Financial Aid

Paying for college is an important investment in your future; the Office of Student Financial Aid is here to assist you through the process. Chicago State University’s Office of Student Financial Aid is your guide and your resource tool for assistance in finding financial assistance to make college affordable. When you have questions, we are here to help you find the answers! Each year CSU’s Office of Student Financial Aid works with students and their families to help make their education more affordable. We assist families with the financial aid application process and work with them to identify grants, loans, and scholarship opportunities. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your individual circumstances and what financial aid resources may be available to make a CSU education within your reach.

Financial Aid Basics

“Financial aid” is a broad term that encompasses a variety of options including: gift aid that does not require repayment, loans that must be repaid, and student employment known as work-study.

Students are automatically considered for most of these types of aid when the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been completed. You can complete the FAFSA at: www.fafsa.gov . We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA early.

Beginning October 1st of each year, students may complete the FAFSA for the new award year that begins July 1st of the following calendar year. Example: Students may file the FAFSA for the 2023-2024 academic year beginning October 1, 2022. The final date to submit a FAFSA for the 2023-2024 academic year is June 30, 2023.

Students who are residents of the state of Illinois but are not eligible to complete the FAFSA (i.e., undocumented students) can complete the Alternative Application to determine eligibility for state funding only (i.e., MAP Grant, AIM HIGH). The Alternative Application is available at isac.org. Students may file the Alternative Application for the 2023-2024 academic year beginning October 1, 2022. The final date to submit the Alternative Application for the 2023-2024 academic year is June 30, 2023.

Once your application has been processed by the U.S. Department of Education or the Illinois Student Aid Commission, the Financial Aid Office reviews the information. Your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), which is the ability of you and your family to contribute to your education, determines the amount of aid for which you are eligible. Your EFC is determined by the U.S. Department of Education from the information provided by you on your FAFSA. In addition to the EFC, an estimate of your educational costs according to your program of study, anticipated enrollment level and housing plans is reviewed. The difference between your educational costs and your EFC is your financial need. You will receive a financial aid award notice, which includes your financial aid award package and directions on how to accept or decline your awards. New and continuing students can access their financial aid award package by logging on to CSU X-press. Prospective students will receive instructions for how to access their financial aid information upon receipt of their FAFSA information. Award packages will include financial aid programs for which you have eligibility. It is important that you go online to accept the financial aid awards that you wish to receive.

FAFSA results are reviewed, and financial aid award packages created in March for the academic year that begins in August. The review/award process continues throughout the academic year. If you have questions about your status, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 773-995-2304 or via email at csu-finaid@csu.edu. If during the review process it is determined that additional information is required, you will be notified via your CSU email account, if you are a continuing student. If you are a new or prospective student and have not been assigned a CSU email account, you will be notified via the email address you used on your FAFSA. In the absence of any email account, we will notify you via U.S. Mail.

Applying for Aid

All prospective, newly admitted and continuing students are encouraged to file a FAFSA on or very soon after October 1st of each year for the upcoming school year. Students who apply early increase their opportunity of obtaining funding from financial aid sources which award until all funds are exhausted.

Newly admitted and continuing students who completed their FAFSA will receive a financial aid package based on the information from their FAFSA and current academic standing at CSU.

Prospective students who have not been admitted to CSU and who complete a FAFSA will have a financial aid award package prepared based on the anticipated academic standing information indicated on the FAFSA. Please note, that if the anticipated academic standing reflected on your FAFSA should differ from the standing after admittance to CSU, the financial aid award package may need to be adjusted. Students will be notified via email if adjustments occur.

Eligibility Requirements

Financial aid applicants must meet the federal eligibility requirements for aid, and if asked, provide documents as needed to support eligibility:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• You must be accepted and currently active in an eligible degree program.
• For most financial aid programs, and for loan deferment, you must enroll in your program at least half-time - that is, at least a minimum of six credit hours per semester for undergraduate students. Your classes must be taken for credit. Students who are in an “At-Large” status are not eligible for financial aid programs. However, “At-Large” students may be eligible for Private (Alternative) Educational Loans, at the discretion of a lender.
• You must be in satisfactory academic standing and making academic progress in your course of study.
• You must not be in default on any federal loan or owe a repayment on any federal grant.

