Return of Title IV Funds Policy or What happens if I withdraw from all my classes?

A student may find it necessary to withdraw from all classes during a semester. The student may be eligible to receive a refund of tuition and course fees depending upon the timing of the withdrawal.

If circumstances cause a student to withdraw from all classes, they are encouraged to contact their academic advisor AND the financial aid office so their decision will be based on a clear understanding of the consequences of withdrawing from all classes.

Determining Aid Earned

If a student withdraws from UW Oshkosh, then the school, or the student, or both may be required to return some or all of the federal funds awarded to the student for that semester. The federal government requires a return of Title IV federal aid that was received if the student withdrew on or before completing 60% of the semester. Federal funds, for the purposes of this federal regulation, include Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Direct PLUS Loans. The formula used in this federal “return of funds” calculation divides the aid received into earned aid and unearned aid.

A student “earns” financial aid in proportion to the time the student is enrolled up to the 60% point. The percentage of federal aid to be returned (unearned aid) is equal to the number of calendar days remaining in the semester when the withdrawal takes place divided by the total number of calendar days in the semester. If a student was enrolled for 20% of the semester before completely withdrawing, 80% of federal financial aid must be returned to the aid programs. If a student stays through 50% of the semester, 50% of federal financial aid must be returned.

For a student who withdraws after the 60% point-in-time, there is no unearned aid. However, a school must still complete a Return calculation in order to determine whether the student is eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement.

Return of Title IV Federal Financial Aid

Once the amount of unearned federal aid is calculated, the UW Oshkosh repayment responsibility is the lesser of that amount or the amount of unearned institutional charges. The school satisfies its responsibility by repaying funds in the student’s package in the following order:

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
• Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
• Federal Direct PLUS Loan
• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal SEOG
• Federal TEACH Grant
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants

Keep in mind that when Title IV funds are returned, the student borrower may owe a balance to the institution and/or the U.S. Department of Education. If a student fails to repay grant funds, the student may be ineligible for future federal financial aid.

Unofficial Withdrawal Policy or What happens if I never officially withdraw?

Students are defined as unofficially withdrawn for Title IV Federal Aid purposes when they do not have any grades for the semester other than F’s (failing grades).

Identification Process

A final grade of “F” is assigned by instructors failing students. When instructors assign an “F” grade they are asked to report the last known date of attendance, if possible.

At the end of each semester, a report is generated of all students who have Title IV federal aid and who have a semester GPA of 0.00. Those students who have all “F‘s” are assumed to be ‘unofficially withdrawn’.

Administrative Action

The report is reviewed for those students with federal and state aid whom are assumed to have unofficially withdrawn from the University. The last date of attendance as reported by any of the instructors is determined and used in the Return of Title IV Funds calculation.

If a last day of attendance cannot otherwise be determined, the student is assumed to have attended 50% of the enrollment period and the formula is calculated based on that length of attendance.

Students will be billed for resulting institutional charges and repayments of federal and/or state financial aid.

University Refund Policy for Withdrawals**

Prior to:

Term Begin 100%

Week 1 100%

Week 2 100%

Week 3 50%

Week 4 50%

After Week 4 0%

* The percentages reflect the percent of Financial Aid that must be returned by the University.
** The percentages reflect the percent the tuition cost will be reduced as a result of the withdrawal.

These schedules do not match; therefore, the student will owe the University the difference between the Refund percentage (**) and the Return percentage (*).

 Example:

A student is enrolled in 12 credits. The fees are $1731.35. The financial aid disbursed to pay these fees was $2667.50 in a Stafford Loan. The student withdraws from the credits at the end of the third week, Sept. 24. He has attended 21 days or 18 percent of the semester (21 days attended/115 days in semester) and therefore has earned 18 percent of the aid disbursed to him (.18*$2667.50=$480.15). The total amount of aid to be returned is the amount disbursed less the amount earned, $2187.35 ($2667.50-$480.15=$2187.35). The University must calculate the portion of the total unearned aid that it must return from the students account. Since the student has earned 18 percent, then 82 percent is unearned. 82 percent of the University’s fees are therefore unearned and $1419.71 ($1731.35*.82=$1419.71). The University’s refund policy states that through week three, the University will refund 50 percent of the tuition fees, which in this case is $865.00. The University is required to refund $1419.71 to the loan but the student’s account only has $865.00 in available credit. When the University returns the $1419.71, the student will owe the University $554.71. Refunds of campus housing and meal charges are made on a prorated basis computed weekly. Students must check out of the residence halls according to procedures available at the main desk in each hall. The check out date will be used to determine charges and refunds for housing.

Students enrolled at more than one University of Wisconsin institution may combine credits taken in order to determine their full-time status and fee assessment. Present evidence of fees paid and credits being taken with a request for reimbursement of fees paid in excess of full-time to the Student Accounts Office, Dempsey Hall 236. Call (920) 424-1332 for information.

SECTION II  Financial Aid

Financial aid at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is awarded primarily on the basis of financial need. Need is defined as the difference between estimated educational costs and the student aid index (computed by FAFSA data). By completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), students and their families provide the Financial Aid Office with information necessary to evaluate the student’s financial need. The University attempts to meet that need from available funds.

Applying for Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Some financial aid programs have limited funding and are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible, after it becomes available on Oct. 1. Please note that the applicant may be required to turn in additional information to the Financial Aid Office before their application can be processed.

Students must also be admitted to the university before financial aid is packaged.

Applications are processed and notification is sent as soon as possible after federal, state and local awarding formulas are determined.

