Financial Aid and Withdrawing from AState

Return to Title IV Funds Policy 

Federal Regulations mandate that students who receive federal financial aid, which may include Pell Grant, Supplemental Grant, ACG, Smart Grants, Subsidized Stafford loans, Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Parent Plus Loans and Grad Plus Loans and withdraw from the university during the first 59% of the semester should be aware that a portion of these funds may have to be repaid. A student who remains enrolled and in attendance beyond the 60% point is considered to have earned all of their financial aid for the semester. 

If the amount of aid disbursed to the student is greater than the amount the student earned, unearned funds must be returned to the federal programs. If the amount of aid disbursed to the student is less than the amount the student earned, and for which the student is otherwise eligible, the student will receive a post-withdrawal disbursement of earned aid. 

A-State will determine the withdrawal date based on the date the Registrar’s Office receives information that the student plans to withdraw. Students may withdraw from A-State by “Self Service Student” at any time during the scheduled registration periods. Students have until Sunday after the first week of classes in a regular semester or until Friday the first week of classes in a five week summer session term to withdraw. After this period has passed, students must obtain a withdrawal form in the Advisement Services Office located in Wilson Center. Students receiving financial aid must obtain an approval signature from the Financial Aid Office to complete the process. 

When a student ceases to attend classes but does not complete the official withdrawal process they are considered to have unofficially withdrawn. In the case of an unofficial withdrawal, the mid-point of the semester will be used for the calculation of a Title IV refund unless otherwise documented. 

A-State will return all unearned funds for which it is responsible within 45 days from the date the student is determined to have withdrawn. After the return of funds to Title IV financial aid is adjusted per the calculation, a balance may be owed on institutional charges. The Student Accounts Office will notify the student of any balances owed to A-State and it will be the student’s responsibility to pay any balance owed. 

The order the funds must be returned to Title IV programs is as follows: 

1. Unsubsidized Direct Loan Funds 
2. Subsidized Direct Loan Funds 
3. Direct Loan Grad PLUS 
4. Direct Loan PLUS Parent 
5. Pell Grants 
6. FSEOG 
7. TEACH Grant 

Repaying Borrowed Funds 

The Financial Aid Office uses the Federal Student Aid R2T4 Calculator to calculate the amount of money that you owe back if you withdraw. 

If you have questions or need additional information please contact your Financial Aid Counselor. 

Estimating What You Will Have to Repay 

The chart below estimates the percentage of federal aid that a student must return based upon when he/she withdraws. Please consider this financial responsibility should you be considering withdrawing from the university. This changes if we have inclement weather that causes us to close campus for five consecutive days. If this occurs then the dates will adjust to push back.

Fall 2026 – Full Term (One Break)

Payment Period Length

• Term dates: August 20 – December 12, 2025 = 115 days
• Break excluded: November 22 – November 30 = 9 days
  

Total Fall Term Calendar days = 106 days

• Each day: ≈ 0.94% earned aid (100 ÷ 106)
• 60% of 106 days ≈ Day 64 → October 22, 2025

• Once a student reaches 60%, they earn 100% of their aid.

  👉 Any withdrawal on or after October 22, 2025 = no return required

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (R2T4)

Spring 2026 – Full Term (One Break)

Payment Period Length

• Term dates: January 12 – May 8, 2026 = 117 days
• Break excluded: March 21 – March 29 = 9 days

Total Spring Term Calendar days = 108 days

• Each day ≈ 0.93% earned aid (100 ÷ 108)
• 60% point ≈ Day 65 → March 26, 2026

• Once a student reaches 60%, they earn 100% of their aid.

  👉 Any withdrawal on or after March 26, 2026 = no return required

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (R2T4)

Spring 2026 – Full Term (Two Breaks)

Payment Period Length

• Term dates: January 12 – May 8, 2026 = 117 days
• Break excluded: January 24 - February 1 = 9 days
• Break excluded: March 21 – March 29 = 9 days

Total Spring Term Calendar days = 99 days

• Each day = ~1.01% earned aid (100 ÷ 99)
• 60% point ≈ Day 60 → March 30, 2026

• Once a student reaches 60%, they earn 100% of their aid.

  👉 Any withdrawal on or after March 30, 2026 = no return required

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (R2T4)

Date Range	Aid% Earned	Aid% Unearned (Owed Back)
Jan 12 – Jan 16	1% – 5%	99% – 95%
Jan 17 – Jan 23	6% – 12%	94% – 88%
Jan 24 – Feb 1	🚫 Break (not counted)	—
Feb 2 – Feb 8	13% – 19%	87% – 81%
Feb 9 – Feb 15	20% – 26%	80% – 74%
Feb 16 – Feb 22	27% – 33%	73% – 67%
Feb 23 – Feb 28	34% – 39%	66% – 61%
Mar 1 – Mar 7	40% – 46%	60% – 54%
Mar 8 – Mar 14	47% – 53%	53% – 47%
Mar 15 – Mar 20	54% – 59%	46% – 41%
Mar 21 – Mar 29	🚫 Break (not counted)	—
Mar 30	60%	0% owed
Mar 31 – May 8	60%+	0% owed

 

Summer 2026 – Full Term 

Payment Period Length

• Term dates: May 26 – August 3, 2026
• Breaks: None
  

Total Summer Term Calendar days = 70 days

• Each day = ~1.43% per day (100 ÷ 70)
• 60% point ≈ Day 42 → July 06, 2026

• Once a student reaches 60%, they earn 100% of their aid.

  👉 Any withdrawal on or after July 06, 2026 = no return required

Date-Based Percentage Breakdown (R2T4)