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Student Rights and Responsibilities

Financial aid recipients have the right to clear information about their aid and are responsible for meeting the requirements associated with each program. This page explains how your financial aid is determined, what you must do to remain eligible, and where to find ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø’s detailed financial aid policies.

As a student, you have the right to:

1. Have complete information regarding fees, payment and refund policies available to you.
2. Have your education records and FAFSA information maintained, used, and disclosed in accordance with FERPA and other applicable privacy requirements.
3. Know how and when financial aid is disbursed, including the method and frequency of disbursements, and understand the basis for financial aid eligibility and award decisions.
4. Know the continued eligibility requirements for each financial aid program you receive.
5. Know ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø’s Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, how academic progress affects financial aid eligibility, and the process for reestablishing eligibility after financial aid eligibility is lost.
6. Know which types of financial aid must be repaid, the terms and conditions of any loan offered, the obligation to repay educational loans, available sample repayment information, and applicable entrance and exit counseling requirements.
7. Choose any eligible private education loan lender. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø will not deny your choice or cause unnecessary delay in loan certification because you select a lender that is not included on a ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø-provided lender list.
8. Know the general terms and conditions of Federal Work-Study employment, including how students are selected, how earnings are paid, and any limitations on the amount a student may earn.
9. Request an explanation of the funds in your financial aid offer and decline any portion of your offer.
10. Request a case-by-case review when documented special or unusual circumstances affect your financial aid eligibility. This may include significant changes in income, unusual medical expenses, loss of employment, dependency-status concerns, or other circumstances not fully reflected on the FAFSA. Contact ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø One Stop or the Office of Financial Aid for instructions and required documentation.

Student Responsibilities

When accepting any financial aid, you are expected to:

1. Monitor your account using (myrider.rider.edu) and meet your financial obligations to the University.
2. Know and comply with the rules governing all financial aid you receive.
3. Understand that your financial aid may be adjusted when your eligibility, enrollment, attendance, housing status, cost of attendance, outside resources, academic progress, program eligibility, or applicable federal, state, or institutional requirements change.
4. Read and understand all materials sent to you from the Office of Financial Aid.
5. Accept responsibility for all agreements you sign. We recommend you keep copies for your reference.
6. If you borrow a federal student loan, complete all required counseling and loan documents, understand the terms of the loan, repay the loan, and complete exit counseling when required.
7. Respond promptly to requests for information from ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø, the U.S. Department of Education, state financial aid agencies, lenders, scholarship providers, or other organizations administering your financial aid.
8. each year as early as possible and by ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø’s published priority deadline for maximum consideration for limited federal, state, and institutional funds. Filing after the priority deadline may reduce access to certain funds but does not necessarily eliminate eligibility for federal student aid.
9. Notify the Office of Financial Aid before changing your enrollment, program of study, housing status, or attendance. Adding, dropping, or withdrawing from courses may change your financial aid eligibility and may result in a balance due to the University.
10. Keep your mailing address, telephone number, email address, and other contact information current through using the View/Update Personal Information option.
11. Notify the Office of Financial Aid promptly of all outside scholarships, grants, tuition benefits, employer assistance, sponsorships, waivers, or other educational resources received for the applicable award year. Additional resources may require an adjustment to the financial aid offer.
12. Contact the Registrar’s Office and the Office of Financial Aid before withdrawing from the University. Withdrawal may reduce your financial aid, create a balance due, and trigger federal loan repayment or exit counseling requirements. Students requesting a leave of absence should follow ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø’s applicable leave procedures and consult the Office of Financial Aid regarding the effect on aid eligibility.
13. Your FAFSA information may be selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education or ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø may also request documentation needed to resolve conflicting or incomplete information. Submit all requested documents by the stated deadlines. Financial aid may be delayed, adjusted, or canceled if required documentation is not provided.
14. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø handles student education records in accordance with FERPA and other applicable privacy requirements. When disclosure of non-directory information to a scholarship donor requires student consent, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø will request a specific authorization identifying the information, purpose, and intended recipient.
15. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid.
16. Understand that some scholarships and grant funds may be taxable, depending on how the funds are used and the student’s individual circumstances. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø does not provide individual tax advice. Students should consult IRS Publication 970 or a qualified tax professional.

View more information on your Billing and Payment Rights and Responsibilities for payments, billing and deposits.