Financial Aid Rights & Responsibilities
The receipt of federal student financial aid comes with both rights and responsibilities. It is important to understand both of these.
Students Have the Right to Obtain From the School
- The names of its accrediting and licensing organizations.
- Information about the College’s programs; its instructional, laboratory and other physical facilities and its faculty.
- The cost of attending.
- The College’s policy and the Financial Aid Office’s policy on refunds to students who withdraw or are dropped.
- The types of financial assistance available, including information on all federal, state, local, private and institutional financial aid programs.
- The procedures and deadlines for submitting applications for each available financial aid program.
- The criteria used to select financial aid recipients.
- Process used to determine student financial need. This process includes how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, travel, books and supplies and personal and miscellaneous expenses are considered in the cost of education. It also includes how resources (such as parental contribution, other financial aid, assets, etc.) are considered in calculating student need.
- Amount of student financial need, as determined by the institution that has been met. (Each eligible aid applicant is provided an individual Award Letter through the web portal).
- The type and amount of assistance in a student financial aid package and an explanation of each award. (Each eligible aid applicant is provided and individual Award Letter through the web portal).
- The portion of the financial aid award that consists of loans that must be re-paid, and what portion is grant aid that does not need to be repaid. (Each eligible aid applicant is provided an individual Award Letter through the web portal).
- Interest rate on any loan, the total amount for repayment, the length of time for repayment, the date to start repayment and cancellation or deferment provisions that apply. (Each loan applicant is provided significant, detailed information prior to completing a promissory note) Detailed information regarding Federal Student and parent loans is available through our Federal Student Financial Aid Programs page.
- How to obtain a reconsideration of an aid package, if they believe that a mistake has been made or if enrollment status or the student’s financial circumstances have changed. (Students may request such reconsideration at any time by discussing the issue with the Student Financial Services Office).
- The policy/process used by the College to determine whether students are making satisfactory academic progress and what happens if students are not.
- Any special facilities and services available to persons with disabilities.
Student Responsibilities
- Review and consider all information about the school’s program before enrolling.
- Pay special attention to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), complete it accurately and submit it on time at the correct website. Errors can delay or prevent students from receiving aid.
- Meet all deadlines for applying or reapplying for aid.
- Provide any and all additional documentation, verification, corrections and/or new information requested by the Student Financial Services Aid Office, including tax returns and other personal and financial documents.
- Read, understand, and keep copies of all forms that they are asked to sign.
- Comply with the provisions of any promissory note and all other agreements that they must sign.
- Promptly notify the College of any change in name, address or attendance status (half time, three-quarter time or full time).
- Understand the College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
- Understand the College’s refund policy and the Financial Aid Office’s Return to Title IV Refund policy.
- Attend and participate in an “Entrance Interview” before borrowing federal student loans.
- Attend and participate in an “Exit Interview” prior to graduation or upon withdrawal from the College, if you have borrowed federal loans.
- Honor all copyrights and refrain from unauthorized duplication of copyrighted material.
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