closer to stafford loans?

[maladdy85]

Perhaps this is just my desire for American funding running away with me, but does Saba's recent MCAT mandate for applicants have anything to do with the school applying for federal funding? I know that impending Stafford loans have been an island legend for a while now, but is this recent change evidence that Saba is making progress in that direction?

[maladdy85]

nobody with any recent information or gossip huh? I've been trying to locate some sort of evidence through the department of education (or anywhere for that matter) of some progress in the direction of title IV.

[GADoctor]

That is the reason for the MCAT mandate from what I understand. The last info I have seen on the dep of edu site was from many months ago. There is not a single word since then. But I am sure they are working toward it.

[avatar4ever21]

i dont think they r working on it

[GADoctor]

Why is it some poster always comes along, joins and makes 20 posts in one day? Most of the time dragging up old threads.

On this topic though: Why would they not want to work toward it? I think my time-frame is off on them getting the loans anytime soon, most likely due to bureaucratic reasons with the US government. But why would Saba not be trying to work toward it, when in the end it does nothing but help them, extremely help them! Many of the US students struggle with paying tuition and living expenses, and several have had to leave or use davenport. This is why so many more Canadians come to Saba than US students.

Also, the MCAT requirement, from my understanding, was part of the process towards this goal. I know the admin has been promising this for a long time. So many students have said that they were told this years ago. I highly doubt it is from them not trying. Most likely it is from the other end.

[maladdy85]

Things that make me mad: the vet students at St. George are approved for title IV loans before the MEDICAL students at Saba. Thank you U.S. government, I'm sure the vets will make up for the 90,000 doctor deficit in 2020.

School of Veterinary Medicine Eligible to Award US Department of Education Loans

[maladdy85]

Resurrecting my own thread

I have heard mumblings on campus of Stafford having been approved for May 2012. Anyone want to add legitimate support/denial to this rumor? (I am so hoping this one is true.....)

[maladdy85]

Update on title IV:
From the mouth of the president today when he spoke to my class:

"My guess is federal loans will be available sometime in 2012, but I don't know for sure and cannot give you a timeline. I can tell you the application was submitted in October of 2011, which was the earliest possible date to do so."

I think this is much too vague to consider as a sure thing, so I definitely would not include federal loans in your Saba financial planning for a while yet. Make sure you can pay for the program without them, and don't assume the school will have them anytime soon.


And this is an email response from a gentleman who works for the department of education's foreign schools division regarding Saba's application:
"Dear Madam,

Thank you for contacting the U.S. Department of Education, Foreign Schools Team. I received your message regarding your request for a status update on Saba University School of Medicine’s eligibility.

Saba University School of Medicine’s application for initial certification has been assigned to an eligibility analyst for review. However, a review of the application has not yet been started due to the Foreign Schools Team’s workload. Once the workload of the eligibility analyst decreases, she will be able to review the application thoroughly and share with the school any concerns that she may have regarding its application.

On behalf of the Foreign Schools Team, I would like to thank you and the institution for its patience in awaiting an eligibility determination.

Kind regards,"

Draw your own conclusions.

[ChicagoMD86]

Any update on Title IV Stafford loan? Thanks.

[maladdy85]

I spoke with a woman in the dept of ed office that handles title IV, and apparently Saba's application is just now being reviewed by the analyst assigned to our application. This conversation took place last week. I asked if they had an estimated time frame for a decision and was told they have no idea. Everything is in the hands (and timeline) if the U.S. government now so who knows how long it will take to get a response. (though I do plan to check in with them again on my next break if no information on progress becomes available before then)