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Financial Aid Rights

Applying for and accepting federal aid come with a combination of both rights and responsibilities for each student. Life West works with each student to help them become a knowledgably consumer and a savvy barrower.

Check out more about recommendations for smart financial planning while using financial aid.

Student Rights

A student has the right ask a school:

  • What financial assistance is available, including information on all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.
  • What the deadlines are for submitting applications for each of the financial aid programs.
  • What is the cost of attendance and what are the policies concerning refunds should a student withdraw.
  • What criteria are utilized in selecting financial aid recipients.
  • How a student’s financial need is determined.
  • What resources are available (student/spouse contribution, other aid, savings, etc.).
  • What portion of the financial aid received must be repaid and what portion is grant aid.
  • What is the school’s policy for maintaining satisfactory academic progress and the consequences for failing to meet those standards.

Student Responsibilities

A student has the responsibility to:

  • Review and consider all information about a school’s program before he/she enrolls.
  • Complete their financial aid forms accurately and timely. Intentional misreporting of information on application forms for federal financial aid is a violation of law and is considered a criminal offense subject to penalties under the U.S. Criminal Code.
  • Return all additional documentation, verification, corrections and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid Office or the agency to which he/she submitted his/her application.
  • Use federal and/or state student financial aid only to pay the cost of attending an institution of higher education.
  • Read and understand all forms that he/she is asked to sign, and keep copies of them.
  • Accept responsibility for all agreements he/she signs.
  • If he/she has a loan, notify the lender of changes in name, address, or school status.
  • Know and comply with the deadlines for application or reapplication for financial aid.

For more information, please review the following policies: