Office of Financial Aid

• Policies for Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Grants
• Loans
• On-Campus Student Employment
• Default Prevention and Reduction Measures
• Federal “Return of Title IV Funds” Policy

Taina J. Savoit, Director

The Office of Financial Aid is under the supervision of the Director of Financial Aid. The operations of the department include the administration of state and federal student aid programs (i.e. grants, loans, jobs). Scholarships are administered by the Scholarships and Testing Office. (See scholarship section of this catalog.)

One of the primary functions of the office is to administer programs which provide financial assistance to students of McNeese State University. A wide variety of programs are available from federal, state, and local funds under the general headings of loans, grants, and work opportunities. The type and amount of aid available to a student usually depends on need and academic achievement, although other factors may be considered.

Through a packaging concept, it is often possible to provide a student who has a high need factor with sufficient funding to cover the majority of college expenses. The University considers all applicants without regard to gender, race, or creed. Complete applications must be filed in the Office of Financial Aid before May 1 to be considered for the following fall and spring semesters and the summer sessions.

Steps in Applying for Financial Assistance

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form may be obtained from the high school counselor or from the Office of Financial Aid at the McNeese campus. This form should be completed and mailed in February of each year to meet the application priority date of May 1. To apply for the 2013-2014 academic year, the student will need his/her 2012 tax return. Dependent students will need their parent’s 2012 tax return and income information.
2. Complete an MSU Data Form and send it to the Office of Financial Aid at McNeese State University. This form may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid at McNeese or by clicking on the following link: MSU Data Form and must be completed each year.
3. Submit the Student Aid Report to the Office of Financial Aid at McNeese immediately. The result of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the Student Aid Report, will be mailed or emailed directly to the student from the Central Processor. Students should read all the special instructions and comments listed.
4. Promptly provide all additional documentation requested by the Office of Financial Aid. Applications will not be completed until all necessary forms are received in the Office of Financial Aid. Students should allow approximately eight weeks to complete the financial aid application request process.
5. Must be in a degree seeking program and taking courses for credit hours towards your degree to be considered for federal financial assistance.
6. Must be enrolled at least half-time (six hours) or more during each semester to be considered for all federal financial aid programs. Students enrolled for less than half-time (five or fewer hours) enrollment status will be considered for the Federal Pell Grant Program only.
7. Students enrolled in mini sessions that begin after the regular term or the first mini session can make changes to their schedule all the way throught hte day after those classes begin. McNeese does not certify enrollment nor pay those funds for those subsequent mini sessions until 10 days prior to the class begin date.
8. Federal regulations indicate that federal financial assitance can only be provided to studetns for courses that count twoard their degree or certificate program. If a student is enrolled in courses that do not count toward any degree, they cannot be used to determine assistance that can be awarded to a student.
9. Federal regulations indiate that financial aid may be paid for repeated coursework previously taken in the program but may not include more than one repetition of a previously passed course. This means courses for which you have passed with a grade of D or better can only be repeated once in your enrollment status to count for Federal Financial Aid eligibility determination.

Entering Freshmen must also:

10. Have earned a high school diploma or GED to be eligible for financial assistance.
11. Apply to the Office of Admissions and Recruiting for admission to the University.
12. Take the ACT and have official results sent to McNeese.

College Graduate Students must also:

13. Be enrolled at least half-time or more in graduate level courses each semester to be considered for graduate level federal student loan awards at the time of disbursement. Half-time is defined as six hours for Fall, Spring, and/or Summer semesters.

IN ORDER TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN TIME TO PAY FOR FALL 2013 AND SPRING 2014, THE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION MUST BE MAILED BY FEBRUARY 2013.

Financial Aid Application Priority Dates: May 1, 2013 for Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Summer 2014.

To be eligible for financial assistance, a student must meet minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards (SAP) as listed below each semester - fall, spring and summer. Satisfactory Academic Progress is defined as passing a required number of hours and achieving a required cumulative grade point average during each semester while pursuing a degree program.

Minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Freshmen

*Cumulative GPA: Total Quality Points divided by Total Quality Hours.

Minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

*Cumulative GPA: Total Quality Points divided by Total Quality Hours.

Minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Graduates

*Cumulative GPA: Total Quality Points divided by Total Quality Hours.

The above policy applies to all transfer, continuing, and re-entry students for all academic semesters or sessions, including students who have not previously participated in federal aid programs.

