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Rights and Responsibilities

You have the right to ask the university:

  • The cost of education and the university’s refund policy.
  • What financial assistance is available, including information on all federal, state, local, private, and institutional financial aid programs.
  • About the procedures, forms and deadlines for submitting applications for each available financial aid program.
  • The student eligibility requirements and the criteria for selecting recipients from the group of eligible applicants.
  • How your financial need is calculated, including the determination and amount of the expected family contribution, and the criteria for determining the amount of your aid award(s).
  • How much of your financial need has been met, as determined by the OSFA.
  • How aid is disbursed or paid to your account.
  • To explain each type and amount of assistance in your financial aid offer.
  • The interest rate on any student loan you have, the total amount you must repay, the length of time you have to repay, when you must start repaying, and what cancellation or deferment (postponement) provisions apply.
  • If you are offered a Federal Work Study award, what kinds of jobs are available, the hours, the duties, and the rate of pay.
  • To reconsider your aid offer, if you believe a mistake has been made or if your enrollment or financial circumstances have changed.
  • How we determine whether you are making satisfactory academic progress and what happens if you are not.

It is your responsibility to:

  • Review and consider all information about academic programs before enrolling.
  • Pay special attention to the application for financial aid, answer the questions completely and accurately, and submit the forms on time and to the right place.
  • Know and comply with all deadlines for applying or reapplying for financial aid.
  • Provide all documentation, corrections, and new information requested either by the OSFA or the agency to which your need analysis form was submitted.
  • Notify the OSFA of any information that changes after applying.
  • Read, understand and keep copies of all forms that you submit.
  • Repay any student loans you have (when you sign a promissory note, you are agreeing to repay the loan).
  • Attend entrance and exit loan counseling sessions if a Federal Direct Loan has been received.
  • Notify the university of a change in name, social security number, address, or attendance status (half-time, three-quarter-time, full-time, or less-than-half-time).
  • Satisfactorily perform the work agreed upon in a Federal Work-Study job.
  • Understand the university’s refund policy.
  • Conform to published behavioral guidelines during any contact with the OSFA. See the CMU Bulletin: Policies and Procedures Relating to Student Rights and Responsibilities.