Purdue University Northwest / Financial Aid / Resources / Withdrawing from Classes

Withdrawing from Classes

Sometimes unexpected events occur which may cause a need to withdraw from classes at Purdue University Northwest. Federal regulation requires financial aid to be awarded under the assumption that a student will attend the entire aid period. Withdrawing from a class may result in a student having to return funds to the aid program, or to the university. We encourage you to read all the information below before deciding to withdraw from a class.

  • Keep in mind that withdrawing from a class may affect your financial aid eligibility – talk to Financial Aid before you withdraw
  • Repayment of Federal Direct loans begins once you graduate, drop below half-time or leave school after your grace period
    • Half-time enrollment is at least 6 credit hours for undergraduate students and at least 4 credit hours for most graduate students
  • While your aid is a factor, it is not the only factor – talk to your Instructor(s) and your Academic Advisor before you withdraw as well
    • Another solution may be available; one that may not require you to withdraw

Important: Purdue University Northwest’s tuition and fee refund policy is separate from the federal regulation to repay unearned financial aid. Whether or not you receive a tuition and fee refund has no bearing on the amount you must repay to the federal aid programs. Additional information on Refunds and Deadlines is available on the Bursar’s website.

Failure to Begin Attendance

If a student receives financial aid, but never begins attending classes, the Office of Financial Aid must return all disbursed funds to the respective federal, state, and institutional aid programs.

Frank O’Bannon Grant and Twenty First Century Scholars Award

If you withdraw and/or fall below full-time (12 or more credit hours each semester) status at any time between the first day of classes and the state aid census date (around the fourth week of classes), you will lose your eligibility and may owe monies back to the University.

Additional information on Frank O’Bannon Grant and Twenty First Century Scholars Award requirements is available on the Grants web page.

Federal Financial Aid (Title IV Federal Funds)

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grant amounts are based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and your enrollment — full-time (12 or more credit hours), ¾ time (9-11 credit hours), half-time (6-8 credit hours), or less than half-time (1-5 credit hours)  — check Important Dates and Deadlines for the fall and spring financial aid census dates. (e.g. if you initially enroll full-time but withdraw to half-time prior to the financial aid census date, your Pell award will be adjusted downward to reflect half-time enrollment status.)

If you receive a Pell Grant payment for classes you have never attended, you must return the payment immediately to Purdue University Northwest.

If you completely withdraw from classes before the semester is over, Purdue University Northwest will determine how much of your Pell Grant you are entitled to keep in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education’s Return of Title IV Funds Policy.

Federal Direct Loans

You must be enrolled at least half-time (6-8 credit hours for an undergraduate; graduate students should check with the Office of Financial Aid) to receive Federal Direct Loans.

If you initially enroll at least half-time but withdraw to less than half-time prior to the financial aid census date, you may not receive payment of these funds. If you receive a loan payment for classes you have not attended, you must return the payments immediately to Purdue University Northwest. If you completely withdraw from classes before the semester is over, Purdue University Northwest will determine how much of your Federal Direct Loans you are entitled to keep in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education’s Return of Title IV Funds policy.

If you received federal student loans, your grace period will begin the day you cease to be enrolled at least half-time. If you have not returned to school on at least a half-time basis before your grace period has expired your loans enter repayment.

Federal Campus-Based Aid

Federal Campus Based Aid includes Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and Federal Work Study (FWS). A limited allocation of these Federal funds are available for awarding each aid year.

  • FSEOG recipients must have exceptional financial need and must also receive Federal Pell Grant
    • Priority awarding is given to students who are enrolled at least half-time
  • FWS recipients must have financial need
    • Priority awarding is given to students who are enrolled at least half-time

Students must be enrolled at least half-time at the financial aid census date. If you initially enroll at least half-time but withdraw to less than half-time prior to the financial aid census date, you may not receive payment of these funds. If you receive a grant payment for classes you have not attended, you must return the payments immediately to Purdue University Northwest. If you completely withdraw from classes before the semester is over, Purdue University Northwest will determine how much of these Title IV Funds you are entitled to keep in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education’s Return of Title IV Funds policy.

Students in the FWS program must stop working as a FWS student from the day you cease to be enrolled. You do not have to repay any monies you have already earned. Discuss with your hiring department as to whether they are able to continue your employment as a regular student employee.

All course withdrawals recorded on your permanent record may affect your eligibility to meet Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements and could result in a loss of Federal and State financial aid eligibility.

Admissions Scholarships

To receive these funds you must be enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours) as of the financial aid census date. If you initially enroll full-time but withdraw to less than full-time prior to the financial aid census date, you may not receive payment of these funds. To receive these funds for subsequent semesters, you must maintain full-time enrollment throughout the semester and meet all other eligibility criteria.

Scholarships from the Office of Admissions

Honors Scholarships

To receive these funds you must be enrolled in 15 or more credit hours as of the financial aid census date. If you initially enroll in 15 or more credit hours but withdraw to less than 15 or more credit hours prior to the financial aid census date, you may not receive payments of these funds. To receive these funds for subsequent semesters, you must maintain 15 or more credit hours throughout the semester and meet all other eligibility criteria.

Adjustments to Cost of Attendance

Withdrawals prior to the financial aid census date may result in a change to your Cost of Attendance which may then affect your overall financial aid eligibility. If an over award is created as a result of your withdrawal, you may be required to return funds to the University.