Your Rights

As a student you have the right to be informed of:

  • Your cost of attendance
  • Procedures and deadlines for submitting applications for financial aid
  • The different types of financial assistance available from federal, state, and institutional sources
  • Who the financial aid personnel are and the location of the Office of Financial Aid

As a borrower you have certain rights. Once a lender approves your loan, you will receive a disclosure statement providing you with the following information:

  • The full amount of the loan
  • The interest rate as specified in the promissory note
  • When you must start repaying the loan

Before you begin repayment of your loan, the holder is required to give you a repayment schedule and detailed information regarding interest rates, fees, your outstanding balance and available repayment options.

  • You have the right to defer repayment for certain defined periods after the grace period, if you qualify
  • You have the right to request forbearance, if you qualify
  • You may prepay your loan in whole or in part at any time without penalty

Your Responsibilities

One of the major aspects in financial aid is for a student to understand the responsibilities attached to receiving aid. By accepting the aid offered, a student must realize that they are expected to:

  • Know and understand the terms and conditions of all financial aid programs from which aid was awarded
  • Know all deadlines for applying for aid and meet them. Provide all required documentation, corrections, and/or information requested by the Office of Financial Aid
  • Inform the Office of Financial Aid of any grants, scholarships, or any other form of assistance that you may receive by submitting the Request to Change Form - Report Outside Assistance
  • Understand that the proceeds from the loan can only be used for tuition, fees, living expenses and other reasonable related educational living expenses, as outlined in the budget
  • Repay loans with all accrued interest and deducted fees, even if you do not complete your education, are unable to find employment, or are dissatisfied with the education you received
  • Repay loans within the time allocated by the lender
  • Notify the lender or designated agency in writing within 10 days if the following occur:
    • Change of name
    • Change of address
    • Change of phone number
    • Change of graduation date
    • Transfer to another school
    • Enroll less than half time
    • Withdraw from school
  • Complete the paperwork to have loans deferred or placed on forbearance
  • Not be in default on any loans or owe a refund on any grant

To determine the servicer of your federal loans go to  and follow the instructions under "Identifying Your Servicer".  Be prepared to login with your Social Security Number, Date of Birth, and your FSA ID.