Student Rights and Responsibilities
Student financial aid recipients have important responsibilities and rights to be aware of.
As a student financial aid recipient, it is your responsibility to:
- Reapply for financial aid each year by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submitting all required documents to Financial Aid Office. Financial aid is not automatically renewed each year.
- Complete and submit application materials within required or preferred timeframes and check the Financial Aid Student Portal to ensure all required forms have been submitted.
- Submit all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the Office of Financial Aid or the federal processing agency to which you submitted your application.
- Read and understand all forms that you sign and retain a copy for your records.
- Comply with the provisions of any promissory note and all other agreements you sign.
- Know and comply with the federal, state, and institutional rules governing the financial aid you receive. These rules include but are not limited to, not being in default on any prior educational loan and not owing a refund on a federal grant due to repayment.
- Notify the Office of Financial Aid of any student financial aid you receive from other sources not provided through the FAFSA. Receiving additional assistance after the initial assessment of your award package may cause your aid to be adjusted.
- Use student financial aid proceeds solely for direct educational costs and related living expenses.
- Be aware of NAU’s Refund policy and Federal Return to Title IV Funds policy.
- Know the implications that dropping a course or withdrawing from NAU will have on your student financial aid.
- Repay all loans in accordance with the terms of your signed promissory note. Loan borrowers are responsible for notifying their lender if any of the following occurs before the loan is repaid: change of address, graduation, withdrawal from NAU or less than half-time attendance, name change, or transfer to another institution.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
- Keep your residing and permanent addresses current with the Registrar’s Office.
- Check your school email account often for important updates and requests sent via email.
As a student financial aid recipient, you have the right to:
- Know the correct procedures for applying for student financial aid, the cost of attendance, and the types of aid available.
- Know how financial need is determined, how reasonable academic progress is determined, and what you have to do to continue receiving aid.
- Know the type and amount of assistance you will receive, how much of your financial need has been met, and how and when you will receive your financial aid funds.
- View the contents of your student financial aid file, in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Know the conditions of any loan you accept.
- Know the terms, conditions, and pay rate for any student job you accept.
- Appeal any decision with the Office of Financial Aid in regard to your financial aid application.
