Withdrawal from Missouri State University-West Plains
If a student receives federal financial aid and withdraws from all classes before completing at least 60% of the semester, federal regulations require that the "unearned" portion of any federal financial aid received be returned to the appropriate federal aid source. Federal rules specify that repayment first apply toward federal loans, then federal grants. The return of state aid follows federal regulations.
Depending on the withdrawal date, the student may incur charges from the university, the repayment of which the student is responsible. The unearned portion of financial aid that must be repaid has no relationship to any refund of tuition, fees or housing charges that might be credited to the student's account based on the date of withdrawal. For more information on university withdrawal procedures, See Withdrawal Procedures.
If a student withdraws before the first day of classes, 100% of aid received must be returned to the appropriate source. If a student withdraws at any point in the semester and the university determines that the student never attended classes, 100% of the aid received must be returned and university charges may be incurred.
At the time withdrawal documents are submitted, the student will be informed about potential repayment obligations. The student will also be formally notified in writing of the amounts to be repaid by program and who is responsible for making the payment. Repayment of federal grant funds must be made to Missouri State University-West Plains within 45 days of notification. If payment is not made, the student will need to establish a repayment plan with the Department of Education. Eligibility for additional aid is dependent upon the student repaying the grant(s) in full or abiding by the repayment plan. Loan funds are repaid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the promissory note.
If a student does not officially withdraw and fails to earn a passing grade in at least one enrolled course during the semester, the Office of Financial Aid will verify if the failing grades were earned or were the result of non-attendance. If non-attendance is determined, the "unearned" calculation will be applied based on the last date of a documented academically related activity or the mid-point of the semester.
Updated January 2021
Approved by Administrative Council: January 12, 2021
Dropping/Adding Classes
Dropping/Adding Classes – Each semester has a financial aid freeze date. At the beginning of a semester, your aid (PELL and SEOG) is paid based on your enrollment status (full time, ¾ time, ½ time or less than ½ time). During the add/drop week, you may increase or decrease your credit hours. If your enrollment status changed during that period, your aid will be readjusted. Example: If you are paid full time Pell then drop to ¾ or ½ enrollment, your Pell will be recalculated and may cause you to have to repay Pell. If enrollment increases, your Pell could also increase. After the add/drop period (Pell Freeze Date), your aid will not be adjusted. Students taking block courses must be registered for those classes prior to the end of the change of schedule period. Loans require minimum enrollment of at least six credit hours. Scholarships – check the scholarship enrollment criteria.
Disbursement of Funds
Your award letter normally indicates how your award is divided (fall, spring). At the beginning of each semester, we will credit your student account with the funds (Pell, SEOG, scholarships). Stafford Direct Student Loan funds are applied once the funds have been received from the government. If your aid exceeds institutional charges, books can be charged at the Drago College Store during the designated period. After the book charge period, any balance of funds will be disbursed to the student. Financial aid credit balances are not disbursed until after attendance and participation have been verified. Refunds are typically released four/five weeks after classes start for the fall or spring semesters. Summer credit balances would disburse approximately three to four weeks after classes start. Contact the financial aid office for more details. Students can use the Deferred Payment Plan to cover their fees until their financial aid is processed. Contact the business office for information regarding the plan. To qualify for federal financial aid, you must be in attendance. Class attendance could be verified before funds are disbursed.