Repayment of Unearned Aid

Unearned Aid

If a student withdraws prior to the 60% point of a payment or enrollment period, the amount of assistance of unearned aid as calculated must be returned.

Unearned Aid Repayment Policy

Canceled Classes or non-attendance

Title IV aid will be adjusted for canceled classes or classes not attended.

100% of funds received for a canceled class or a class never attended must be repaid to the fund(s) from which it came.

For example:

A Federal Pell Grant recipient enrolls in 12 credit hours and receives a $2000 award.

Then a 3-hour class is canceled inadvertently dropping the student to 9 credit hours.

This automatically reduces the initial award of $2000 to $1500.

The Federal Pell Grant program must be fully refunded/repaid the $500 difference between the two awards.

Note: A student may replace canceled classes by adding other classes during the registration period as defined in the Timetable of Classes for a specified term.

Official and Unofficial Withdrawals

Recipients who officially or unofficially withdraw prior to the 60% point of a payment period or period of enrollment are subject to the Return of Title IV calculation.

Considered Factors in the Return of Title IV Calculation:

  • Amount of Title IV Assistance Received or Eligible to Receive
  • Institutional Charges
  • Number of Days in the Payment Period
  • Withdrawal Date

Withdrawal Date is determined by:

  • The date the student began the official withdrawal process or provides official notification to the school of his or her intent to withdraw.
  • The midpoint, or last date of attendance of an academically related activity past the midpoint, for a student who ceases attendance without providing official notification or unofficial withdrawal.

This calculation is completed using a federally mandated formula provided by the Department of Education which is used to determine any unearned portion of Title IV assistance.

Amount of Unearned Assistance is determined by:

  • Subtracting the percentage earned (number of days attended divided by the number of days in the period) from 100%.

Obligation to Return Unearned Assistance

WSCC is obligated to return these funds, including those that may have been previously been applied to the student account for institutional charges.

Students must repay Walters State for any funds returned to the Department of Education on their behalf.

All recipients who owe a repayment are immediately placed on WSCC hold system. This stops all future transactions at WSCC until the student repays their obligation or makes satisfactory payment arrangements.

Students are also obligated to return unearned funds beyond the institutional portion to the Department of Education.

Failure to make satisfactory payment arrangements on any student portion of unearned funds will result in this amount being turned over to the Department of Education for collection. Students that fail to contact the Department of Education (1-800-621-3115) to repay their obligation or make satisfactory repayment arrangements will become ineligible to receive Title IV assistance at any eligible higher educational institution.

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