Students who are considering withdrawing from all classes at UST and are receiving federal financial aid should talk to a financial aid counselor before withdrawing from courses.
U.S. Department of Education financial aid policy requires that students earn their federal aid based on the amount of time they attend classes at UST. In order to earn all their federal aid, students must attend classes through 60 percent of the semester. (Nov. 9, 2011, for fall semester undergraduate and most standard graduate programs. This date is different for Law and cohort programs.)
If a student withdraws before this date, the Financial Aid Office is required to calculate how much of a student’s federal aid he or she has earned and return the unearned portion to the federal government. There are no special circumstances (such as medical emergencies) that can prevent federal funds from being returned when a student withdraws before the 60 percent date.
Federal financial aid includes: Direct Loans, Perkins Loans, PLUS Loans, and grants from the Pell Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), and Teacher Education Assistance for Higher Education Grant (TEACH) programs.
Note: This federal financial aid policy differs from the UST institutional refund policy. The federal requirement may mean that students will owe UST money because some of their financial aid has been returned.
Students who are receiving aid through any of these programs are encouraged to schedule a meeting with a financial aid counselor to consider the financial aid implications of withdrawing from school. Detailed information regarding the federal financial aid withdrawal policy for undergraduate and graduate students can be found on the Financial Aid Office website.
For more information call the Financial Aid Office, (651) 962-6550.
