Student Rights and Responsibilities

Student Responsibilities

• All application forms must be submitted with the correct information and on time.
• Misrepresenting information on a financial aid application is in violation of the law and is considered a criminal offense which could result in an indictment under the U.S. Criminal Code.
• Any additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information must be returned to the specific office or agency from which it came in an effort to facilitate the award process.
• You must accept responsibility for ALL agreements you sign. Therefore, it is a good idea to read all documentation before signing. Following this, retain one (1) copy for your personal records.
• If the student is involved in a work-study program, then that student must perform the work that is agreed to prior to the start of the program.

Student Rights

• You have a right to know what aid programs are available to you.
• You have the right to know the application and reapplication dates of all financial aid programs.
• You have the right to know how aid distribution is handled, how aid decisions are made, and the basis for these decisions. Additionally, you have the right to know the resources considered in your aid calculations.
• You have the right to know how your financial aid allotment was determined. Included in these determinations are costs of tuition, fees, room and board, travel, books, supplies, and miscellaneous expenses.
• You have the right to know how much of your determined need was met, and to an explanation of all of the aid programs in your packet.
• You have the right to know the school's refund policy.
• You have the right to know what portion of the financial aid received must be repaid and what portion is grant aid.
• If the aid is a loan, then you have the right to know the interest rate, the amount to be repaid, the payback procedures, the repay time period, and when the repay period begins.

You Should Know:

If you are a recipient of one or more of the following: Federal Financial Aid (loans, grants or work study), Veterans benefits or funding from the Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, you should know the following:

If you change your academic status (withdraw or unofficially withdraw - fail to attend classes), or drop below half-time status your change in academic status will alter your eligibility for financial aid and cause the following change(s) to occur in funds you have received or are scheduled to receive:

1. If you were refunded money based upon your original enrollment status, then reduce the number of enrolled classes, there will be a change in the amount of refund you are eligible to receive. You could receive a bill from the University in order to account for the excess funds which were refunded to you. See Financial Aid Policies
    
2. If you received funds from the Veteran Administration Agency or the Vocational Rehabilitation Agency based upon at least one-half time enrollment (6 credits), then you unofficially withdrew from a course or courses causing your academic enrollment status to change, you may be required to return funds you received to the funding agency due to this change in academic enrollment status.

Equity in Athletics Information

Information regarding athletic participation, financial support, and equity in athletics is available to all students. You may contact the Admissions Office, the Athletic Department, or the Financial Aid Office for information.