For complete information regarding federal eligibility requirements Federal Student Aid website.

Verification

The U.S. Department of Education requires that CSU verify FAFSA information for a group of students they select each year. If you are selected for verification, we will ask you to document your income and submit other verification items as needed. Outstanding student requirements needed for verification are reflected in CSU X-press. Please submit required documents as soon as possible after notification.

Special Circumstances

Generally, financial aid eligibility is based on a previous year’s income information. If your financial situation has changed substantially during the year or since completing the FAFSA or if you have been negatively impacted by the pandemic, you can contact the Office of Student Financial Aid to request a reevaluation of your financial need. Circumstances that can be considered include but are not limited to the following:

• Loss of income (wages, benefits) because of unemployment (job loss, employment change) or change in your or your parents’ marital status.
• High unreimbursed medical and/or dental expenses.
• Higher cost of attendance due to specific circumstances, including childcare costs.

Important Dates

Many financial aid programs are awarded until all funds are exhausted. You can help maximize your opportunity to be considered for funds by filing your FAFSA as soon as possible on or after October 1st of each year.

The State of Illinois announces a MAP suspension date each year. Students who did not complete their FAFSA or Alternative Application on or prior to the suspense date may not be eligible for MAP funds. At the time of publication, a suspension date has not yet been announced for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Notifications

Throughout the financial aid process the Office of Student Financial Aid will e-mail you to notify you of the status of your application and awards. Once you have been admitted to the university all notifications will be sent to your CSU e-mail address. Prior to admission, we will utilize the address you use on your FAFSA.

There will be instances when we send paper notifications to your home mailing address. To assure prompt delivery of your information, please ensure that your mailing address is kept current in CSU X-press.

Financial Aid Policy Regarding Repeat Coursework

Effective July 1, 2011, per federal regulations (34 CFR Section 668.2), repeated coursework that falls under the following conditions cannot be included in a student’s enrollment status for Title IV Federal Aid eligibility, including the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Stafford Loans:

• Repeating a previously passed course more than once. A course is considered passed if the student receives a grade of D or better.
• Repeating a previously passed course due to failing other coursework.

Federal Title IV aid will be recalculated based on the student’s adjusted enrollment status. This recalculation will be applied regardless of whether a student received aid for previous course enrollments.

The policy for repeat coursework only applies to undergraduate students.

Please refer to the university policy as some courses are repeatable per university policy and are not restricted by these regulations. Students receiving Title IV aid will be notified if they are enrolled in non-repeatable coursework for a term via their CSU express account.

Types of Aid

Financial aid is usually grouped into two main categories:

• Gift aid is financial assistance that does not have to be repaid. It includes need-based federal, state and institutional grants, all scholarships, veteran’s educational benefits and employer tuition reimbursement.
• Self-help aid refers to educational loans or student employment. It includes both student and parent federal loans, alternative loans (from private lenders, banks or guarantee agencies), federal work-study and assistantships.

Federal Awards and Loans

Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program: By completing a financial aid application (FAFSA), the student will be considered for the Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program. This loan is commonly referred to as the Federal Direct Loan Program. There are two types of Federal Direct Stafford Loans for students who meet all federal eligibility requirements: the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan (available to undergraduates only), and the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (available to both undergraduates and graduates).

Federal Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan (undergraduates only):

A student’s eligibility for the Direct Subsidized is based on their financial need and their undergraduate academic level. Repayment is deferred until six months after graduation or enrollment ceases, or enrollment is less than half-time. While students are enrolled at an eligible Institution, the government pays the interest on the loan. Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan maximums vary according to academic level. In addition, there are lifetime loan limits.

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan (undergraduates and graduates):

Student’s eligibility for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not based on financial need. A student may borrow the cost of education minus all other financial aid you receive, up to the Direct Loan maximum for the academic level. The interest on the Unsubsidized Direct Loan accrues from the date of disbursement. Students have two choices for paying interest: pay it while still enrolled as a student or it can accrue and become part of the principal that will be owed. The student is required to begin making payments six months after graduation; or when enrollment ceases for more than six months; or when enrollment is less than half-time for more than six months.

