Before the Start of a Term
Federal Financial Aid regulations are very strict concerning dropping classes after receiving Federal Aid. If a student receives a semester disbursement of aid and then drops all classes before the start of the first day of classes, the student will owe 100% repayment of aid immediately.
After the Start of a Term
Once classes begin for a semester and if a financial aid student drops all classes prior to the 60% mark of the term, the student will owe a repayment based on Federal regulation calculations called R2T4(Return of Title IV Funds). Once a student's repayment has been calculated, the student has 45 days to repay the funds. Federal Financial Aid regulations also state that a student may not pay a prior debt with future financial aid. This means that the student must repay the amount due prior to receiving future financial aid. Before dropping classes, visit the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships in University Hall and make an appointment with a Financial Aid advisor who will calculate a student's expected repayment of Federal Grant Funds and will explain options.
Requirements and Procedures for Officially Withdrawing or Term Withdrawal
Dropping down to zero units (or from all classes) is considered a withdrawal from the term and/or university. To read about the University’s policy, procedures and guidelines regarding term withdrawal, refer to Term Withdrawal for more details.
Withdrawing from a Class or the University
Students are required to follow the university's official withdrawal procedures. Failure to follow formal university procedures may result in an obligation to pay fees as well as the assignment of failing grades in all courses. After the census deadline, this process cannot be completed over MyCoyote. Students who receive financial aid funds must consult with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships prior to withdrawing because the amount of a grant or loan assistance received may be subject to return and/or repayment provisions. Refer to University’s withdrawal requirements and procedures at Withdrawing from a Class or the University.
Determining Date of Withdrawal
Approved Leave of Absence (LOA)
A Leave of Absence must meet certain conditions to be counted as a temporary interruption in a student’s education instead of being counted as a withdrawal requiring a school to perform a R2T4 calculation. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is not required to perform a R2T4 calculation when a student adheres to CSUSB’s Leave of Absence policy.
Unapproved Leave of Absence (LOA)
A Leave of Absence that does not meet all of the conditions for an approved Leave of Absence is considered a withdrawal for Title IV purposes. In these cases, a student’s withdrawal date at CSUSB will be considered the date a student begins the Leave of Absence.
Official Withdrawals (CSUSB not required to take attendance)
A student may provide official notification of intent to withdraw by following CSUSB’s withdrawal process. The last date of attendance is the date CSUSB Office of the Registrar receives an official withdrawal documentation.
Withdrawals Without Student Notification (Unofficial Withdrawals)
If a student fails to begin the withdrawal process or otherwise notify the school of the intent to withdraw due to illness, accident, grievous personal loss, or other circumstances beyond the student’s control, the withdrawal date shall be based on final grades for a term of either all WUs (Unofficial Withdrawals), all Fs (Failure) or a combination of both but not any other combinations that include grades of A, B, C, D, I, RD or their combinations.
Withdrawal Date When a Student Dies
If a student dies within a term, the last date of attendance shall be the date of the student’s death. If the R2T4 indicates that CSUSB is required to return Title IV funds, then it will return the funds for which it is responsible. The student’s estate is not required to return any Title IV funds, and CSUSB will neither report a grant overpayment for a deceased student to NSLDS, nor refer a grant overpayment for a deceased student to Debt Resolution Services.
Discharge provisions for a borrower’s obligation to repay a Federal Direct or Federal Perkins Loan (including a PLUS loan borrower’s obligation to repay and Direct PLUS loan if the student on whose behalf the parent borrowed dies).
Treatment of Funds Undisbursed at time of Withdrawal
If you withdraw after classes begin and you are scheduled to receive undisbursed federal aid, before making a disbursement of Title IV grant or loan, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will calculate the earned portion.