Student Loans: National University's Refund Policy Explained

does national university refund rest of your student loans

National University offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid to help students reduce their financial burden. Students may apply for financial aid to cover educational expenses for an academic year. Student loan recipients may also apply for an additional loan upon successful completion of all courses in the prior loan period. If a student withdraws from the university, a calculation must be performed to identify the total scheduled financial assistance the student earned and is entitled to receive. If more financial aid is received than earned, the unearned funds must be returned to the Department of Education or the lender. The university shares the responsibility of returning excess funds. Refunds are automatically processed twice a week, and students are encouraged to enroll in direct deposit to receive their refunds within 3 to 5 business days.

shunstudent

Student withdrawal and refunds

The withdrawal and refund policies for students at National University are in accordance with Federal regulations. A student is considered "withdrawn" if they are not in attendance for 45 consecutive days, unless on an approved Leave of Absence (LOA). This refund policy governs all Federal grant and loan programs, including Federal Pell Grants, Federal SEOG, Federal Perkins Loans, and all Federal Direct Loans.

If a student is considered withdrawn, a calculation must be performed to identify the total scheduled financial assistance they are entitled to receive. If more financial aid is received than earned, the unearned funds must be returned to the Department of Education or the appropriate lender. The portion of Federal grants and loans that a student is entitled to receive is calculated based on the percentage of the payment period completed before withdrawal.

Once 60% of the payment period has been completed, 100% of the financial aid award for that period is considered earned. If a student withdraws before completing 60% of the payment period, they may have to repay unearned Federal funds already disbursed. In such cases, the University is responsible for returning excess funds, and the student will be billed accordingly. Any loan funds that a student is required to return must be repaid according to the terms of the promissory note, while grant funds are reduced by 50%.

Students who drop their entire academic program during or after the change of the program period may be charged a withdrawal fee. Refunds are granted only when students withdraw by dropping all courses in a given session. The University retains a percentage of the remaining tuition fees for each week or part of a week that the student remains registered. Students who fail to attend classes without officially withdrawing may receive a grade of UW (Unofficial Withdrawal) and be charged full tuition.

shunstudent

Student loan eligibility

Federal Student Loans:

  • Citizenship: The borrower must be a US citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen. For Federal Parent PLUS loans, the student must satisfy the citizenship criteria.
  • Age: There is no minimum age requirement for federal student loans. However, the borrower must be their state's age of majority, typically 18.
  • Academic Progress: Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress, usually a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Enrollment Status: Most lenders require at least half-time enrollment in an eligible degree program at a qualifying institution.
  • Financial Need: Eligibility for subsidized loans depends on the student's financial need. The university may use established budgets to determine financial need.
  • Federal Loan Forgiveness: Students may be eligible for loan forgiveness through federal programs, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), after meeting certain requirements.
  • FAFSA: Students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as a first step to qualify for federal aid.
  • Selective Service Registration: Male students must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • Creditworthiness: Eligibility for Federal Stafford loans does not depend on the borrower's credit history. However, the borrower of a Federal PLUS loan must have good credit.

Private Student Loans:

  • Citizenship and Residency: The borrower must be a US citizen or permanent resident for most private student loans.
  • Age: The borrower must be at least the age of majority in their state of residence.
  • Enrollment Status: Private lenders often require at least half-time enrollment in an eligible school, typically a Title IV-accredited four-year degree-granting program.
  • Creditworthiness: Private lenders often require good credit. The loan application may consider the borrower's credit score, annual income, debt-to-income ratio, and employment history.
  • Social Security Number: Lenders often require a Social Security number or Individual Tax Identification Number to apply.

It is important to note that eligibility criteria may vary among lenders and loan programs, so it is always best to check with the specific lender or university for their requirements. Additionally, students should be aware of the refund and repayment policies associated with their student loans to avoid any unexpected financial obligations.

shunstudent

Student loan disbursements

Federal student loan disbursements usually occur after classes have started, typically between 10 to 30 days after. They are generally disbursed in two or more instalments to cover a full academic year. On the other hand, private student loan disbursements vary depending on the lender. They usually take place at the beginning of the school term but can be influenced by application approval timing.

National University (NU) offers a range of scholarships to reduce the financial burden on students. Students can determine their eligibility for financial aid by checking if they meet the conditions to apply as an independent student. Transfer students may be eligible for federal and state grants and federal loans, depending on the aid received in the current academic year from another institution. NU uses the budgets established by the California Student Aid Commission to determine financial need.

