Policies

As a student you have the right to:

• Know all types of financial assistance available (federal, state, institutional).
• Change or decline any financial aid awarded.
• Appeal financial aid eligibility or award decisions.

As a student you are responsible for:

• Accurately completing the FAFSA and Scholarship Application by March 1.
• Using aid solely for CSU Pueblo educational expenses.
• Being admitted into a degree-seeking program and maintaining at least 6 credits per semester.
• Keeping contact info updated and notifying Financial Aid if attending two schools.
• Understanding SAP, Withdrawal, and other policies.
• Reporting all scholarships and monitoring your CSU Pueblo email and PAWS account.

Consortium Agreements allow a CSU Pueblo student (Home Institution) to take courses at another (Host Institution) while remaining eligible for aid through CSU Pueblo. Requirements include transferable credits, degree-seeking status, Pell eligibility, 6 CSU Pueblo credits, and proof of Host Institution enrollment.

Financial Aid Committee – Required by the State of Colorado, this committee advises the Financial Aid Director and reviews SAP appeals, scholarships, and general policy. Membership includes two students, two faculty, two staff, and two Financial Aid Counselors.

Merit Policy – Awards may include State or Institutional funds. Academic performance is the primary factor, though other considerations may apply.

Award Schedule: New students are awarded beginning in March; continuing students in mid-May. Awards are viewable in PAWS. Aid disburses only after all requirements are satisfied.

Disbursement Criteria: Students must be admitted to a degree-seeking program, meet credit minimums, and clear prior balances. First-time loan borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling. Remaining funds may be direct-deposited through PAWS.

Distance Education: Financial aid applies to eligible degree-seeking students in Extended Studies or approved distance courses. Correspondence-only students are considered half-time regardless of credits. Pell Grants disburse after 50% coursework completion.

Return to Title IV (R2T4)

Students who totally withdraw from the University, for any reason, and it is past the drop/add period, must initiate the Official Withdrawal process by contacting the Pack Center. A withdrawal from the University is not considered official until the following three required steps are completed:

1. Students must begin the Official Withdrawal form in the Pack Center
2. Students must speak with a Financial Aid Counselor in Student Financial Services
3. Students must turn in Official Withdrawal form with all required signatures from the above named offices to the Registrar's Office to finalize the withdrawal

This process ensures proper notification of instructors for grading purposes. The withdraw date for an Official Withdraw is determined by the earliest date the student initiated the withdraw. Please note that Official Withdrawals will affect the degree Completion Rate (pace) of the student and may affect their eligibility for financial aid. Please review the University's Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)

Students who totally withdraw from the University after the drop/add period through 60 percent of the semester will have their tuition prorated. A federal formula is used to determine the amount of federal financial aid earned by the student, which will be calculated for students who withdraw within 60 percent of the semester based on the percentage of the semester completed. The University will complete the calculation to determine the amount of unearned Federal financial aid within 30 days of the withdraw date. Unearned Federal funds will be returned to the Department of Education within 45 days of the withdraw date. If the student received less assistance than the amount earned, the student may be able to receive those funds, called a Post Withdrawal Disbursement. For grant aid, the Post Withdrawal Disbursement will occur within 45 days of the withdrawal date and for aid requiring authorization (loans) a letter requesting the student's signature will be mailed within 30 days of the withdrawal date. Students have 14 days to accept or decline the loan funds. If the student received more assistance than earned, the excess funds must be returned. The amount of federal financial aid unearned will be deducted from the adjusted tuition amount credited to the student's account; however, there may be additional institutional charges that were not covered by federal financial aid and will be reflected in the total amount owed by the student. Students may use the following calculation to estimate the amount of Title IV aid he or she earned prior to the withdrawal date.

# of days student completed*/ total # of days in period of enrollment = percentage of aid earned
*Scheduled breaks of five or more days will be excluded from calculation

Students who complete an Official Withdrawal after 60 percent of the period of enrollment will not have their tuition adjusted or the federal financial aid received adjusted. Students can review their account balance through their PAWS account.

Students who complete official withdrawals within 60 percent of the period of enrollment and did not receive federal financial aid will have their tuition prorated.

Students who cease attendance during drop/add and drop all courses receive a 100% tuition refund but must repay all federal aid received.

Students who do not earn any passing grades and do not complete the Official Withdrawal process may be required to repay unearned aid. Students will be notified and may submit documentation.

When a student has not earned all aid and some must be returned, it will be returned by fund type in the following order:

• Unsubsidized direct loans (other than PLUS loans)
• Subsidized direct loans
• Federal Perkins loans
• Federal Plus loans
• Federal Pell Grants
• Fed SEOG
• Federal Teach grants for which a return is required

If the Return of Title IV calculation results in a refund, it will be disbursed within 14 days.

Withdrawal Exemptions:

Exemption for graduates/completers
A student who completes all graduation requirements prior to the end of the period is not considered withdrawn.

Exemptions for programs offered in modules

• Successfully complete one module that includes 49% or more of the payment period
• Complete a combination of modules totaling 49% of the term
• Complete coursework equal to at least half-time enrollment

Exit Counseling: Required for students dropping below 6 credits or withdrawing who have borrowed Federal loans or TEACH Grants.

Summer Financial Aid: Submit FAFSA by April 1 for priority consideration.

Other General Policies: Students may charge books to their CSU Pueblo account via the Bookstore. Monitor PAWS to avoid late fees.