Student Rights & Responsibilities

You have a right to ask the University:

• What financial assistance is available, including information on all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
• What the priority dates are for submitting applications for each of the financial aid programs available.
• What the cost of attendance is and what the policies are concerning refunds to students who withdraw.
• What criteria is used to determine financial need.
• How your cost of attendance is determined or how cost of attendance affects financial need.
• What resources (such as parental contribution, other financial aid, your assets, etc.) are considered in the calculation of your need.
• How much of your financial need has been met.
• To explain the various programs in your student aid package. If you believe your circumstances require additional analysis, you may request reconsideration of the offer that was made to you.
• What portion of the financial aid you receive must be repaid and what portion is gift aid.  If the aid is a loan, you have the right to know the interest rate, the total amount that must be repaid, the length of time you have to repay the loan, and when repayment is to begin.
• How the school determines whether you are making satisfactory academic progress and what happens if you are not.

It is your responsibility to:

• Review and consider all information about the University's financial aid programs before you enroll.
• Pay special attention to your application for student financial aid, complete it accurately, and submit it on time to the right place. Errors can delay your receiving financial aid. Intentional misreporting of information on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of law and is considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code.
• Provide all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and new information requested by either the Department of Student Financial Aid of the agency to which you submitted the application.
• Read and understand all forms that you are asked to sign and keep copies of all of them.
• Accept responsibility for all agreements you sign.
• If you have a loan, notify the lender of changes in your name, address, and/or school status.  Also, notify the Registrar's office of address changes so that financial aid information can be sent to you in an expeditious manner.
• Perform, in a satisfactory manner, the work that is agreed upon in a Federal/State Work-Study job.
• Know and comply with the deadlines for application or reapplication for aid.
• Understand your school's refund policy.
• Report any funds you receive from assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, employment, etc., after your Financial Aid Offer has been made or accepted.
• Pay any tuition, fees, room, board or other related expenses not paid by financial aid or scholarships by deadlines.

Taxation of Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants

All scholarship and grant funds received are subject to taxation by the Internal Revenue Service.  The Tax Reform Act of 1986 allows for the exclusion of specific education-related costs such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies.  Students should keep accurate records and receipts of financial aid and expenses.  Questions and request for assistance in completing tax returns should be addressed to the internal Revenue Service or a private tax consultant.  Student loans are not taxable.