Federal Work Study

The Federal Work-Study Program is a need-based, federally funded, part-time employment program. Students must be in good academic standing in order to be considered for a work-study position and must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA for continued eligibility. Salaries are paid by Federal funds. The amount of a student’s Federal work-study eligibility is based on the student’s financial need. When accepting a Federal work-study award, it is the student’s responsibility to seek employment through the job portal located at csu.edu.

Please note that work-study dollars are paid directly to the student for hours worked; funds are not credited to the student’s account. The hourly rate of pay will be based on the requirements of the job and on university pay scales but will not be less than the state minimum wage. Students are required to submit time via webtime entry for hours worked. Students are paid on the 15th and the last day of the month.

Grants

Grants are funds that do not need to be repaid. Grants are awarded based on financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Grants are credited directly to the student’s account during each semester for which the student has been awarded funds. The funds are first applied against any amounts owed the university.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Students are automatically considered for it when a FAFSA is completed. The maximum award amount varies annually according to an appropriation from Congress. Pell Grant awards can range from $750 to $7,395 (for the 2023-2024 award year). Amounts may change annually. The Pell Grant is available to students who have not earned a bachelors or professional degree and is awarded to both part-time and full-time students. Effective July 1, 2012, students are not eligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant for more than the equivalent of 12 semesters of full-time attendance (600% lifetime eligibility).

Federal TEACH Grant

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH Grant) is a federal grant program for students who plan to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. The TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 per year. In order to qualify for the TEACH Grant students must, among other requirements, have achieved a 3.25 GPA, and must maintain such a GPA for ongoing eligibility. In exchange for receiving the TEACH Grant, students must agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. Recipients of a TEACH Grant must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing their program of study for which the TEACH Grant was received.

IMPORTANT: If you fail to complete this service obligation, all TEACH Grant funds received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. This loan must be repaid to the U.S. Department of Education. Students will be charged interest from the date the grant(s) was disbursed.

State of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP)

This grant is awarded to undergraduate students from Illinois who have financial need and are attending Illinois schools. The maximum award amount varies annually according to the budget set by the State of Illinois. MAP funds are managed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

MAP regulations require students to enroll for 15 credit hours per semester to receive the full award. If enrolled during the fall or spring semesters, students will receive half of their MAP grant each semester. Students enrolled part time, or for only part of the academic year, will have their awards prorated in accordance with ISAC rules. MAP is not available for the summer semester. For additional information regarding MAP awards, please go to http://www.isac.org

By applying for financial aid and agreeing to share that information with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) you have been considered for the State of Illinois (IL) Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. All MAP-approved institutions are required by the State of Illinois to announce MAP Grant awards to students who are enrolled or intending to enroll at their institution. An award amount is included in your financial aid package if you have met the eligibility criteria. The MAP Grant award amount is an estimate made by the financial aid office and is identified as a “State of IL MAP Grant (Est)”. Please be aware that the number of available MAP Grants is limited by funding levels approved by the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor, and reductions to estimated or actual MAP Grants are possible. There are also limitations to how long you can continue to receive a MAP Grant. Usage is tracked by the number of credit hours for which you’ve received MAP benefits and is referred to as MAP Paid Credit Hours (MPCHs). The maximum number of MPCHs that can be received is 135, which is equivalent to approximately four and a half years of fulltime enrollment. For your reference, and to learn more about MPCH limitations, you may access a record of your MPCHs, as well as other student resources, through the ISAC Student Portal at studentportal.isac.org. Eligibility for the need-based MAP Grant award may indicate that you are eligible for assistance with expenses such as food, housing, or child care for dependent children. If you have dependent care expenses, ask the financial aid office about the federal dependent care allowance. For eligibility and application information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Child Care Assistance Program, contact the Illinois Department of Human Services at 800-843-6154 or www.dhs.state.il.us. Contact the Illinois Hunger Coalition Hunger Hotline at 800-359- 2163 or www.ilhunger.org.  

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

This grant is awarded to students whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of performing military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11. Students must be ineligible for a Federal Pell Grant due only to having less financial need than is required to receive Pell funds; must have been under 24 years old or enrolled at least part-time at an institution of higher education at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death. Maximum award amount is $5,500 a year.

NOTE: All grant award amounts are subject to change.

