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Financial Aid Repayment Obligations

 

Dropping Classes or Withdrawing

If you drop classes or withdraw from Idaho State University—whether officially, unofficially, or due to a medical reason—you may be required to repay some or all of your financial aid. Review the conditions below to understand when repayment may be necessary.

 

When Repayment May Be Required

You may need to repay financial aid if:

  • You withdraw from all classes or fail to complete the semester. This includes official, unofficial, or medical withdrawals. Please see ISU’s Return of Title IV Funds Policy.
  • You receive a PELL Grant but:
    • Never attend class,
    • Drop below the required credit level before the Census Date (Fall, Spring, Summer session, or your first day of classes—whichever is later).
  • Your award was based on inaccurate or incomplete information.
  • An error occurred in determining your eligibility or award amount.
  • You fail to comply with the Student Rights and Responsibilities for financial aid recipients.

 

Financial Aid Repayment Details

If you never attend any classes, you must repay all financial aid received. Without class attendance, you are not eligible for financial aid.

Loan and grant funds applied to your account will be removed and returned to the federal government. You must repay any resulting balance within 30 days to the ISU Student Financial Services Office. You can contact them at (208) 282-2900 or email stufees@isu.edu.

If you attend and then withdraw, your repayment amount is calculated based on:

  • The number of days you attended,
  • Your official withdrawal date,
  • The type and amount of aid you received.

This determines what portion of your aid you earned and what must be returned by both you and the University to federal aid programs.

 

Refunds and Return of Title IV Funds

Federal regulations require ISU to calculate the amount of aid that must be returned if a student withdraws. This may result in a balance you must repay to ISU, beyond any tuition refund.

The Return of Title IV Funds calculation is case-specific and generated after your withdrawal or schedule changes.

 

Loan Repayment

If you withdraw or drop below half-time enrollment (6 credits for undergraduates, 5 for graduates), you must complete Loan Exit Counseling for your federal loans.

 

PELL Grant Considerations

PELL Grant awards are tied to your enrollment and attendance. You may be required to repay a portion—or all—of your PELL Grant if you drop credits or fail to attend classes.

To avoid repayment:

1. Census Date Freezes Enrollment

Your PELL eligibility is locked based on your enrollment as of:

  • 10th day of class – Fall & Spring semesters
  • 5th day of class – Summer session

Classes added after the census date do not count toward your PELL eligibility—even if approved by ISU (e.g., internships, workshops).

2. Class Attendance Is Required

Your PELL Grant is based on actual attendance. If you never attend or drop before a class begins, your award will be recalculated.

Your MyISU TouchNet account will reflect any changes (allow up to five business days).

3. Be Strategic With Schedule Changes

  • If you need to adjust your schedule, add classes before dropping others—preferably in the same session on MyISU.
  • Dropping a class first may lower your PELL award and result in unpaid balances or late fees.