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. (See Types of Aid at WVU.)
• The deadlines for submitting applications for financial aid programs. (See Financial Aid Timeline)
• 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.
• 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.