Return of Title IV Funds
Students who withdraw from all classes on or before the 60% point of the semester are required to return unearned aid received from Title IV funds. Federal Guidelines allow for some exemptions from the Return of Title IV calculation under specific conditions related to 8-week courses (modules). Detailed information regarding these exemptions can be found on the Financial Aid page of our website under Financial Aid Policies and Procedures. Title IV funds include the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).
The Return of Title IV calculation determines the earned and unearned Title IV aid based on the percentage of the enrollment period completed by the student. A student who remains in attendance beyond the 60% point of the semester, or meets one of the Return of Title IV calculation exemptions, earns all the aid for which the student was eligible in the semester.
Students who withdraw from all classes on or before the 35% point of the semester are required to return unearned state aid (Next NC Scholarship). A student who remains in attendance beyond the 35% point in the semester is considered to have earned all of this state aid for which the student was eligible in the semester.
Returning unearned aid is the responsibility of the College and the student. Within 30 days of determining the student’s withdrawal date, the Financial Aid Office will send a notice to the student regarding the amount of Title IV aid to be repaid by the College and by the student, as well as any state aid to be returned. Per Federal regulation, WPCC has 45 days from the date the College determined that the student withdrew to repay unearned Title IV funds. Students have 45 days from the date of notification to repay unearned funds to the U.S. Department of Education, or establish a repayment agreement in order to maintain eligibility for Title IV assistance. The policy of WPCC is to remit the student portion to the Department of Education on behalf of the student. Students have 30 days to repay the College the funds WPCC returned to the Department of Education and to the state as a result of the Return of Title IV calculation. Outstanding return of funds owed to the school will prevent the student from registering for courses until the amount has been paid in full.