Return to Title IV (R2T4)

Return of Title IV Funds

The Return of Title IV policy is to establish the processes for returning federal funds for students who completely withdraw from the institution and/or withdraw from all courses in a given term. As defined by the U.S. Department of Education, these students must have a Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculation performed to determine the percentage of aid earned based on the amount of time the student was enrolled at the Institution. 

Federal Financial Aid is awarded under the assumption that a student will complete attendance for the entire period of enrollment for which aid was awarded. When a student withdraws from all courses, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of the federal financial aid originally awarded. The student will only be eligible to keep the “earned” portion of the federal financial aid the student received for that term (semester). 

Students who receive federal financial aid and who do not remain in attendance through the end of the term could be responsible for repaying a portion of the financial aid originally received.  

Title IV aid, delineated by the Higher Education Act of 1965, comprises the subsequent programs: 

1. Federal Unsubsidized Student Loan 
2. Federal Grad PLUS Loan 

Instructions for returning funds are in this order: 

1. Direct Unsubsidized Loan 
2. Direct Grad PLUS Loan 

Disbursement After Withdrawal 

If the amount of Title IV grants or loans earned before withdrawing is greater than the disbursed amount, it will be considered a post-withdrawal disbursement. The school must ask for your permission before paying if this involves loan funds. If you decline, we will give the funds to you. However, allowing the school to keep the funds could be beneficial in reducing any remaining debts owed to the institution. 

If you withdraw from all of your courses during the term, the Office of Fellowships and Financial Aid will determine if any of the federal aid you received should be returned to the Department of Education. Students who drop below half-time will need to complete exit counseling online