Withdrawal from Frostburg

All students who withdraw or are dismissed from the university (including unofficial withdrawals) and attend less than 60% of the enrollment period (semester), will have their Title IV federal financial aid prorated based on the actual days of attendance. Before a student considers withdrawal, he/she should meet with a financial aid counselor to determine the financial impact on his/her federal financial aid.

Under this policy, the Financial Aid Office will determine the percentage of Title IV aid earned based on the length of enrollment. Once determined, the student may be responsible for charges that were once covered by Title IV aid. In some cases, a student may have to repay a portion or all of his/her refund as a result of withdrawing before 60% of the enrollment period elapses.

After the unearned portion of financial aid has been established, the funds will be returned to the federal programs in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Direct Loans
2. Subsidized Direct Loans
3. Federal Perkins Loans
4. Federal PLUS Loans
5. Federal Pell Grants
6. Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
7. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

Title IV funds will be returned as soon as possible, but no later than 45 days after determining the corresponding student has withdrawn.  In cases where a student is receiving institutional funds, he/she should check with the Financial Aid Office for policies concerning these awards.

When a student receives institutional aid benefits (Merit, Comprehensive, Need-based, Athletic, etc.), that aid will be prorated to mirror the corresponding term's approved tuition refund schedule.  For example, if a student's withdrawal warrants an 80% tuition refund, the student's institutional aid will be correspondingly reduced by 80%.  Students who are dismissed by the university for disciplinary reasons are not entitled to retain institutional awards.   

Withdrawals

Official withdraws are students who complete the required paperwork and return it to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

Unofficial withdraws are determined at the end of the semester once grades are posted. Students who cease to attend classes receive a FX as a final grade. Any student who receives a FX grade will be evaluated to see if the last date of an academic activity reported by the instructor is before the 60% point.

Any student who receives all FX grades for a semester, or all FX grades and Ws, will be considered unofficially withdrawn from the university. If the date of unofficial withdrawal is recorded before 60% of the enrollment period has passed, the Financial Aid Office is required by law to perform the Return of Title IV Funds calculation and return a portion of the student's financial aid to the federal programs

Any student who receives all FX grades for a semester, or all FX grades and Ws, will be ineligible to receive financial aid for the next semester or term. As with any unsatisfactory academic progress, the student has the right to appeal the loss of financial aid. A student wishing to appeal must send a detailed letter along with any relevant supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Office.

Summer Term

Summer is considered one term with multiple mini-terms imbedded within the time period. Therefore; for return of title IV funds, FSU will be required to use the new law established in the Higher Education Amendments of 2009. The law requires schools to determine the exact date a student withdraws from a module and if the student is still enrolled in future modules. If the student is not enrolled in future modules the return of title IV funds will be calculated. If the student remains enrolled in future mini sessions the return of funds calculation is not required.  However; if the student fails to attend a future mini session or the course is canceled, the return of funds will be calculated.

Leave of Absence

A leave of absence from Frostburg is considered a total withdraw from the University. After the leave of absence is processed all courses are given the grade of W or WF depending on the date of withdrawal. If the leave of absence is taken before 60% of the enrollment period elapses, the return of Title IV funds will be calculated.