Enrollment Affects Your Financial Aid Award
Awards issued prior to the start of the academic year are based on full-time enrollment (12 credits undergraduate/9 credits graduate-level). Many financial aid programs are available to students enrolled at least half-time. Some awards may be reduced or cancelled based on your enrollment status. Each semester, prior to releasing financial aid funds, the Financial Aid Office compares your award to your enrollment. If you fail to meet the enrollment criteria for an award, the Financial Aid Office will re-evaluate your eligibility and revise the award accordingly. Failure to meet any of the award conditions may delay the release of funds.

Please check the Financial Aid Award Enrollment Chart on the web at www.fiu.edu/orgs/finaid/awardenrollment.htm . The chart shows the maximum award amounts (per semester) per enrollment status for specific programs.

Required Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require the University to establish Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress as a general eligibility requirement for financial assistance. You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress regardless of whether you previously received financial aid at the University. Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed annually at the end of the Spring semester and at the end of each semester for students on financial aid probation. The federal criteria require that you maintain:

• a minimum grade point average,
• complete a minimum number of credits each term you are enrolled,
• and limits the time-frame for receipt of aid in relation to your degree requirement.

All courses taken will be counted in reviewing eligibility requirements for financial assistance.  Failure to meet the requirements of the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress and academic good standing will result in the suspension of financial aid eligibility.

View this link for detailed Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements including Treatment of Punitive and Non-Punitive Grades and Courses and the Appeal Process: http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/finaid/05-06sap.htm

Federal Policy for Dropping/Withdrawing
The funds you are awarded are intended to help meet your cost of attendance while enrolled at the University. Federal regulations mandate that you repay a portion or all the aid paid to you, if you withdraw, (officially or unofficially) who stop attending classes prior to completing 60% of your enrollment period (typically a semester). The “Return to Title IV Funds” Policy includes the following financial aid programs: Pell, SEOG, Perkins Loan, Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and PLUS Loans. The amount of aid to be returned is based on a formula established by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to repay funds due to a federal program may affect future eligibility for aid at FIU or any other institution you may attend after leaving FIU.

If you are entitled to a refund of your tuition, all or part of the refund may be applied to the financial aid fund from which your aid was awarded. You should consult with a Financial Aid Administrator prior to dropping/withdrawing to determine your potential liability. For specific information on the University’s Dropping & Withdrawing policy refer to the University Catalog link on- line at www.fiu.edu/orgs/register.

Changes in Circumstances
You are required to report changes in circumstances that may affect your eligibility for financial assistance (e.g. receipt of additional assistance, loss of employment, etc.).  Your eligibility will be reassessed and a revised award letter may be issued to reflect the appropriate changes.

Concurrent Enrollment
If you must enroll for classes at either Broward Community College or Miami Dade College while enrolled less than full-time at FIU, the courses you take at the other institution may be counted in the calculation of your financial aid eligibility. You must complete a “Concurrent Enrollment Form” available at Financial Aid Office webpage listed under the REQUIRED forms link. You should submit it by 5 working days prior to the last day to pay fees for the semester you plan to be concurrently enrolled. Only course work acceptable as transfer credits towards completion of a Bachelor’s degree at FIU and approved by an academic advisor will be considered. The only awards eligible for an adjustment as a result of the Concurrent Enrollment are the Pell Grant, Florida Student Assistant Grant(FSAG), Bright Futures Scholarships and the Federal Stafford Loan. All other aid is based solely on your enrollment status at FIU.

Making Corrections on your SAR
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE CORRECTIONS TO YOUR SAR (Student Aid Report) after receiving your award without consulting a Financial Aid Administrator. If your personal or financial circumstances change and you feel that your eligibility for assistance may be affected, consult with a Financial Aid Administrator to determine if you meet the conditions for submitting a correction to the federal processor. Any corrections you make may jeopardize your eligibility and/or delay financial aid disbursements.

Fall 2006 Anticipated Graduates
If you plan to graduate in December, 2006 and you have been awarded aid for the regular academic year (Fall and Spring), notify the Financial Aid Office of your anticipated graduation date before the end of your graduating semester. If you are admitted into another degree program and plan to enroll for Spring 2007, please notify our Office immediately, so we can re-evaluate your financial need. Students classified as Non-degree Status do not qualify for assistance. The financial aid you have been awarded to pursue your first undergraduate degree cannot be used towards graduate school or a second bachelor’s degree. Most grants and scholarships awarded to Undergraduate students are not available towards a Graduate education.