CSU Presidential Scholars Talent Waiver

The Presidential Scholars Talent Waiver is a tuition waiver awarded to select students admitted into the Honors College. Tuition waivers may be applied only to tuition; mandatory university fees and/or room and board are not covered. The Waiver is renewable for a maximum of 4 years or 120 credits whichever occurs first, as long as other eligibility criteria are met. Criteria include: admission to and in good standing with the Honors College, completion and submission of a “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA) and, if selected for Verification, completion of the Verification process and submission of any documentation required by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Students must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours in Fall and Spring terms) and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.35.

Applications for this program are available in the Honors College located in the Academic Library Room 428 or online under the Honors College. For more information, contact the Presidential Scholars Program at 773/821-2541.

Veterans Benefits

Students seeking to have military education benefits certified for the 2023-24 academic year should visit the Office of Student Financial Aid in the Cook Administration Bldg, Rm. 207.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Scholarships

Scholarships are funds that do not need to be repaid. Scholarships are credited directly to the student’s University account during each semester for which the student has been awarded funds. They are first applied against any amounts owed to the University. We invite students to view a list of external scholarships by visiting the Office of Student Financial Aid Scholarship information web page.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)

Note: This policy is subject to revision at any time due to a change in Federal, State of Illinois or CSU regulations and/or policies).

Policy Explanation

In accordance with U.S. Department of Education regulations, Chicago State University (CSU) is required to establish Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards for Federal and State financial aid recipients. These minimum standards ensure that only those recipients demonstrating satisfactory progress toward the completion of their educational objective continue to receive financial assistance.

This policy is effective with the Fall 2019 semester and replaces all prior Satisfactory Academic Progress policies at CSU. However, if a student was determined ineligible under any SAP policy prior to the Fall 2019 semester, that student remains ineligible.

Policy Standards

The following are “minimum standards” required for a student to be eligible for financial assistance:

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement

• Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, or better, on a 4.0 scale, as determined by the University.
• Teacher Certification and 2nd Bachelor students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5, or better, on a 4.0 scale.
• Master’s and Doctorate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, or better, on a 4.0 scale.
• Professional/Pharmacy students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, or better, on a 4.0 scale.

Minimum Completion Rate Requirement (credit hours earned vs. attempted)

All students must successfully complete at least 67% of cumulative attempted hours by the end of each term.

Maximum Time Frame Requirement

Students may receive financial aid for a maximum of 150% of the credit hours required to receive an undergraduate and/or graduate degree. Transfer hours from other institutions accepted by the University will count toward the maximum attempted credit hour limit. If a student is nearing the maximum attempted hours a warning letter will be sent.

Typical Maximum Time Frames

• Undergraduate - 180 hours for a 120-hour degree (degree requirements may vary)
• Graduate - 45 hours for a 30-hour degree (degree requirements may vary)

Minimum Completion Rate Standards

All students must comply with the minimum standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress Completion Rate. Satisfactory Academic Progress Completion Rate refers to the percentage of cumulative hours earned in relation to cumulative hours attempted. Attempted hours include all transfer credits, exam (CLEP) credits, hours with A, B, C, D, F, W, WP, WF, I (incomplete), X (missing grade), repeated hours, and developmental hours. Earned hours are those classes for which there is a letter grade of A, B, C, D, F, P, P1, I/F, and accept transfer credits and exam (CLEP) credits.

Example: A student who has attempted 28 hours at the end of spring semester must have earned a minimum of 19 hours to reach the 67% completion rate.

Transfer credits accepted will not be included in the calculation of the student’s GPA. However, all attempted courses, withdrawals, transfer credits accepted from other colleges, or credits earned at CSU, will be counted toward the Minimum Completion Rate Requirement and the Maximum Time Frame Requirement components as herein defined.

Undergraduate students may receive financial aid for up to an additional maximum of 30 credit hours of attempted course work, if they have up to an equivalent number of credit hours which can be classified as developmental.

Students who are required to take the qualifying examinations, but do not pass the examination in Reading, will be required to enroll in Reading 1500. For those students, Reading 1500 (Reading 150 prior to the Fall 2008 semester) will be considered as a developmental course, and will be deducted from an undergraduate student’s 180 credit hours limit; and those developmental courses numbered 090 through 0990 may also be deducted.

Students who have changed majors can request to have their credits and grades reevaluated. Credits and grades that do not count towards the new major will not be included in the Satisfactory Academic Progress determination.

