students on an approved financial aid appeal?
We recommend students change as soon as they have a new program of study decided upon. If you do not change your program of study, you will be eligible only for up to $2,625 in the Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loan. This applies to all students, including those with an approved financial aid appeal.
Will I still be allowed to take the required prerequisite classes for Allied Health even if I complete E- Advisor for my new program?
This question is of significance to students who are on financial aid probation and are now attending with an approved financial aid appeal and academic plan on file with E-Advisor. The AA Transfer degree requires 19 hours of general elective credit, in addition to specific courses (e.g., ENG 101, COM 105). Prerequisite courses for an Allied Health program can be applied as general elective credit for the AA Transfer degree. For more information, please contact Academic Advising.
If I change my program to an AA.TRD (Associate of Arts Transfer) do I have to complete the program before I apply to Allied Health?
A student is under no obligation to complete the AA Transfer Degree in order to apply for admission to an Allied Health Program at OTC.
My financial aid appeal has been approved and I have been instructed not to change my program. Will I be allowed to change my program?
If you are on Financial Aid Probation with an approved appeal and academic plan, you are allowed to update your program from Pre-Allied Health to an eligible certificate or degree program at OTC. However, since you are changing to a new program of study, you must complete a revised E-Advisor academic plan for your new degree program. This information will allow the college to properly update your academic plan and monitor your progress. Failure to update your E-Advisor academic plan with your new program of study will cause you to lose aid eligibility.
Do I have a deadline to decide?
Students who desire to update their program of study must do so during the Spring 2012 semester in order to avoid reduced eligibility for Federal Student Aid.
What if I am not accepted into my program and I am still in a PAH program?
If you remain in a Pre-Allied Health Program, your Federal Student Aid will be limited to $2,625 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loan.
Will I be able to change my program at that time and still get financial aid for future?
As long as you meet eligibility requirements for Federal Student Aid when your program of study is changed.
I will be applying to the Allied Health program during Spring 2012, will the new changes affect me?
If you apply to and are accepted into an Allied Health Program, you will be eligible for aid under the new program. If you are not accepted into an Allied Health Program, your eligibility will be limited to $2,625 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loan.
If I change my program now, can I still apply to the Allied Health program of study of my choice?
If you update your program of study from Pre-Allied Health to another program of study, you are welcome to pursue the process of applying for Allied Health Programs at OTC. Students who are on Financial Aid Probation with an approved appeal and academic plan are subject to restrictions of their academic plan and should speak to a Financial Aid Advisor at the time they are prepared to submit an application for the Allied Health Programs at OTC.