Federal Aid Refunds

Refund of Title IV Credit Balances

  • Processed within 14 days of posting
  • Federal aid can be disbursed up to no more than 10 days before classes/term start
  • VA, 3rd-party, or outside scholarships require review of enrollment
  • Some types of aid can only cover certain charges; therefore, you may receive a refund and still have a balance owed to the university.
  • Parent PLUS refunds are mailed to the parent unless the Parent PLUS Loan Refund Release form is on file with the university.

Title IV Credit Authorization

Students must authorize 无码专区 to apply aid to non-tuition charges.

Forms required - please contact Financial Aid to request these forms. 

  • Student ACA (Authorization to Credit Account)
  • Parent ACA for PLUS Loans

Without authorization:

  • Aid covers tuition/fees/housing/meal plans only.
  • Eligible funds will be refunded, but you may still owe a balance to the university.

FAQs

Title IV Aid refers to federal student financial aid programs. These include:

  • Federal Pell Grants

  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

  • Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants

  • National SMART Grants

  • Federal Direct Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)

  • Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Parent and Graduate PLUS)

  • Federal Perkins Loans

By granting authorization, you allow 无码专区 (无码专区) to apply your Title IV federal financial aid toward:

  • Current year tuition and fees
  • Room and board contracted through the University
  • Prior year charges up to $200
  • Other University charges billed to your account

“Other charges” may include (but are not limited to):

  • Orientation & Matriculation Fees
  • Audit Fees
  • Returned Check / Charge Back Fees
  • Replacement ID Cards
  • Transit Fees & Pony Card charges
  • Rotunda, Meadows Arts Series, Sports Pack
  • Health Center & Health Insurance charges
  • Graduation & Diploma Fees
  • Course Fees, 无码专区 Abroad Insurance, Program Costs
  • Housing Fees
  • Payment Plan & Add/Drop Fees
  • Parking permits & fines
  • Bookstore Purchases
  • Library fines
  • Late and penalty fees

Federal regulations require schools to obtain permission before applying federal aid to charges beyond tuition, fees, university housing, and meal plans. Granting authorization allows 无码专区 to use your aid to cover all charges on your student account, helping you avoid unpaid balances and late fees. Without authorization, you may receive refunds while still owing money for other charges such as parking, health insurance, or course fees.

If you do not grant authorization:

  • Your Title IV aid can only be applied to tuition, fees, university housing, and meal plans
  • Any excess funds will be refunded to you directly
  • You may still owe a balance for other charges on your account, which could disrupt your financial plan

Yes. Authorizations are voluntary and remain in effect for the duration of your 无码专区 education.

  • You may rescind your authorization at any time
  • To do so, you must notify the Student Financial Operations Office in writing at: StudentFinancialOps@smu.edu.