• Remedial or Developmental courses. Completion of these courses is considered in the total hour requirement for receiving financial aid.
• “I”, “IN”, “IP”, “IPC”, “W”, “WN”, or “NR” Grades. Count as hours pursued, but do not count as hours earned until the course is satisfactorily completed according to the provisions in the University catalog. These grades do not affect grade point average.
• Transfer students. In order to be eligible for financial aid, transfer students are required to be in good academic standing at all previous schools attended. You must also have a 2.0 GPA (for undergraduate students) and a 3.0 GPA (for graduate students) for the last period of enrollment and meet the hour requirements in the McNeese Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. Incoming transfer students are not eligible for financial aid a warning term. All previous hours pursued are considered in establishing total remaining eligibility.
• Repeated courses. The federal regulations indicate that financial aid may be paid for repeated coursework previously taken in the program but may not include more than one repetition of a previously passed course. This means courses for which you have passed with a grade of D or better can only be repeated once in your enrollment status to count for Federal Financial Aid eligibility determination. After the second time the course is taken and a passing grade is earned, the credit hours for the repeated course will be excluded from your financial aid enrollment only.
• Grade Changes. Once a grade change has occurred, it is the students’ responsibility to contact this office to determine if it changes their eligibility for financial assistance.
• Academic bankruptcy. For financial aid purposes, hours dismissed through academic bankruptcy will count towards hours attempted/pursued but not towards grade point average except in the case of a transfer student where hours will count towards both hours attempted/pursued and grade point average.

Any students, other than transfer students, not meeting these requirements have not met the minimum satisfactory academic progress standards and will be placed on probation. (See Appeal Procedures).

• Financial Aid Warning. Students will be placed on warning status after their first semester of not maintaining SAP. Students on SAP Warning are eligible for financial aid. No appeal is necessary. After their second consecutive semester of NOT maintaining SAP at McNeese State University, their financial aid will be terminated. Not attending one or more semesters will not affect or change your SAP status.

Attempted Hour Limitations

Federal regulations require academic progress to be measured pace (quantitatively) as well as qualitatively, and the pace (quantitative) measures may not exceed 150 percent of the time normally required for degree completion. Hours attempted/pursued include all hours (courses) enrolled as of the close of late registration and in which a grade was awarded (including “W” withdrawals).

*Based on an average 120-hour degree plan. ** Based on an average 33-hour master’s degree plan. Students with degree programs requiring more hours may appeal for extended periods of entitlement.

• Students who fail to complete their degree plan within the above limitations are ineligible to receive financial assistance, even if they did not receive financial aid each semester.

Appeal Procedures

Satisfactory Academic Progress will be checked after grades are posted at the end of the fall, spring and summer semesters.

1. Regaining Eligibility. Students can either submit an appeal for their federal aid or pay on their own and maintain SAP listed in the above charts to become eligible for a future term.
2. Notification. Students not in academic compliance will be notified after each semester. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) information is mailed to the student after determination of compliance with each semester’s standards.
3. Financial Aid Warning. Students, except for transfer, will be put on warning after their first semester at McNeese State University of not maintaining SAP. Students on SAP Warning are eligible for financial aid. No appeal is necessary. After their second consecutive semester of NOT maintaining SAP, their financial aid will be terminated. Not attending one or more semesters will not affect or change your SAP status.
4. Mitigating Circumstances. Students who have extenuating circumstances causing the cumulative grade point average and/or hours earned to fall below standard may appeal to the Financial Aid Appeal Committee. Examples of extenuating circumstances are prolonged illness under a doctor’s care, illness or accidents requiring hospitalization or prolonged illness of a dependent, or death of an immediate family member.
5. Information to Include in Appeal. Specifically why SAP was not maintained and what has changed which will now allow SAP to be maintained at the end of the next term. See How to Appeal for the questions that you will have to answer while submitting your appeal.
6. Submission Deadline. Students must submit their appeal letter no later than two weeks prior to the appeal meeting. Appeal letter must be submitted electronically in Banner Self Service.
7. Results. Each academic college will submit a decision to the Financial Aid Office, once a decision has been finalized. The decision could be, Granted Financial Aid Probation, Academic Plan Approved for one, two or three terms, Academic Plan Approved-Change Major or Denied. If the appeal committee denies your appeal, you will not be eligible for that semester. If your extenuating circumstances change, then you have the right to appeal for a future semester that you wish to attend. The Academic Colleges decision is final.

