Title IV Financial Aid Regulations

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS FOR FINANCIAL AID PURPOSES

Federal Title IV financial aid regulations require undergraduate and graduate students receiving federal student financial aid to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at the university in order to remain eligible for this aid. These SAP standards also apply to certain state and institutional financial aid programs. The Financial Aid Office evaluates SAP at the end of each semester, once grades are posted. There are three components of SAP: a qualitative standard (i.e., GPA), pace of progression (number of credits attempted and earned for each year of study), and a maximum time frame to complete the degree or program. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is evaluated using all semesters of enrollment, including summer terms. For students who begin a graduate or professional program after completing an undergraduate degree, SAP standards—such as GPA, pace of completion, and maximum time frame—are reset and assessed according to the requirements of the new graduate program. For detailed information on how SAP is evaluated for both undergraduate and graduate students, visit the SAP section on the UCentral website. For information on financial aid warning status, financial aid suspension, and appeal process for students who do not meet SAP requirements, refer to the Satisfactory Academic Policy on the same site.

WITHDRAWING AND RETURN OF TITLE IV AID

Federal Pell Grant
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Direct Loans
Direct PLUS Loans

Even though Federal Work-Study is a Title IV program, it is exempt from the Return of Title IV calculation. The student is able to keep all Federal Work-Study earnings up to the time of withdrawal, but is ineligible to work after the withdrawal date.

In addition to the information below, visit the Withdrawing and Return of Funds UCentral website.

Students Who Officially Withdraw

When federal Title IV grants or loan assistance is disbursed and the recipient withdraws, the law requires that The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley calculate the amount that must be returned by the school and/or student to Title IV programs.

Official withdrawal is when a student provides official notification of their intent to withdraw and/or by following UTRGV’s withdrawal process or who have dropped all their Courses in Program of Study (CPOS) and remain enrolled only in non-CPOS courses with Title IV aid paid. The date the student initiates the withdrawal or drops all their CPOS courses (or intent to withdraw) is considered the last date of attendance for the student and is used for calculating the percentage used in the formula for Return of Title IV funds. The number of days from the first-class day to the withdrawal date divided by the number of days in the payment period (semester) equals the percentage of Title IV funds earned. If the withdrawal date is after the 60 percent point of the semester, the student has earned 100 percent of the Title IV funds. If the withdrawal date is before the 60 percent point of the semester, the student will be responsible for returning the unearned funds. The student will be notified of the responsibility to repay unearned funds to the appropriate program and/or to UTRGV.

Students Who Unofficially Withdraw

When federal Title IV grants or loan assistance is disbursed and the recipient fails to earn a passing grade, the law requires that The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley calculate the amount that must be returned by the school and/or student to Title IV programs.

Unofficial withdrawal is when a student fails to earn a passing grade for the term enrolled. The school will determine if they will use the midpoint of the payment period or the last day of attendance in an academically-related activity for Return of Title IV funds. The number of days from the first-class day to the withdrawal date divided by the number of days in the payment period (semester) equals the percentage of Title IV funds earned. If the withdrawal date is after the 60 percent point of the semester, the student has earned 100 percent of the Title IV funds. If the withdrawal date is before the 60 percent point of the semester, the student will be responsible for returning the unearned funds. The student will be notified of the responsibility to repay unearned funds to the appropriate program and/or to UTRGV.

Students Who Withdraw from Study Abroad

Any time a student withdraws from the study abroad program, he or she will be responsible for repayment of federal financial aid funds, if applicable.

COURSES IN PROGRAM OF STUDY (CPOS)

As per federal regulations, courses that do not apply toward a students degree program will not be eligible for financial aid. At UTRGV, this requirement is applied to all types of financial aid such as Federal, State, and Institutional aid. Thus, students enrolling in courses that are not required as part of their degree could see their financial aid prorated and/or cancelled as required by the US Department of Education. Students should consult with their graduate program coordinators. Medical students should consult with the SOM’s designated registrar official. For more information, see the Stay on Track UCentral website.

VERIFICATION OF ATTENDANCE AND ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT

UTRGV requires faculty to report students who had no academic engagement between the beginning of a semester and census day (official 12th class day) or (4th class day for Summer). Academic engagement consists of active participation by a student in an instructional activity related to the student’s course of study. Examples of academic engagement include but are not limited to attending (physically or online) a synchronous class, lecture, or laboratory activity, submitting an academic assignment or taking an exam. Federal regulations state that a student must begin academic engagement in all classes for which they enroll in order to establish Title IV program eligibility (i.e., loans & grants). A student who is reported as not having academic engagement will have their financial aid reduced and the cost of attendance budget adjusted.