Rights & Responsibilities of Aid Recipients

What are my rights and obligations?
As a consumer of a commodity (financial aid for higher education), you have certain rights to which you are entitled, and certain obligations for which you are responsible.

You have the right to know:

• What financial aid assistance is available, including information on federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
   
• The deadlines for submitting applications for financial aid programs.
  
• The cost of attending WVU, and the University's refund policy.
• The criteria used by WVU to select financial aid recipients.
• How WVU determines your financial need.
• What resources (such as parental contribution, other financial aid, your assets, etc.) are considered in the calculation of your financial need.
• How much of your financial need, as determined by WVU, has been met.
• WVU's awarding policy.  If you believe you have been treated unfairly, you may request reconsideration of the award.
• What portion of the financial aid you receive is loan, and what portion is gift aid.  If there is a loan, you have the right to know what the interest rate is, the total amount that must be repaid , the repayment procedures, the length of time you have to repay the loan, and when repayment is to begin.
• How WVU 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 WVU before you enroll.
•   Complete all application forms accurately, and submit them on time to the right place.
•   Pay special attention to, and accurately complete your application for student financial aid. An error can result in delays.  Intentional mis-reporting of information on for federal financial aid purposes is a violation of law and is considered a criminal offense, subject to penalties under the U. S. Criminal Code.
•   Return any requested documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by the Financial Aid Office.
•   Read all forms that you are asked to sign, and keep copies of them.
•   Accept responsibility for any agreements you sign.
•   Notify the Financial Aid Office of changes in your name, address or enrollment status.  (Applies to loan recipients who leave WVU). 
•   Perform any work agreed upon when accepting Federal Work Study employment.
•   Know and comply with Financial Aid deadlines for application  or renewing aid.
•   Notify the Financial Aid Office in advance when your course load at the University will be less than full-time.  Failure to do so could cause a delay in receiving funds and/or create over-awards which would have to be repaid.
•   Notify the Financial Aid Office of any changes in your financial status.
•   Maintain satisfactory academic progress .  Withdrawing from WVU, or never attending classes can result in termination of financial aid, and may also involve partial or full repayment of disbursed aid for that semester.