Student Responsibilities

1. A student must file an Application for Admission to the University, or be accepted for admission in order to apply for financial assistance.
2. Financial aid is awarded on an annual basis. To be considered for aid in subsequent years, an application must be submitted annually by the announced deadline, usually May 1. ERRORS CAN DELAY RECEIVING FINANCIAL AID.
3. A student must provide all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the Office of Financial Aid or the agency to which the student submitted an application by the announced deadline, usually May 1.
4. A student should read and understand all forms and keep personal copies.
5. A student receiving and/or applying for financial aid must maintain “Satisfactory Academic Progress” as defined by the policies of the University in order to remain on the various aid programs.
6. A student who is a recipient of an award not included on the Financial Aid notification letter must inform the Office of Financial Aid of the source and amount. Other awards such as scholarships, tuition exemptions, and VA Benefits may reduce the amount of Title IV financial aid for which a student qualifies; however, if a change in award is necessary, a student’s revised package will not contain less gift assistance than the original award of scholarships and grant money.
7. No student who has earned a baccalaureate degree is eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), GO Grant, or the LEAP.
8. A student must be enrolled at least six (06) hours in order to participate in on-campus programs (work, loans, and FSEOG, etc.).
9. A student must keep the Office of Financial Aid informed of any courses dropped or resignation from school. All address and/or name changes must be reported through the Office of the Registrar.
10. A student who resigns from school before the end of the academic semester or summer session may have to refund a portion of the aid received which is not applicable to attendance at McNeese. All federal financial aid recipients who officially and/or unofficially withdraw from a class are subject to repaying a portion of the funding received.
11. To be eligible for Title IV assistance, a student must be enrolled in a degree seeking program. Since undergraduate students cannot earn a degree through EASE, undergraduates who are enrolled through EASE are not eligible to receive financial aid. If a student is not pursuing a degree plan and/or taking courses for non-credit, the student is not eligible to receive any financial assistance.
12. A student assigned University employment CANNOT WORK UNTIL the “Work Assignment” has been received from the Student Employment Office. A student will not be paid for work until the time sheet is signed by both the student and the supervisor. Also, a student may not exceed the allotted hours per week of work assigned. A student must perform in a satisfactory manner the work that is agreed upon in accepting a campus job. Student income earned through on campus employment is taxable and must be claimed on a tax return.
13. Any student receiving a Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and/or Federal Perkins Loan for the first time must complete Student Loan First Time Borrowers Entrance Counseling on the Internet through the McNeese Financial Aid Web site by clicking the following link: Entrance Counseling. The entrance counseling is for the borrower to learn the rights and responsibilities pertaining to the student loan program.
14. A first-time Student Loan borrower who has earned less than 30 hours cannot receive Student Loan funds until he/she has attended classes for 30 days.
15. A student who does not plan to enroll next semester, resigns during the semester or graduates, and has received a Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Student Loan, or Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Student Loan must complete Exit Counseling by clicking the following link: Exit Counseling before leaving the University. The student is responsible for the Promissory Note and other signed agreements. A student with a loan must notify the lender of changes in name, address, or student status.
16. All entering freshmen must have earned a high school diploma or GED to be eligible for Title IV student assistance. A certificate of completion from high school is not acceptable.
17. All males must be registered with selective service and may be required to give proof of registration compliance.
18. The amount of grant and/or scholarship assistance received by a student which exceeds the cost of tuition and required books is taxable income for IRS purposes.
19. The summer semester is awarded separately from the fall/spring award period. The financial aid office will award the maximum eligibility to the student for the fall/spring award period. If the student has additional eligibility for the academic year, then summer aid will be awarded upon student’s request.
20. A student having questions concerning his/her award or who is experiencing financial difficulty should phone (337) 475-5065 or visit the Office of Financial Aid.

