refund policy

The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 changed the formula for calculating the amount of aid a student and school can retain when the student totally withdraws from all classes. Students who withdraw from all classes prior to completing more than 60 percent of an enrollment term will have their eligibility for aid recalculated based on the percent of the term completed. For example, a student who withdraws completing only 30 percent of the term will have “earned” only 30 percent of any Title IV aid received. The remaining 70 percent must be returned by the school and/or the student. The Student Account Office encourages you to read this policy carefully. If you are thinking about withdrawing from all classes prior to completing 60 percent of the semester, you should contact the Student Financial Services Office to see how your withdrawal will affect your financial aid.

• This policy shall apply to all students who withdraw, drop out, or are expelled from FHU and receive financial aid from Title IV funds:
  • The term “Title IV Funds” refers to the Federal financial aid programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended) and includes the following programs: unsubsidized loans, subsidized loans, Federal Direct PLUS loans, Federal Pell Grants, and Federal SEOG.
  • A student’s withdrawal date is:
    • The date the student began the institution’s withdrawal process or officially notified the institution of intent to withdraw; or
    • the midpoint of the period for a student who leaves without notifying the institution; or
    • the student’s last date of attendance at a documented academically–related activity.
• Title IV aid is earned in a prorated manner on a per diem basis up to and including the 60 percent point in the semester. Title IV aid and all other aid is viewed as 100 percent earned after that point in time.
  • The percent of Title IV aid earned shall be calculated as follows: Number of days completed by student divided by total numbers of days term* = percent of term completed.
• Refunds and adjusted bills will be sent to the student’s home address on file in the Office of the Registrar following withdrawal. Students are responsible for any portion of their institutional charges that are left outstanding after Title IV funds are returned.
• Institutional and student responsibilities in regard to the return of Title IV funds.
  • Freed–Hardeman University’s responsibilities in regard to the return of Title IV funds include:
    • Providing each student with the information given in this policy
    • Identifying students who are affected by this policy and completing the Return of Title IV Funds calculation for those students
    • Returning any Title IV funds that are due the Title IV programs
• The fees, procedures, and policies listed above supersede those published previously and are subject to change at any time.
• Any notification of a withdrawal or cancellation of classes should be in writing and addressed to the Office of the Registrar. Such notification may be made by facsimile.
• The percent of term completed shall be the percentage of Title IV aid earned by the student.*The total number of calendar days in a term of enrollment shall exclude any scheduled breaks of more than five days.
• The percent of Title IV aid unearned (i.e., to be returned to the appropriate program) shall be 100 percent minus the percent earned.
• Unearned aid shall be returned first by FHU from the student’s account calculated as follows:(Total institutional charges X % of unearned aid) = amount returned to  program(s)
• Unearned Title IV aid shall be returned to the following programs in the following order: (Exception: no program can receive a refund if the student did not receive aid from that program.)
  • Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
  • Subsidized Stafford Loan
  • Parent Loans to Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal SEOG
  • Other Title IV grant programs
• The student’s responsibilities in regard to the return of Title IV funds include:
  • Becoming familiar with the Return of Title IV policy and how complete withdrawal affects eligibility for Title IV aid
  • Returning to the Title IV programs any funds that were disbursed directly to the student and for which the student was determined to be ineligible for via the Return of Title IV Funds calculation

If you would like examples of the refund policy, contact the Office of Student Financial Services.