RETURN TO TITLE IV POLICY

Students who receive federal financial aid and then withdraw from all approved classes at their financial aid processing school may have to repay some or all of the federal funds they receive.

A student's eligibility for financial aid is based upon their enrollment. The Higher Education Amendment of 1998 governs the Return to Title IV Funds Policy for a student who completely withdraws from a period of enrollment (i.e. semester). These rules assume that a student "earns" aid based on his/her semester enrollment. "Unearned" aid, other than Federal Work-Study, must be returned. Unearned aid is the amount of federal financial aid disbursed that exceeds the amount the student has earned. Unearned aid may be subject to repayment.

During the first 60% of the semester enrollment, a student earns aid in direct proportion to the length of time of his/her enrollment. The percentage of time the student remained enrolled is the percentage of aid for that period for which the student earned his/her aid. A student remains enrolled beyond the 60% point of the semester enrollment has earned all of his/her aid for the period.

If a student owes a repayment, the student will be notified by mail. The repayment may include institutional charges. The student has 45 days from the date of the notification to repay. A hold will be placed on the student's academic and financial aid records. A hold will prevent the student from receiving college services and will jeopardize future financial aid eligibility. Unpaid overpayments will be reported to the U.S. Department of Education for collection.

It is advised that the student contact the Los Angeles Pierce College Financial Aid Office before withdrawing from all of his/her classes so the student understands the results of his/her actions. Refer to the Los Angeles Pierce College Schedule of Classes or the Los Angeles Pierce College General Catalog for policies regarding the refunding of enrollment fees and nonresident tuition.