McNeese State University Estimated 2013-2014 Cost of Attendance Louisiana Resident: Fall 2013 and Spring 2014

Federal Pell Grants

The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based program which provides money to help undergraduates pay for their education after high school. For many students, these grants provide a foundation of financial aid, to which aid from other Federal and Non-Federal sources may be added. Unlike loans, grants DO NOT have to be paid back. Pell awards range from $200 to $2775 per semester. Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to participate in this program.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a need-based program to help pay for education after high school. It is for undergraduate students only, and it DOES NOT have to be paid back. A student may get up to $2,000 a year, depending on need, the availability of FSEOG funds, and the amount of other aid received. A student must qualify for Federal Pell Grant in order to receive an FSEOG. The cumulative grade point average required is at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 system with the required number of earned hours based on the attempted hours each semester. Every year, the Department of Education gives McNeese a specific amount of funds for FSEOG’s. These awards are made on a first come, first serve basis. When total funds are awarded, there are no more FSEOG’s for that year; therefore, it is important to meet the school’s financial aid application deadlines.

GO Grant

A need based state grant for Louisiana residents that are a Federal Pell Grant recipient. Also, students must be a first time freshman for Fall 2007 semester or 25 years of age or older and not have enrolled in credit bearing courses for at least one academic year.

Federal Perkins Student Loan Program

This program is available to students from low-income families. The maximum amount that a student may borrow is $1500 per semester. These loans are based on evidence of a student’s ability to perform university work as well as economic need. Payment of these loans is at five percent interest with the first payment due 9 months after a student leaves the institution or graduates.

Federal Stafford Loan Program

This program is available to students who are enrolled for at least 6 credit hours each semester at the time of awarding and disbursing of funds. Students borrow from qualified lending institutions and may apply for a maximum loan according to the following schedule (new limits effective July 1, 2007):

• $3,500 for students who have earned less than 30 hours (freshmen).
• $4,500 for students who have earned at least 30 hours but less than 60 (sophomores).
• $5,500 for students who have earned at least 60 hours, but have not completed the requirements for a baccalaureate degree (juniors, seniors and graduates not pursuing a graduate degree).
• $8,500 for graduate students pursuing a graduate degree and enrolled in at least 6 hours of graduate-level courses. If a graduate student is not enrolled in at least 6 hours of graduate level courses, they could be considered ineligible or eligible for lower level loan amounts.

The total of a Federal Stafford Loan award and a Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan award may not exceed the above annual award limits. The U.S. Department of Education will deduct an origination fee of 3% and 1% default fee of the principal amount of the loan from each disbursement received by a student. These fees are used to offset the costs of default claims and special allowances.

Continuing and transfer students may apply if they have been making satisfactory progress by earning the required number of hours each year with a grade point average of at least 2.0. A first time Federal Stafford borrower who has earned less than 30 hours cannot receive a Federal Stafford Loan check until he/she has attended classes for 30 days.

Loans of this type are repaid over a period of 10 years, excluding periods of deferment and/or forbearance. Interest does not accrue while the student is enrolled at least half time (06-six hours). Repayment of principal and interest commences 6 months after the day on which the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time (06-six hours). The interest rate is fixed at 6.8% effective July 1, 2006.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program

This loan program is available to all students, regardless of family income, who are enrolled for at least 6 credit hours each semester at the time of awarding and disbursing of funds. Students borrow from qualified lending institutions and loan limits are the same as for the Federal Stafford Loan Program. The total of a Federal Stafford Loan award and a Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan award may not exceed the above annual award limits. The U. S. Department of Education will deduct an origination fee of 3% and 1% default fee of the principal amount of the loan from each disbursement received by a student. These fees are used to offset the cost of default claims and special allowances.

Continuing and transfer students may apply if they have been making satisfactory progress by earning the required number of hours each academic year with a grade point average of at least 2.0 per academic year. A first time Federal Unsubsidized Stafford borrower who has earned less than 30 hours cannot receive an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan check until he/she has attended classes for 30 days.

Loans of this type are repaid over a period of 10 years, excluding periods of deferment and/or forbearance. Students must pay interest during in-school, grace and deferments. These interest payments may be made monthly, quarterly, or be added to the principal amount of the loan (i.e. capitalized). Repayment of principal commences 6 months after the month in which the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time (06-six hours). The interest rate is fixed at 6.8% effective July 1, 2006.

Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

PLUS loans are for parents of dependent students. Parents who do not have adverse credit history may borrow from qualified lending institutions, and may borrow an amount equal to the cost of education minus estimated financial assistance for each dependent student who is enrolled at least half time. The interest rate is fixed at 8.5 % effective July 1, 2006. The U. S. Department of Education will deduct an origination fee of 3% and 1% default fee of the principal balance of each disbursement. These fees are used to offset the cost of default claims and special allowances. Repayment of PLUS loans begins immediately and are repaid over a period of 10 years, excluding periods of deferment/forbearance. Borrower should contact lender to obtain information regarding possible deferment forbearance options.

