RETURN OF FEDERAL AID PROCEDURE

The Financial Aid Office is required to determine the amount of Federal Aid that was "earned" during a payment period or period of enrollment when the student has withdrawn from all classes or failed to earn a passing grade in at least one course. A Return of Title IV calculation determines the amount of "unearned" Federal Aid that the school and/or student must return to the Department of Education. Any amount of "unearned" Federal Aid returned by the school will be credited against the student’s total liability and the student will owe the school. Federal Aid includes the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and Federal Direct Loans.

All withdrawals, F, U and/or I grades will be calculated at the mid-point of the payment period or period of enrollment.

Students who complete more than 60% of the payment period or period of enrollment are considered to have "earned" 100% of the Federal Aid for the term or payment period and will not be required to return any Federal Aid.

Students whose Federal Aid was not disbursed prior to a withdrawal may be eligible to receive a post-withdrawal disbursement (PWD). In order to be eligible for a PWD, the student must have completed all requirements and been determined eligible for the disbursement. Please see "Post-Withdrawal Disbursements" below for more information.

Return of Title IV Calculations 

​If a student officially withdraws, then the institution will use that date to determine the refund calculation and the amount of aid earned.

Resource: Sample Return of Federal Aid Calculation - Official Withdrawals

If a student un​officially withdraws before completing 60% of the payment period or period of enrollment and fails to earn a passing grade in at least one course offered over an entire period, then that student is considered to have unofficially withdrawn. If the student is considered to unofficially withdraw from the payment period or period of enrollment, then this institution will use the midpoint (50%) of the payment period or period of enrollment to determine the amount of aid earned.

Resource: Sample Return of Federal Aid Calculation - Unofficial Withdrawals

Post-withdrawal disbursements of Federal Aid are made to eligible students that have withdrawn and/or received failing grades. Courses that are not required for degree completion will not be considered for Federal Aid and will be excluded from the calculation of eligibility. All eligibility will be calculated at the payment period or period of enrollment.

Students eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement will receive email notification including a copy of the Return of Title IV calculation, from the Financial Aid Office. There is no action required for the disbursement of Federal Grants. However, students eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement of a Federal Direct Loan must reply with their acceptance within 14 days of the date of notification or the loan will be cancelled. There are no exceptions to this deadline.

If verification documents are pending for a student eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement, the student will receive an email notification. Verification documents must be submitted within 5 business days or the award will be cancelled. There are no exceptions to this deadline.

Post-withdrawal disbursements will be completed no later than 45 days after the date that Broward College has determined that the student withdrew.

Resource: Sample Return of Federal Aid Calculation - Post Withdrawal Disbursements

Students who have attended past the midpoint (50%) of the term or payment period and "earned" an F and/or U grade may take action to reclaim Federal Aid determined "unearned" as a result of the Return of Title IV calculation. Instructors may provide academically related documentation for any F and/or U grade to prove an "earned" grade. Academically related documentation may include the last test or assignment that was completed which must include the date of completion. The student should request that one instructor submit the documentation along with an affidavit confirming the earned grade to WHC-R2T4@broward.edu. This documentation must be submitted by the instructor within 14 days of the notification received by the student.

Once the documentation has been submitted by the instructor, the Financial Aid Office will determine if the F and/or U grade was an "earned" grade within 30 days. If the grade was "earned," the Financial Aid Office may make an adjustment to the Return of Title IV calculation. If the adjustment results in an increase in Financial Aid eligibility, the additional funds will be awarded and disbursed. These funds will be used to satisfy any financial obligation to the college and any remaining funds will be issued to the student in the form of a check.