Hit FAFSA aggregate loan limit at $49k before bachelor's degree - how to fund RHIA program?

You're not alone in this situation - unfortunately it's super common with all the career changes people make! Have you talked to your school's financial aid office specifically about Professional Judgment? Sometimes they can make exceptions to the loan limits based on your specific circumstances, especially if you've changed majors and are now in a high-demand healthcare field. Also look into private loans - SoFi, Discover, and Sallie Mae all offer student loans that aren't connected to your FAFSA limits. The interest rates will be higher though, so be careful!

This is EXACTLY why the FAFSA system is broken!!! They put these arbitrary limits on education funding while tuition keeps rising, and then wonder why people can't finish degrees. I hit my limit too and ended up taking a 2 year break to work and save before finishing my program. It SUCKED but I couldn't take on the private loan interest rates. The whole system is designed to keep people stuck in debt cycles or unable to advance. Have you checked if your employer might offer any tuition assistance programs? Even some retail and fast food places do now.

Hey, I was in almost your exact situation with my nursing program! What ultimately worked for me was finding an employer with tuition reimbursement benefits. Many hospitals and healthcare organizations will pay for part or all of RHIA programs because they're in high demand. Would it be possible to work with your RHIT for a year or two while saving and getting an employer to help with the bachelor's? It's not ideal timing-wise, but it might be the most financially sound approach. The other thing to look into is school-specific scholarships for your RHIA program - some of them have funds specifically for RHIT-to-RHIA pathway students.

have u checked if ur eligible for a pell grant? those dont count toward ur loan limits and u dont have to pay them back. also some states have special grants for healthcare students

Wait hold on - are you saying you'll have your associates in Health Information Technology (RHIT) but want to continue for the Health Information Administration (RHIA) bachelor's? If so, you might qualify for one of the AHIMA Foundation scholarships! They offer several specifically for students in HIM programs, and since you're going for a credential they really value, you'd have a decent shot. The application deadline is usually in September for the following year. Also - many RHIA programs are designed as degree completion programs that build on your RHIT, so they might be fewer credits (and therefore less expensive) than you think.

If u need to contact the Federal Student Aid office to discuss options for exceeding ur limit, use Claimyr.com to get thru to an agent without waiting for hours. I had to call about my own limit issue last month and used their service - got connected in 10 mins when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. The FSA agents can sometimes give you options that aren't obvious on the website.

Another thing to consider is whether you can find a more affordable RHIA program. Western Governors University offers a Bachelor's in Health Information Management that's competency-based and charges by 6-month term rather than by credit. If you can accelerate through courses, you could potentially save thousands. My cousin finished their entire bachelor's there for under $15k because they flew through it. Might be worth looking into as a more affordable option that wouldn't require as much borrowing.

You need to understand there are different types of aggregate limits. The $57,500 limit is for independent undergraduates. Dependent undergrads have a lower limit ($31,000). But there's also the annual limit that varies by year in school. Make sure you know exactly where you stand by logging into studentaid.gov and checking your aid usage. It's possible you still have some subsidized loan eligibility left even if you're close to the overall limit. The financial aid office at your RHIA program can help calculate exactly how much federal aid you still qualify for.

Have you considered a Parent PLUS loan? If your parents have decent credit, they could take one out to help with your bachelor's program. I know it's not ideal to involve family, but sometimes it's an option when you're at the limit. The interest rates aren't great, but they're usually better than private loans. My mom did this for my last year of school when I hit my limits.

One last thing to consider - some employers will hire you with the RHIT and then promote you once you earn the RHIA. If you can find an employer like that, you might be able to work in your field while taking just 1-2 classes at a time, paying as you go. It would take longer to finish the bachelor's, but would solve the immediate funding crisis. Look specifically for healthcare systems with career ladder programs for HIM professionals.

Don't give up hope! I was in a similar situation with my nursing degree and found a few options that really helped. First, check if your state has any loan forgiveness programs for healthcare workers - many states offer partial loan forgiveness if you work in underserved areas or certain healthcare facilities after graduation. Second, look into income-driven repayment plans for your existing loans to free up more cash flow for paying out-of-pocket. And third, consider reaching out to AHIMA chapters in your area - they sometimes know about local scholarships or grants that aren't widely advertised. The healthcare field really needs skilled HIM professionals, so there are often resources available that aren't immediately obvious. Keep pushing forward - the RHIA will definitely be worth it for your career!