Students interested in financial aid must submit a FAFSA application each year. By participating in federal financial aid programs, you are responsible for maintaining your eligibility and adhering to the federal requirements outlined in your FAFSA, financial aid offer, and the following guidelines:
- Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): You must make consistent progress in your program and comply with the SAP Policy. Once you complete your program requirements, you will no longer qualify for federal or state financial aid, and institutional aid options may be limited. Additionally, financial aid for repeating courses where credit has already been earned is limited.
- Enrollment Requirements: You must meet the enrollment requirements for the financial aid you have been offered. To qualify for most financial aid programs and loan deferment, you must be enrolled at least half-time in your program. Courses must be taken for credit and be part of your program requirements. Audited courses are not eligible for financial aid.
- FAFSA Updates: If any information on your FAFSA is incorrect or changes, you must inform the Office of Financial Aid.
- Additional Financial Aid: Notify the Office of Financial Aid if you receive any additional financial aid not listed in your financial aid offer. This includes external scholarships, grants, fellowships, assistantships, educational benefits, employee benefits, or tuition assistance. These resources will be factored into your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid, including tuition-restricted or need-based aid. If adjustments are necessary, you will receive an email notification.
- Course Participation: You must actively begin and participate in your courses each quarter to maintain eligibility for federal financial aid.
- Program Changes: If you change academic programs, notify the Office of Financial Aid so your federal aid eligibility can be reassessed.
- Academic Level Changes: If your academic grade level changes after your aid has been offered, and it impacts your eligibility, it is your responsibility to notify the Office of Financial Aid by completing the Request to Adjust Federal Student Loans form.
- Withdrawal Process: If you stop attending at any time, you must complete the university withdrawal process in Campus Connect.
- Loan and Aid Compliance: You must not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a refund on federal student aid. This also applies to parent borrowers of the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program.
- Documentation Requests: You must respond to any requests for additional documentation within the specified timeframe.
- Use of Funds: You must certify that any federal student aid funds received will be used solely for educational expenses related to your attendance during the academic year.
- Legal Obligations and Financial Aid Notifications: You must notify the Office of Financial Aid if you or a parent borrowing a Federal Direct PLUS Loan on your behalf:
- Are convicted of a drug offense while enrolled at DePaul and receiving financial aid.
- Are incarcerated or become incarcerated while enrolled at DePaul and receiving financial aid.
- Are convicted of or plead guilty/no contest to a crime involving fraud in obtaining federal student aid funds.
- Are subject to a lien for a debt owed to the United States.