Through Federal Work-Study and Student Aid Programs, students are awarded a part-time job on campus by the Office of Financial Aid and will be assigned a department to work in by the Student Employment Office. Students may be considered for employment in either program, depending upon financial need, grades, availability of funds, and other factors.

A student desiring employment must have a current application on file and, if requested for work by a department, must be assigned by the Student Employment Office before beginning work each semester or session. This regulation applies to those who have held student jobs previously, as well as to new applicants.

The pay scale is determined by federal regulations and the Minimum Wage Law which is in effect during the period of employment. A student MAY NOT begin work without a work assignment each semester. Student income earned through on-campus employment is taxable and must be claimed on a tax return.

Work-On-Campus

This program is open to all students regardless of income. However, funds are limited and are awarded on a first come basis based on your eligibility.

WITHHOLDING OF ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS FROM DEFAULTED STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS

With regard to the provisions of Legislative Act 808 which states that each school shall adopt rules and regulations to provide for the administration of the various student loan funds and the granting and repayment of such loans, the following policy is observed by McNeese State University relative to the withholding of academic transcripts from defaulted student borrowers.

In order for an academic transcript to be released, a defaulted student borrower must repay all outstanding principal, interest and fees in full. This provision also applies to the student whose parent has defaulted on a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students which the parent borrowed on behalf of the student.

With regard to the requirement of Act 808 that each school policy shall include a due process procedure permitting a student, if the student desires, to appear before the final arbiter prior to any action withholding such student’s transcript, such an appeal shall be made to the Director of Financial Aid at McNeese State University.

In an effort to reduce default rates for the Federal Stafford Student Loan Program, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Student Loan Program, Federal Supplemental Loan for Students Program, Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students Program, and the Federal Perkins Loan Program, and prevent future defaulted student loans, McNeese State University hereby adopts the following default prevention and reduction measures.

Measures adopted by McNeese State University

• Before awarding a student loan, an aid officer must verify that the applicant, including transfer student applicant, has maintained an overall GPA greater than or equal to 2.0, as well as earned a GPA of at least 2.0 with at least the minimum number of hours during the last academic year, as required by current Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for financial aid recipients.
• If a student loan award is processed after mid-term, and the student’s mid-term grades do not meet current minimum Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid recipients, the Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to withhold the student loan award. Students may appeal this decision to the Director of Financial Aid.
• After final grades are posted for each academic year, students who fail to meet the minimum Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid recipients have the right to appeal in writing to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. The committee made up of faculty, staff, and student representatives, will review the student’s appeal letter and grade history. The committee will grant or deny the student’s appeal. If the student is appealing for grant/job assistance in addition to loan assistance, the committee may grant all other assistance and deny the student loan.
• Borrowers with defaulted student loans may not receive an official academic transcript until the loan is paid in full, but can receive an “unofficial” academic transcript at any time. Defaulted borrowers may appeal this decision to the Director of Financial Aid. This policy is requested by the State of Louisiana Guarantee Agency, and is in accordance with ACT 808 adopted by the Louisiana Legislature during the 1990 regular session.
• A student whose parent has defaulted on a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) which was borrowed on behalf of the student may not receive an academic transcript until the loan is paid in full. This McNeese policy is consistent with the treatment of defaulted Federal Stafford Student Loan borrowers provided for by ACT 808.

Measures Mandated by Federal Regulation

• First-time borrowers who have earned less than 30 semester hours must attend classes for 30 days prior to receiving loan proceeds.
• First-time borrowers must complete the entrance counseling prior to receiving loan proceeds. At this time, borrowers are counseled regarding their rights, responsibilities and obligations pertaining to repayment of their student loan(s).
• All borrowers who graduate, transfer, resign, or do not return to McNeese the subsequent semester must complete the exit counseling. All graduating seniors must complete exit counseling and/or attend a personal exit interview with the Perkins Loan Office at McNeese prior to receiving their diploma. At this time, borrowers are counseled regarding their rights, responsibilities, and obligations pertaining to repayment of their student loan (s).
• The University must notify the lending institution of the Guarantee Agency within 60 days after a borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half time (06-six hours).
• Borrowers with defaulted student loans are not eligible to receive any further Title IV assistance until the loan is fully repaid or satisfactory repayment arrangements have been made.