The Office of Student Financial Aid is NOT notified when a student finishes an incomplete class or receives a grade change. Therefore, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Student Financial Aid when Incompletes are finished and/or grade changes are made. Developmental hours earned and attempted, though they do not count toward graduation requirements, shall be included in “credit hours earned vs. attempted” when computing the Minimum Completion Rate Requirement.

Review Period

At the end of each semester, the record of every student will be reviewed to determine if the student has made progress according to the minimum standards set by this policy. All periods of enrollment (fall, spring, and summer) count toward the Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average Requirement, the Minimum Completion Rate Requirement and the Maximum Time Frame Requirement components, even if a student is not receiving financial aid funding for a period(s) of enrollment.

Students not meeting SAP at the end of a semester and who have an existing academic plan must have their academic progress reviewed by their academic advisor.

Financial Aid Warning

If a student, for the first time, is not making progress according to the minimum standards as set forth under this policy, he/she will be placed on Financial Aid Warning and allowed an additional semester of financial aid eligibility to achieve the aforementioned minimum standards. The student will be eligible to receive financial aid funds during this semester. If at the end of that Financial Aid Warning semester the student has not achieved Satisfactory Academic Progress, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation.

In the event that a student had once been placed on Financial Aid Warning, but subsequently met compliance guidelines within the SAP policy, and then, in a future semester violates the SAP Policy, the student would once again be placed on Financial Aid Warning.

Students who are in violation of the Maximum Time Frame Requirement will not be placed on Financial Aid Warning, but rather will be Denied Reinstatement for further financial aid funding. However, first time Bachelor candidates who have sufficient developmental hours to bring the ratio below 150% may appeal their Denial of Reinstatement by following the Appeals process discussed below.

Financial Aid Probation

Any student who has not maintained Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by this policy after one semester on Financial Aid Warning will be placed on Financial Aid Probation and not eligible to receive Federal and State financial aid funds. Students on Financial Aid Probation may continue to attend Chicago State University at their own expense or until they once again meet SAP criteria or submit an Appeal for Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility that is approved.

Reinstatement

There are two ways a student’s eligibility can be reinstated:

• Meet minimum standards as set forth in this policy by the end of next enrollment period
• File a successful SAP Appeal, which must include an approved Academic Plan and Satisfactory Academic Progress Review Form

Appeals Process

A student who fails to meet the CSU Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements may submit a written Appeal to the Office of Student Financial Aid. The Appeal for Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility form is available from an Academic Advisor, on the Office of Student Financial Aid website, or in the Office of Student Financial Aid. Appeals must clearly explain and provide proof (if warranted) of why Satisfactory Academic Progress standards were not met. Proof can include injury, illness, death of a relative, or other mitigating circumstances.

As a part of the SAP Appeal process undergraduate students must meet with their academic advisor, and graduate students must meet with advisors in their major department, to develop an academic plan that successfully meets the requirements of both their academic program and the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. If after completing an academic plan, a student wishes to modify the plan, any change must be approved and dated by the student’s advisor.

Completed appeals will be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Aid and must include an Academic Plan, a Satisfactory Academic Progress Review Form, and an Appeal for Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility form. Appeals are reviewed each semester on an individual basis. Students are notified by the Office of Student Financial Aid of the decision as to whether or not a student is reinstated for financial aid/loan eligibility. The decision of the Office of Student Financial Aid is final.

Please Note

• Hours earned/attempted under a financial aid Consortium Agreement, with another school, are subject to CSU’s SAP Policy.
• Students, who have changed majors and have provided a reevaluation of their degree audit from the academic advisor in the new major, will have their financial aid reset, so that only credits and grades which apply toward the new major are included in SAP evaluation/review.

GPA and completion rate may be affected by incomplete grades, withdrawals from courses, repeat courses and transfer credits.

NOTE: Graduate students must see advisors in their departments. The Academic Plan must be completed when submitting the appeal form to the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Completed appeal forms should be returned to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Appeals are reviewed each semester on an individual basis. Students are notified by the Office of Student Financial Aid of the decision of the committee. The decision of the committee is final.

NOTE: It is the responsibility of all students to keep themselves informed of issues and policy changes that may affect their financial aid eligibility by regularly accessing the Office of Student Financial aid website, and CSU X-press.