The Aid Package

Financial aid applicants are evaluated for all the types of aid administered by the Financial Aid Office. It is not necessary to apply separately for each type of assistance.  Financial aid offered to students may be in the form of grants or scholarships (gifts), federal loans and part-time employment.

Students must meet all of the following eligibility requirements to qualify for federal and state funds:
– demonstrate financial need
– be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen
– enroll in a degree-seeking program
– not owe a repayment on a grant
– not be in default status on a loan
– meet academic progress standards
– have a valid Social Security number

Financial aid packages may be made up of one or more of the following federal or state programs.

Need-based programs:

Federal Pell Grant – This award will vary depending on enrollment level and Student Aid Index.  See Financial Aid for more details.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG) – This grant is awarded to Pell-eligible students with exceptional need.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG) – This grant is awarded to students with Pell Grant eligibility and exceptional need.

Wisconsin Higher Education Grant – This state grant is available to Wisconsin residents that qualify according to the formula set by the Higher Education Aids Board (HEAB). Awards ranged from approximately $1,000 to $3,500.

Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) – TAG funding is available to students who do not qualify for the Wisconsin Grant and yet still have remaining unmet need.

Talent Incentive Program Grant – This state grant is awarded to freshmen students who are Wisconsin residents, meet established criteria and demonstrate exceptional financial need. It may be renewed for four years, based on financial need. Application should be made to a Wisconsin Education Opportunity Center or through nomination by the Financial Aid Office.

Indian Grant – This award for Native American students is funded jointly by the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (or contracting tribes) and the State of Wisconsin. Recipients must be at least one-fourth American Indian as certified by the appropriate Indian agency. Only residents of the State of Wisconsin can qualify for the state portion of this grant. Non-residents may qualify for the federal portion depending upon the disposition of the contracting tribe. Certification forms are available from tribal offices or the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board.

Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grant – This Universities of Wisconsin award is made to students who have reached sophomore standing and are Wisconsin residents who are Black, Hispanic, Native Indian or qualifying Southeast Asian.

Nursing Student Loan – This need-based loan is available only to students enrolled in the College of Nursing. Verification is required to receive this award.

Federal Subsidized Direct Loans – Loans available from the US Department of Education. The Financial Aid Office notifies applicants of their eligibility after submission of FAFSA. Loan is interest-free while student is enrolled a minimum of half-time. Repayment begins after a six-month grace period, which starts when enrollment ceases to be at least half time or the student completes their degree.

Federal Work Study Program – This part-time employment is available to students with financial need. Most jobs are on campus with a few jobs being available at eligible non-profit off-campus agencies. Interested students should confirm eligibility with the Financial Aid Office and check the job listings on Titan Jobs:  https://uwosh.joinhandshake.com/login

Some Other Sources of Financial Assistance:

Financial need is not the primary requirement in some of the following forms of financial aid. Awards may be determined by parties other than the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Financial Aid Office.

Titan National Scholar (TNS) – The TNS award is available to non-resident students who meet certain admissions criteria.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans – This loan is for parents of dependent students. It is not based on financial need; however, this loan and the student’s other financial aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance for the term of the loan. Processing fees are charged. Repayment begins 60 days after the final disbursement. Interest rate is fixed and determined annually by the U.S. Department of Education. The student must submit FAFSA and parents must apply separately for Plus loan through studentaid.gov.

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans – Loans available from the US Department of Education. The Financial Aid Office notifies applicants of their eligibility after submission of FAFSA. Loan is will begin accruing interest after disbursement of funds. Repayment begins after a six-month grace period, which starts when enrollment ceases to be at least half time or the student completes their degree.

Private Loan – Private education loans are designed to help students fill the gap between the costs of education and the amount of aid they already receive.  The student is the borrower of the private loan and will generally need a co-signer in order to be approved and receive the most favorable interest rate.  Private loans should be considered only after exhausting all federal sources of financial aid.  Also, there are fees associated with private loans.

Student Assistant Employment – This is part-time employment for students on the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus. No financial need analysis is required. Interested students should check the job listings on Titan Jobs:  https://uwosh.joinhandshake.com/login

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Students with physical or mental handicaps may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits. Interested persons should contact D.V.R., 201 E. Washington Ave, JEF1 Room A100, P.O. Box 7852, Madison, WI 53707-7852, or the local D.V.R. office. Financial need is considered; awards are made by the respective D.V.R. offices.

High Schools and Other Community Agencies and Organizations – In most communities, scholarships are provided by various educational, industrial, professional and fraternal organizations. Students should check with their school counselors for further information.

Minnesota – Wisconsin Reciprocity Program – This arrangement permits an eligible Minnesota resident to attend the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and pay Minnesota resident fees. Interested Minnesota residents should write to Higher Education Coordinating Commission, 400 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101.

Scholarships

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh offers non-need based scholarships including the Honors Scholarships and Minority Honor Scholarship. Student should apply through Academic Works.
Scholarships are considered a student resource and may affect the types and amounts of aid the student may receive.

Further Information

It should be noted that because of the number and complexity of financial aid programs, only basic descriptions of the various sources of aid can be provided here. No attempt is made to provide a comprehensive listing of all the considerations in assessing financial need and determining eligibility for funds.

Furthermore, all guidelines for administering financial aid programs are subject to change at any time as the result of legislative action or administrative mandate from the federal and state agencies responsible for the direction of the programs.

The awarding of financial aid to students depends upon each student’s eligibility and the availability of funds. As funds are often insufficient to meet the need, the importance of early application cannot be overemphasized.

Contact: Financial Aid Office, Dempsey Hall 104.

Phone: (920) 424-3377
E-Mail: fao@uwosh.edu
Web Site: https://uwosh.edu/financialaid/
Other Resources
www.studentaid.gov