Return to Title IV
Federal aid is awarded to University of Arkansas students under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period of the award. Federal regulation requires students who receive federal financial aid (Pell Grant, FSEOG, Work-Study, Perkins, Stafford, and PLUS Loans) to go through a calculation to determine aid eligibility if s/he withdraws on or before completing 60% of the term.
The calculation, the Return to Title IV, is mandated by federal regulation which is based on aid awarded and institutional charges. The purpose of the calculation is to determine the amount of federal aid that a student earned for the actual time enrolled during the period for which the aid was awarded and disbursed. Students earn on a pro-rated basis until 60% of the term has passed. After 60% of the term has passed the student is considered to have earned 100% of their aid. Funds are returned to the Title IV programs in the order of unsubsidized loans, subsidized loans, Perkins, PLUS Loans, and then federal grants (Pell and FSEOG) within 45 days of the student’s withdrawal.
The exception to this required calculation is federal work study. Federal work study eligibility is reviewed and the employer is notified without a calculation. Depending on the scenario of dates of attendance and aid, the student may be eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement. The Treasurer’s Office will notify the student of the results of the calculation and possible options including post-withdrawal disbursements.
Students are encouraged to visit with academic advisors and both Student Accounts and Financial Aid counselors to discuss withdrawing to ensure an informed decision. The Treasurer’s Office home page provides institutional information regarding withdrawals.
There are two official student-initiated methods to withdraw from the university. Students may complete the withdrawal process online through the Student Center in UAConnect. For students unable to access UAConnect, a written and signed notification can be sent to the Registrar’s Office within the appropriate term to be manually processed and entered into UAConnect.
The Office of Financial Aid prepares the Return of Title IV aid calculation based on the date of withdrawal in UAConnect. An adjustment to the financial aid award on the UAConnect student account may be necessary. Students will be notified by the Office of Financial Aid of the amount of aid earned and the amount of aid that needs to be returned based on this calculation.
When students fail to complete the official withdrawal process and cease to participate in classes, this is often referred to as an unofficial withdrawal. The Return of Title IV calculation is run at the end of the semester on all students who fail to complete any hours attempted. The professor and the student are sent an email asking for information about the student's last academic activity. Based on the email responses, a Return to Title IV calculation may be processed as if the student withdrew at the 50% point of the term. These students are then notified of their eligibility and/or responsibilities of repayment by the Treasurer’s Office. The withdrawal date may be adjusted if the student attends an academic related event after withdrawing. Possible examples of academic related events are attending class, taking a test, or attending a required lab or study session.
After the Return to Title IV financial aid is adjusted per the calculation, a balance may still be owed on institutional charges. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the Treasurer’s Office for any balance owed to the University.