Withdrawal Policy for Students who use FSA

Under federal regulations (HEA, Section 484B; 34 CFR 668.22) Federal Student Aid (FSA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend and participate in both 8 week course modules during their designated Term (aka: 16 week payment period). If a student discontinues participation, drops a course module, or completely withdraws from their program of study, during the payment period, the amount of FSA assistance earned by the student must be determined.  If the amount disbursed to the student is greater than the amount the student earned, unearned funds must be returned.  If the amount disbursed to the student is less than the amount the student earned, and for which the student is otherwise eligible, he or she is eligible to receive a Post-withdrawal disbursement of the earned aid that was not received.

A student is considered to have earned 100% of their financial aid if the student has attended 60% of the payment period.

Examples of the unearned funds calculations:

Example 1:

If a student is scheduled to attend 12 credits in the payment period, 6 credits in the first 8 week module and 6 credits in the second 8 week module, and fails to attend courses or drops the second 8 week module courses after the module has begun, the student is subject to a return of funds calculation using the full number of calendar days minus the number of days attended in the first 8 week module to calculate the percentage of funds to be returned.

Example 2:

If a student is scheduled to attend 12 credits in the payment period, 6 credits in the first 8 week module and 6 credits in the second 8 week module but notifies JIU within the first 8 week module that they will not attend the courses scheduled in the second 8 week module, no return calculation is needed unless the student received unsatisfactory grades in the first 8 week module courses. If a student receives unsatisfactory grades in the first 8 week module, the number of calendar days used is equal to the number of days in the first 8 week module minus the number of days attended in the first 8 week module to calculate the percentage of funds to be returned.

For more information regarding examples of calculations, please contact our Financial Aid Department.