Rights & Responsibilities of Financial Aid Recipients

Rights:

• Students have the right to seek financial aid counseling.
• Students have the right to know their financial aid award is based on calculated financial need. Financial need is determined by a federal formula established by the U.S. Congress and the Financial Aid Office. Need is defined as the difference between the cost of attending school and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
• Students have the right to know terms of federal, state and institutional financial aid programs.
• Students have the right to accept, decline, reduce or seek adjustments to their financial aid and be considered in an equitable and consistent manner.
• Students have the right to know their amount of aid and when it will be disbursed.
• Students who have been declared ineligible because of unsatisfactory academic progress have the right to know how eligibility can be restored.
• Students may request an appeal of any decision concerning their financial aid award.
• Students have rights under FERPA.
• Students have the right to access their financial aid data.
• Students have the right to know about retention and completion data.
• Students have the right to know about special facilities and services available for physical, mental or cognitive disabilities.
• Students have the right to know about campus security statistics and crime prevention programs.
• Students have the right to know about accreditation status.
• Students have the right to know about financial aid policies surrounding Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements and Academic Progress Requirements.
• Students have the right to know about cost of attendance, refunds, return of Title IV funds and the withdrawal policy.

Responsibilities:

• Students must be accepted and enrolled in a degree or certificate program.
• Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the priority deadline date annually to receive federal, state and institutional funds.
• Students must be enrolled for all courses by the Essential Deadlines each term.
• Students must notify the Financial Aid Office of any change in information submitted such as:
  • withdrawal from school;
  • change of enrollment;
  • change in name;
  • financial information;
  • defaulting on and/or owing a refund of Title IV funds to any institutions.
• Students must comply with Satisfactory Academic Progress and Academic Progress Requirements.
• Students financial aid is intended for educational expenses.
• Students must understand that partial or full withdrawal will result in repayment of federal, state and/or institutional funds. Any aid refunds not repaid will cause the loss of further eligibility.
• Students must complete required entrance and exit interviews and repay all loans according to the terms of their promissory note and truth-in-lending statement forms. (A hold will be placed on their records if failure to comply).
• Students must abide by University Policies and Student Conduct Code.
• Students must attend classes and complete course requirements to remain eligible for financial aid.