Rights and Responsibilities

As a recipient of financial aid, students have certain rights and responsibilities they should exercise. Knowing them will put you in a better position to make decisions about your educational goals and how to achieve them.

As a financial aid recipient, you have a right to:

Speak with a financial aid professional regarding counseling
Know what financial assistance is available to you, how to apply for aid and the deadlines for submitting an aid application
Have your eligibility for financial aid be determined in an equitable manner consistent with federal regulations and university policies
Be considered for all federal, state, and institutional aid programs for which you qualify as long as funds are available
Understand how your financial aid eligibility was determined
Notification of your financial aid offer and any adjustments
Request a review of your financial aid offer if your financial situation has changed since filing the current aid year financial aid application
Understand the school's disbursement and refund policy as well as the Federal Return of Title IV funds policy
Know the criteria for continued financial aid eligibility, including the criteria for maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as well as how to reestablish eligibility after failing SAP.
Understand the terms, conditions and requirements of any loan you are offered or accept. Access to sample loan repayment schedules
Have access to information about your student loan debt burden
Understand the job description, rate and conditions of employment at a Federal Work Study Position.
Expect that your financial records, your parents’ financial records, and your financial aid offer information be kept confidential in accordance with the Federal Education Right to Privacy Act.

Responsibilities:

As a financial aid recipient, you are responsible for:

Providing complete and accurate information on which we base your eligibility for aid. Misreporting information on financial aid application forms is a violation of law and may be considered a criminal offense
Completing and submitting all document requirements in a timely manner, and by the posted deadlines
Reading and understanding all forms that you are asked to sign, and maintain copies for your records
Using the aid offered for educationally related expenses as defined in the estimated student cost of attendance
Completing entrance counseling before you receive your first loan disbursement
Reporting additional sources of financial assistance such as scholarships, stipends, and tuition waivers
Maintaining the same enrollment level throughout the semester and notifying the Financial Aid Office if your enrollment changes mid semester.
Notifying the financial aid office if you withdraw from school.
Reporting any change in your status, including informing the university and your loan servicer of changes in your name, address, social security number, and graduation date. Changes to enrollment level, living arrangements, etc.
Completing exit counseling about loan repayment when you graduate or leave the university
Repaying any loan you receive
Reporting any portion of grants and scholarships that exceed tuition, fees, books, and supplies as taxable income when filing your tax return
Being aware of and complying with the deadlines for reapplication of aid each academic year