Texas A&M University Graduate Catalog

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Tuition, Fees and Other Finanacial Information

Refund Policy

Withdrawal from the University

The federal government mandates that students who officially and unofficially withdraw from all classes may only keep the financial assistance they have "earned" up to the time of withdrawal. Documentation for students who unofficially withdraw from the University may be required. Title IV funds that were disbursed in excess of the earned amount must be returned by the University and/or the student to the federal government. This situation could result in the student owing financial assistance to the University, government or both.

To determine the amount of aid the student has earned up to the time of withdrawal, the Department of Student Financial Aid will divide the number of calendar days the student attended classes by the total number of calendar days in the semester (less any scheduled breaks of five days or more). The resulting percentage is then multiplied by the total federal funds that were disbursed (either to the student's University account or to the student directly by check or direct deposit) for the semester. This calculation determines the amount of aid earned by the student, which he or she may keep (for example, if the student attended 25 percent of the term, the student will have earned 25 percent of the aid disbursed). The unearned amount (total aid disbursed less the earned amount) must be returned to the federal government by the University or the student. The Department of Student Financial Aid will notify and provide instructions to students who are required to return funds to the government. In most cases, students who complete 60 percent of the semester are eligible for all of the financial aid disbursed to them.

Allocating Returned Title IV (Federal Aid)

Funds that are returned to the federal government are used to reduce the outstanding balances in individual federal programs.

Financial aid returned (by the University and/or the student or parent) must be allocated in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
2. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
3. Federal Perkins Loan
4. Federal PLUS (Parent) Loan
5. Federal Pell Grant
6. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
7. Other federal loan or grant assistance
8. Other state or institutional financial aid programs

Students whose circumstances require that they withdraw from all classes are strongly encouraged to speak with a financial aid counselor and their academic advisor before doing so.

Athletes should see their academic advisor in the Athletic Department before initiating the withdrawal process.