• Student Affairs
• Financial Aid
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Staff
  • Forms
  • How To Apply for Financial Aid
  • Types of Aid
  • Scholarships
  • FAQs
  • Accept/Decline Awards
  • Regulations You Should Know
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
  • Helpful Resources
  • Summer Aid
  • TEACH Grant Program
  • Teacher Loan Forgiveness
  • Parent Loans
  • Distance Learning
  • Domestic Partner Rights
  • español

Federal Regulations You Should Know

What are my Academic Requirements to Receive Financial Aid?

CSUDH is required by federal law to establish, publish and apply reasonable standards for measuring whether a student is maintaining satisfactory academic progress toward a degree objective, and to ensure progress toward the degree for all periods of enrollment, whether or not the student has received financial aid. Read our Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for Financial Aid Recipients.

What Happens If I Withdraw or Take a Leave of Absence?

Financial Aid Recipients should consider the following information when deciding whether or not to withdraw, no longer attend classes (unofficial withdrawal) or take a leave of absence for any reason from the University.

The federal government has very specific rules on what types and how much aid a student can keep when he or she does not complete the semester enrollment. The basic concept is that students "earn" financial aid through time. Therefore, if a student stops attending classes before the end of the semester, a student may not have "earned" all of the financial aid received.

What If I Withdraw After the Semester Midpoint (50%)?

If a student withdraws late in the semester, or after being enrolled at least 50% of the semester, students have "earned" their aid and repayment is not required (student must repay a student loan based on the terms and conditions of that loan - just as if you graduate). Once you have completed more than 50% of the semester, then all aid is considered earned.

What If I Withdraw Before the Semester Midpoint (50%)?

If a student officially withdraws from the University prior to the midpoint (50%) of the semester, we will review the aid a student received and based on a formula and determine if the student can keep all or some of the aid received. If there is "unearned" financial aid, students will be required to repay the calculated amount. For example, a student completes 30% of the semester, then 30% of the aid originally received is considered earned.

What If I Unofficially Withdraw During the Semester?

At the end of the semester, the Financial Aid Office reviews student grades based on our Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. If a student enrolls and does not officially withdraw from the University, we will use the midpoint (50%) of the semester to calculate the students "earned and unearned" financial aid. If a student can prove they were in attendance after the 50% point of the semester, a recalculation of their financial aid eligibility will be performed.