Financial Aid Rights & Responsibilities

As a financial aid recipient, your rights include*:

• You have the right to have your eligibility for financial aid determined in an equitable manner consistent with federal regulations and university policies.
• You have the right to know that the information you give to the Student Financial Aid Office be treated confidentially as mandated by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• You have the right to seek financial aid counseling.
• You have the right to know what financial assistance is available, including all federal, state and institutional aid  programs.
• You have the right to know the procedures and deadlines for submitting applications for each financial aid program including federal, state and institutional programs.
• You have the right to know how financial aid funds will be distributed or disbursed.
• You have the right to accept or decline any of your financial aid offer(s).
• You have the right to know the terms of any employment program you participate in.
• If you are offered an educational loan, you have the right to know the lender, interest rate, the total amount to be repaid, deferment options, repayment procedures, the length of time you have to repay the loan and when repayment begins.
• You have the right to submit a Special Circumstances Appeal, requesting reconsideration of yoru financial aid eligibility if you or your family's circumstances change.
• You have the right to submit an Academic Progress Appeal if you do not meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• You have the right to know Bethel University's refund policy and the federal Return to Title IV policy.
• Expect notification of your financial aid offer and any adjustments to it.

As a financial aid recipient, you are responsible for*:

• Seeing a financial aid counselor if you withdraw from school.
• Supplying complete and accurate information on which we base your eligibility for aid.
• Using the aid offered for educaitonally related expenses as defined in the estimated student expenses.
• Complete federal entrance counseling and MPN requirements before you receive your first loan disbursement.
• Reporting additional sources of financial assistance such as scholarships, stipends and tuition waivers.
• Maintaining the same enrollment level throughout the term.
• Reporting any change in your status, including informing the university and your loan servicer of changes in your name, address, social security number and graduation date. You must notify your loan servicer if you transfer to another school, withdraw from school or drop below half-time enrollment in any term.
• Completing exit counseling about loan repayment when you graduate or leave the university.
• The repayment of your federal and/or Private loans.
• Reporting any portion of grants and scholarships that exceed tuition, fees, books and supplies as taxable income when filing your tax return.

*Please note these rights and responsibilities are not intended to be an exhaustive list.