Return to Title IV
Federal aid (Pell Grant, FSEOG, Work-Study, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and PLUS Loans) is awarded to University of Arkansas students under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire award period. Under federal regulation, when a student withdraws on or before completing 60% of the award period, a portion of their Title IV funds may need to be returned. A federally mandated calculation is used to determine aid eligibility and if any funds need to be returned to the Title IV programs at the time of withdrawal.
Return of Title IV (R2T4)
How much of the Title IV funds need to be returned?
The federally mandated R2T4 calculation, which determines how much federal aid a school must return by or on behalf of the student, is based on the withdrawal date, the amount of aid received, and the institutional charges. The purpose of the calculation is to determine the amount of federal aid that a student should receive based on the duration of enrollment during the award term. The award term is the term in which the aid is awarded and disbursed. Students remain eligible to receive aid on a prorated basis until 60% of the term has passed. The calculation for students who withdraw on or after 60% of the award term has passed will result in an R2T4 calculation that requires $0 to be returned.
In what order of federal aid will my funds be returned?
Funds are returned to the Title IV programs in the following order: Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct Subsidized Loans, PLUS Loans, then federal grants (Pell and FSEOG) within 45 days of the student’s withdrawal date. Federal Work-Study is not included in the R2T4 calculation.
Depending on the dates of attendance, the student may be eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement. In this situation, the Office of Financial Aid will notify the student of the results of the calculation and possible options.
How will I know what I need to do if I withdrawal (in respect to R2T4)?
The Office of Financial Aid prepares the Return of Title IV aid calculation based on the date of withdrawal in UAConnect. If you were enrolled less than 60% of the award term, an adjustment to your financial aid award will be made through UAConnect. The Office of Financial Aid will notify you of the calculation results via email.
After the Return to Title IV financial aid is adjusted per the calculation in UAConnect, a balance may 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.
If I initiate a withdrawal, how will I know what actions I need to take for R2T4?
The Office of Financial Aid prepares the Return of Title IV aid calculation based on the date of withdrawal. If you attended less than 60% of the award term, an adjustment to your financial aid award will be made. The Office of Financial Aid will notify you of the calculation results via email.
After the Return to Title IV calculation is completed, the student may owe a balance for institutional charges. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the Treasurer’s Office for any balance owed to the University.
Dropping All Classes
Who should I talk to before I withdraw to make an informed decision?
Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor, a financial aid counselor, and staff in the Treasurer’s Office to discuss the withdrawal process and ensure they understand the academic, financial, and billing implications before making a final decision. The Treasurer’s Office provides institutional information regarding withdrawals and the Office of the Registrar’s website lists the fee adjustment dates for each semester.
How do I withdraw from the university?
There are two official student-initiated methods to withdraw from the university. A student must either 1) complete the withdrawal process online through the Student Center in UAConnect or 2) submit a written and signed notification to the Registrar’s Office within the appropriate term for it to be manually processed.
In UAConnect Resources, navigate to the ‘Official Withdrawal- Dropping All Classes’ for more information.
Unofficial Withdrawal and Return of Title IV
What is an unofficial withdrawal?
When a student fails to complete the official withdrawal process and ceases to participate in classes, this is often referred to as an unofficial withdrawal. According to R2T4 policy, a student is considered to have unofficially withdrawn from a term if each grade earned is either F, I, W, or a combination of these grades for each course (hour) attempted.
How is Return of Title IV determined for unofficial withdrawals?
The Return of Title IV calculation is run at the end of the semester on all students who fail to complete each of the hours attempted (F, I, or W). The Office of Financial Aid will email professors requesting the date of a student’s last educational activity. Based on the professors' responses, a Return to Title IV calculation may be required. The Office of Financial Aid will notify you of the calculation results via email and adjust your award, if necessary.
After the R2T4 adjustment to your award(s), a balance may 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.