WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES?
As a consumer of a commodity (financial aid for higher education), you have certain rights to which you are entitled, and certain obligations for which you are responsible.
You have the right to know:
- Types of financial assistance available – including information on federal, state and institutional financial aid programs.
- Deadlines for submitting applications for financial aid programs available.
- Cost of attending the University and the University’s refund and repayment policies should you withdrawal.
- Criteria used by the University to select financial aid recipients.
- How the University calculates your financial need
- The resources (such as other financial aid, assets, etc.) that are considered in the calculation of your need.
- How much of your financial need, as determined by the University, has been met.
- Policy governing inclusion or exclusion of programs comprising your financial aid package. If you believe you have been treated unfairly, you may request reconsideration of the award that was made to you.
- Portion of the financial aid you receive considered loan aid and what portion is gift aid. If the aid is a loan, you have the right to know what the interest rate is, the total amount that must be repaid, the repayment procedures, the length of time you have to repay the loan, and when repayment is to begin.
- How the University determines whether you are making satisfactory academic progress and what happens if you are not.
CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES OF AID RECIPIENTS
It is your responsibility to:
- Review and consider all information about the University before you enroll.
- Complete all application forms accurately and submit on time to the right place.
- Pay special attention to and accurately complete your financial aid application. Errors can result in long delays in your receiving financial aid. False or misleading information on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of law and is considered a criminal offense, subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code.
- Return all additional documentation, verification, corrections and/or new information requested by the Financial Aid Office.
- Read all forms you are asked to sign and keep copies of them.
- Accept responsibility for all agreements you sign.
- Notify the Financial Aid Office of changes in your name, address, or enrollment status. (This also applies to loan recipients after they leave the University.)
- Perform the work agreed upon in accepting a Federal Work Study award.
- Know and comply with the deadlines for application or reapplication for aid.
- Know and comply with the University refund and repayment procedures.
- Notify the Financial Aid Office in advance when your course load at the University may be less than full-time. Failure to do so will cause a delay in the receipt of your funds and/or create overawards which must be repaid.
- Notify the Financial Aid Office of any changes in your financial status. Failure to do so can result in the termination of financial assistance.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the College of Law. Withdrawal from the University or never attending classes will result in termination of financial aid and may result in partial or full repayment of aid disbursed for the semester involved.