If a student, who has earned Titel IV financial assistance, withdraws or stops attending class on or before completing 60% of the semester, in which the Title IV aid was disbursed, the following Return of Title IV Funds policy will be applied.

For purposes of this policy, an institutional refund means the amount paid for institutional charges for a payment period by financial aid and/or cash payments minus the amount retained by the institution for the portion of the payment period that the student was actually enrolled at the institution.

McNeese State University implemented the new federal Return of Title IV Funds policy beginning with the Fall 2000 semester per the Higher Education Act of 1998. This policy applies to any student who has earned Title IV aid which is Federal Pell Grant, TEACH Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work Study (FWS), Federal Stafford Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Parent) and who officially withdraws, drops out, stops attending, is expelled, takes an unapproved leave of absence, or fails to return from an approved leave of absence (unofficial withdrawal). Refer to the “Withdrawal from the University” section of this catalog for requirements for officially withdrawing from school.

The amount of Title IV Funds to return to the applicable federal programs will be determined by using the student’s last date of attendance to calculate the percentage of the enrollment period for which the student did not complete. Scheduled breaks of five or more consecutive days are excluded. McNeese will remit the percentage of the unearned Title IV Funds that were disbursed or that could have been disbursed to the federal programs. The funds will be returned no more than 45 days from the date that the last date of attendance was determined. McNeese State University will return the lesser of the total of unearned aid or an amount equal to institutional charges multiplied by the percentage of unearned aid. The student will be responsible for repaying any remaining unearned portion that was disbursed to them. Students who did not receive all of the funds earned may be due a post-withdrawal disbursement.

Failure to attend class or failure to resign properly could cause the student to receive a letter grade of F, I, U, WN, NR, IN, IPC, NCE in all courses. In this case, the student would still be subject to the return of funds policy once an official last date of attendance is established. Merely discontinuing class attendance is not considered to be a formal resignation from the university. Students who were awarded financial assistance and who discontinue class attendance may be held responsible for repayment of all tuition and fees. Please refer to the “Class Attendance Regulations” section of this catalog for requirements on class attendance.

If a student’s portion of unearned Title IV funds is a loan, no action by the school is necessary. Regular loan terms and conditions apply. If a student’s portion of unearned Title IV funds is a federal grant, the student will be required to return no more than 50% of the amount received for the enrollment period.

In the event of official resignation, the McNeese institutional refund policy will be applied and tuition will be reduced by that amount. The student may be liable for any Title IV funds disbursed to their account in excess of the amount allowed by federal regulations. The school will collect the portion of any assistance owed by the student. If no payment is received, holds will be placed on the student’s account and the student will lose eligibility for Title IV aid unless the overpayment is paid in full or satisfactory repayment arrangements are made. Unearned funds are allocated to the Title IV program from which the student received assistance, in the following order:

• 1st- Unsubsidized Federal/Direct Stafford Loans
• 2nd- Subsidized Federal/Direct Stafford Loans
• 3rd- Federal PERKINS Loans
• 4th- Federal PLUS Loans
• 5th- Federal Pell Grant
• 6th- Federal SEOG Grant
• 7th- Federal TEACH Grant
• 8th- Other Title IV Programs

After the institutional refund has been credited in this order, any remaining amount will be returned to the student.

Refund of Housing/Room Charges

Rooms may be reserved by placing a deposit/application fee with the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life. For information concerning deposits, call the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life at (337) 475-5606. The Office of Student Housing and Residence Life will refund the deposit portion of the fee when the term lease ends and the student vacates the property with no damages to the building or furnishings, and no unpaid balances for lease remains. Students are obligated to fulfill the lease signed by them.

Refund of Board Charges

The University will refund Board charges in full if a student submits written notice of cancellation prior to the first day of class. For students who resign or vacate the residence halls after the first day of class, unused board charges will be refunded on a pro-rata basis. The institutional refund amount determined in this manner as due for tuition and/or room and board charges will be credited in the following order:

• 1st- Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
• 2nd- Federal Stafford Loans
• 3rd- Federal PLUS Loans
• 4th- Federal Perkins Loans
• 5th- Federal Pell Grant
• 6th- Federal SEOG Grant
• 7th- State Grants and Scholarships (including LEAP and GO Grant)
• 8th- Institutional Scholarships

After the institutional refund has been credited in this order, any remaining amount will be returned to the student.