Deadlines & News Items

New Ruling on Federal Aid: Don’t Drop Out

What’s the new rule?

As of July 2000, students who withdraw from college will be required to pay back half of their unused federal-aid funds, such as the Pell Grant. A hypothetical case:

If you use $1000 of a federal grant for tuition and drop out one-fourth of the way through the semester, you have only "earned" 25 percent of your grant. The college is required to return all of your "unearned " aid that went toward tuition, which is 75 percent or $750. You must pay back 50 percent of that "unearned" $750, which amounts to $375 to the federal government.

What’s the bottom line?

If at all possible, stay in school. Not only will you be able to continue your education, you can also avoid having to pay anything back to the government. You may contact the Controller’s Office at (208) 792-2202 or the Financial Aid Office at (208) 792-2224. If you are out of the area, please call 1-800-933-5272, ext. 2202 or ext. 2224 respectively.


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REFUND OF TUITION AND FEES

The refund policy is subject to change without prior notice. Notifications of withdrawal and requests for refunds must be in writing. Refunds are processed upon the completion of the withdrawal process. Students who withdraw from college in accordance with the rules governing withdrawals are entitled to the following refund of registration and tuition fees as established by the institution and federal regulations regarding Title IV federal financial aid. Failure to initiate and/or complete the withdrawal process from college will result in zero refund.

Federal regulations regarding Title IV federal financial aid take precedent over institutional policy for refunds to recipients of Title IV financial aid. If Title IV funds are involved and a student fails to withdraw from college and fails to complete any credits, the student will be responsible to pay LCSC within 30 days the amount returned by LCSC under the Return of Title IV Funds federal regulations.

Refunds are based on a 16-week semester, contingent upon payment in full prior to termination.

When withdrawal is completed on or before the first day of the semester, 100% of the registration and tuition fees will be refunded. If withdrawal is completed after the semester has begun, the following schedule applies:

Week Refund %

1 90%

2 80%

3 80%

4 70%

5 60%

6 60%

7 50%

8 50%

9 40%

10 0%

All refunds will be less an administrative fee equal to 5% of registration fees and tuition or $100, whichever is less.

Admission fees and application fees are not refundable.
Course fees, program fees and laboratory fees are refundable within the first five (5) days of each semester. On day six (6) and thereafter, course fees, program fees and laboratory fees are not refundable.
Refunds of less than $10.00 will not be processed unless financial aid funds are involved.

For students who have NOT received federal financial aid, refunds are presented to their funding agency, if applicable, and then to the student. For recipients of financial aid, refunds are distributed in the following order based upon Return of Title IV Funds regulations:


1) Unsubsidized FFEL/Direct Stafford Loan

2) Subsidized FFEL/Direct Stafford Loan

3) Federal Perkins Loan

4) FFEL/Direct PLUS Loan

5) Federal Pell Grant

6) Federal SEOG

7) Other Student Title IV Aid Programs


Students who withdraw from school and whose financial aid disbursements exceed the amount of Title IV aid earned during their enrollment period WILL be required to repay a portion of their Title IV financial aid. Additional information is available in the Controller’s Office.