Treatment of course withdrawals, incomplete(s) or not reported, repeated courses, and noncredit remedial courses

Withdrawals (W)

Courses dropped before the conclusion of the add/drop period each semester as defined by the Office of Records and Registration will not count as a class attempted. Classes dropped after this point will count as a class attempted. Students who totally withdraw after the conclusion of the add/drop period in any semester will have all of their classes counted as attempted. Before students drop a class, they need to take into consideration their SAP status.

Incompletes (I) or Not Reported (NR)

Courses in which a student has an incomplete or the faculty member has not reported a grade at the time when SAP is reviewed will be included in the attempted hours. However, as there will be no current grade in the system, these courses will not be included in the cumulative GPA determination at such time.

Repeated Courses

For courses repeated, only the most recent grade is included in the student’s cumulative GPA. When determining if a student is meeting the quantitative SAP standards, all courses will be included in the attempted hours. Federal Financial Aid guidelines have changed. Please refer to Financial Aid Repeat policy for additional information or check the Financial Aid website at www.csu.edu.

Non-credit remedial courses (NC)

Noncredit remedial courses are included in both the attempted hours and the student’s cumulative GPA. Developmental course work is deducted from the 180 credit hours limit. Students may receive financial aid for an additional maximum of 30 credit hours of attempted course work if the 30 hours are classified as developmental.

NOTE: GPA and hours attempted/completed under a Financial Aid Consortium Agreement with a school other than CSU are also included in the SAP policy compliance requirements. This policy is effective beginning with the January 2013 semester and is subject to change without notice based on changes with government regulations or university policy.

All information contained in the Financial Assistance section of this catalog is subject to revision based upon changes in government regulations, funding availability, and CSU policy. For the most up-to-date information concerning the financial assistance process at CSU, please consult the Office of Student Financial Aid website.

Return of Title IV Policy

Students are awarded Title IV aid with the assumption that they will complete the entire period (semester) for which the assistance was provided. The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, requires students to earn Title IV funds on a pro rata (in proportion) basis. When students cease enrollment in all cases after the period begins, the U.S. Department of Education requires schools to determine if such students earned all the aid they received or if additional aid must be paid based on attendance.

Title IV Funding Programs
The Federal assistance programs for which Title IV funds are returned include: Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Subsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, Federal Pell Grant, Iraq and Afghanistan Service, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, TEACH Grant.

Return of Title IV Formula
It is the responsibility of Chicago State University to determine the amount of Title IV aid assistance earned by the student as of the date enrollment ceased (withdrawal date). The Federal Return of Title IV funds formula dictates the amount of Title IV aid that must be returned to the Federal government by the school within 45 days of the student’s notification date or the date that CSU determines the student’s enrollment ceased.

Withdrawal Date Determination
CSU is a non-attendance taking institution and as such withdrawal dates are determined in two ways:

1. Through a student-initiated withdrawal (official).
2. Through a CSU administrative withdrawal (unofficial).

The student-initiated withdrawal occurs when the student notifies CSU of their intent to withdraw. Administrative withdrawal occurs when CSU determines that the student is no longer enrolled based on a variety of reasons such as (but not limited to): a student’s lack of academic activity, failure to establish academic activity at the beginning of a new term, student dismissal due to disciplinary reason or failure to pay tuition.

60% Rule

The initial amount of Title IV aid assistance earned is based on the number of calendar days that the student was enrolled within the semester. During the first 60% of the enrollment period, a student earns Title IV funds in direct proportion to the number of days for which the student remains enrolled. The initial percentage of aid earned is determined by the total number of calendar days completed in the enrollment period (from the start of the semester through the date student-initiated withdrawal), divided by the total number of calendar days in the semester. Scheduled breaks of five or more consecutive days are excluded. For more information on Return of Title IV please refer to https://www.csu.edu/financialaid/title_iv_fund_policy.htm

All students who withdraw from CSU are subject to the Title IV Return of Funds policy. During the first 60% of the enrollment period, a student earns Title IV funds in direct proportion to the length of time he/she is enrolled. The percentage of aid earned is determined by the date the student initiates the withdrawal, the total number of calendar days in the enrollment period, and the calendar days the student completed during the period of enrollment.