Return To Title IV | Withdrawal From Courses
Financial aid funds are awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire semester funds are disbursed to the student. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of financial aid funds that the student was originally disbursed.
Below are informational scenarios that triggers a recalculation of the student's financial aid.
Important Note: Withdrawing or dropping courses can impact your financial aid eligibility.
Financial Aid Disbursed Then the Student Drop a Class
If you drop a class on or before census date and your enrollment status changes as a result, you may be required to repay part or all of the funds received.
For example, if you receive a full-time Federal Pell Grant payment (100% of the awarded amount) and you drop to 9 units by the start of the fifth week of the semester, your enrollment status changes from full-time to three-quarter time and you may have to repay 25% of the paid amount.
Your enrollment status is “frozen” on census date and you are expected to earn credit for all classes in which you were enrolled. Therefore, if you drop a class after that date, you may jeopardize your future financial aid for failure to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements. However, your enrollment status is not adjusted and you are not required to repay funds received.
Financial Aid Disbursed Part-Time Then the Student Add a Class
It is possible to receive several disbursements at the beginning of the semester if your enrollment status changes.
For example, if you are enrolled in 6 units when initial payment is made, you may receive only 50% of your Federal Pell Grant award. If you add a class for a total of 9 units, your eligibility will be recalculated for three-quarter time status and a supplemental payment will be prepared.
If you add another class for a total of 12 or more units, you will qualify for a full-time payment and another supplemental payment will be prepared. Payments occur at least twice a week; supplemental payments will be processed in the next disbursement cycle after you add a class.
If you add after your enrollment status is "frozen" -- which is at census date, financial aid may or may not be adjusted. Please come as a financial aid representative if this occurs to you.
Financial Aid Disbursed and the Student Completely Withdraws From All Courses
If you completely withdraw from the university or cease attending classes on or before the 60% point in the semester, and you received financial aid for the semester, we will determine how much of the financial aid you “earned” based on the number of days you attended classes.
You may be required to return part or all of the unearned portion of financial aid. Refer to the semester Class Schedule, Financial Aid information pages, for specific dates, deadlines and fee refund policies.
Student Business Services will perform a calculation to determine if part of your fees must be refunded. If a refund is made, it will first be applied toward your “unearned” financial aid. Any unearned aid will be returned to the program in the following order:
- Unsubsidized Direct Loans (other than Direct PLUS loans)
- Subsidized Direct Loans
- Direct PLUS Loans (parent or graduate)
- Federal Pell Grants, for which a return of Title IV funds is required
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, for which a return of Title IV funds is required
- FSEOG, for which a return of Title IV funds is required
- TEACH Grants, for which a return of Title IV funds is required