The university has a refund policy for students who withdraw or drop courses. If a student is considered withdrawn, a calculation is performed to determine the financial assistance earned and owed. Any unearned funds must be returned to the Department of Education or the lender, and the student may need to repay a portion of the funds. Similarly, if a student drops a course, their account may be credited with a prorated tuition refund.

shunstudent

Student loan repayment

Firstly, it is essential to understand the difference between loan disbursements and refunds. Loan disbursements refer to the release of student loan funds to cover educational expenses for an academic year. National University outlines specific requirements for loan disbursements. For instance, students must successfully complete their first payment period before loan funds are released for the second period. Additionally, transfer students may be eligible for Federal Grants, State Grants, and Federal loans, depending on their previous aid received.

Now, let's discuss student loan repayment. At National University, students are responsible for repaying their student loans under certain circumstances. One critical factor is the student's enrolment status. If a student withdraws from the University or drops courses, it can trigger a refund policy. According to federal regulations, a student is considered "withdrawn" if they are not in attendance for 45 consecutive days, unless on an approved Leave of Absence (LOA). In such cases, a calculation is performed to determine the portion of financial assistance earned by the student. If the student has received more financial aid than earned, the unearned funds must be returned to the Department of Education or the lender. Conversely, if the student has received less financial aid than earned, they may be eligible to receive additional funds.

It is important to note that loan disbursements are typically made for a specific period, known as the payment period. If a student withdraws before completing 60% of the payment period, they may be required to repay any unearned Federal funds that were disbursed. This includes Federal grants and loans, such as the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, and Federal Direct Loans. The refund calculation will determine the amount to be returned by the University and the student. Any loan funds that a student needs to repay are subject to the terms of the promissory note.

To ensure a smooth repayment process, National University provides various resources and support services for students. Students can seek guidance from the Financial Aid Office, which can assist with financial planning and loan-related inquiries. Additionally, the University offers a range of scholarships to help reduce the financial burden on students. It is recommended that students stay in contact with the relevant departments and stay informed about their loan status and any updates to University policies.

shunstudent

Student loan applications

The first step in applying for federal student aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This forms a key part of the federal student aid application procedure and is widely accepted by two and four-year colleges, universities, and career schools. By completing the FAFSA, you are not only applying for federal aid but also potentially unlocking additional financial assistance from your state or school. The FAFSA deadline is the end of June of the academic year in question, although it is available from 1 October, and submitting it as soon as possible can increase your chances of receiving priority consideration for aid. After submitting, you will receive a Student Aid Report detailing the types of federal loans available to you and the amounts you can borrow.

Once you have chosen the best financial aid package for your needs, you will need to complete entrance counselling to ensure you understand the terms and conditions of your loan, as well as your rights and responsibilities. You will then sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN), a legally binding document outlining the terms and conditions of your loan.

If you are applying for private student loans, the process is different. You will need to shop around for the right private student loan lender and complete and submit your loan applications. Private student loans do not have rigid timelines, but you should give yourself enough time, applying at least 45 to 60 days before you need the loan to allow for processing time. As part of the application, you will undergo a credit check, and if you don’t have an established credit history or have a low credit score, adding a creditworthy cosigner may increase your chances of loan approval and help you get a lower interest rate. If you accept a private student loan, you will need to sign a promissory note, agreeing to the terms and conditions of the loan.

It is important to note that student loan recipients may apply for additional loans upon successful completion of all courses in the prior loan period. Additionally, demonstrating financial need is required for some types of aid, such as Direct Subsidized Loans. National University (NU) offers various scholarships to help students reduce their financial burden, and transfer students may be eligible for Federal Grants, State Grants, and Federal loans depending on previous aid received.

Frequently asked questions

A student’s account may be credited a pro-rated tuition refund depending on the drop or withdrawal date. Any credit on an account due to a dropped course or withdrawal will be refunded back to the Direct Loans.

If the refund calculation determines that the University is not required to return all of the excess funds, the student must return the remaining amount. Any loan funds that a student is required to return must be repaid according to the terms of the promissory note.

Based on National University policies, a student is considered "withdrawn" if not in attendance for 45 consecutive days, unless they are on an approved Leave of Absence (LOA). The portion of Federal grants and loans that a student is entitled to receive is calculated on a percentage basis.

If the credit balance in your account resulted from a Parent PLUS Loan, the funds will be automatically refunded to the borrower. Any additional credit not from this loan will be refunded to the student.

Students are encouraged to enroll in direct deposit to receive their refunds within 3 to 5 business days. If you are not enrolled in direct deposit, your check will be mailed directly to you, which may take up to 10 to 14 business days.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment