Separation from the University
Students who are considering separating from the University—whether temporarily or permanently—should review the following resources to understand University policies, procedures, and the impact on financial aid and academic status:
Key Resources
Learn about your options, the impact, and requirements to Return to Study.
Review the University Separation policy and procedures. Additional details are available in the Bulletin of Information.
- Office of Student Accounts
Understand the Academic Year Separation Policy, including the calculation on charges and the financial impact.
- Office of Financial Aid
Review requirements to Return to Study and Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Treatment of Financial Aid When a Student Separates
When a student separates or stops attending classes, they are considered to have unearned financial aid. Federal regulations require the University to calculate the amount of aid the student is eligible to retain to cover University costs.
For more details, visit the Academic Year Separation Policy. Note that additional requirements may apply for state aid, University scholarships, and private scholarships. Please contact the appropriate agency or organization to understand the impact on specific funds.
Federal Regulation Summary
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Before Classes Begin
If a student withdraws, stops attending, or is dismissed before the first day of classes, the University must return all unearned financial aid to the respective funding programs. -
After Classes Begin
If separation occurs after the start of the term, the University calculates the amount of federal aid earned based on the separation date. -
Returning Unearned Aid
If the earned aid is less than the disbursed aid, the difference must be returned to the federal programs. Earned aid is based on the percentage of the semester the student was enrolled. -
Post-Separation Disbursements
In some cases, students or parents may be eligible for aid that was earned but not yet disbursed. The University will notify the student (or parent for PLUS loans) within 30 days of the separation determination. The student/parent must respond within 14 days to accept or decline the funds. Accepted funds will be disbursed within 180 days of the separation determination.
Order of Unearned Federal Aid to be Returned
Federal regulations require that unearned aid be returned to the federal government in the following order:
- Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loan
- Subsidized Federal Direct Student Loan
- Federal Direct PLUS Loan (parent or graduate)
- Federal Pell Grant
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- Other Federal Aid Assistance
Note: This policy is mandated by federal regulations and is subject to change based on updates to those regulations.