Withdrawal & Your Financial Aid

Federal policy assumes that federal financial aid is based on the period of time enrolled. If you withdraw from DCC prior to the eleventh week of classes having elapsed, the federal government does not view you as having “earned” all of the funds awarded.

In that instance, DCC is required to return the “unearned” portion of the aid to the government. DCC bears potential liability for any federal aid disbursed to students before the ninth week of classes.

While DCC makes an attempt to disburse aid at the earliest possible time, we must be fiscally prudent in making disbursements.

Federal regulations govern the return of Title IV funds (Federal Direct Student Loans, Pell, FSEOG) if you completely withdraw from Dutchess prior to completing 60% of the semester:

• The percentage of the period that you remain enrolled is determined by dividing the number of days you attended by the number of days in the semester.
• Calendar days are used, but breaks of at least five days are excluded.
• In the case of “aid not earned” in federally funded grants or scholarships, you are expected to repay the “unearned” portion to DCC. Failure to do so will result in your ineligibility to receive further federal financial aid.

This policy is based on 34 CFR, Section 668.22 of Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

Depending on your current Satisfactory Academic Progress Status, your eligibility for aid may be suspended in future semesters.

VIEW YOUR STATUS IN MYDCC

• Your federal Direct Student Loans will go into repayment status in six months from your withdrawal date unless you have already used up your grace period.
• If you have already used the grace period, repayment will begin immediately.
• Your future eligibility for loans is determined by your Satisfactory Academic Progress Status.

• If you were eligible for state aid (TAP, Part time TAP, or APTS) before withdrawing, you may still receive that funding for the current semester. Your TAP award will be based on your tuition charge.
• If you withdraw, you will lose your eligibility for a state award for the following semester.
• New York State requires you to make academic progress toward a degree in each term for which an award is received. If you withdraw, you do not make academic progress.

If you were issued a refund from DCC prior to withdrawing, you may be required to return some or all of that refund once the Title IV recalculation is completed.