What are my rights as a student?

You have the right to ask a school:

  • The names of its accrediting and licensing organizations.
  • About its programs, its instructional laboratory and other physical facilities; and its faculty.
  • What the cost of attending is, and what its policy is on refunds to students who drop out.
  • What financial assistance is available, including information on all federal, state, local, private, and institutional financial aid programs.
  • What the procedures and deadlines are for submitting applications for each available financial aid program.
  • How it selects financial aid recipients.
  • How it determines your financial need. This process includes how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, travel, books and supplies, and personal and miscellaneous expenses are considered in your cost of education. It also includes the resources considered in calculating your need (such as parental contribution, other financial aid, assets, etc.).
  • How much of your financial need, as determined by the school, has been met.
  • How and when you will be paid.
  • To explain each type and amount of assistance in your financial aid package.
  • What the interest rate is on any student loan you have, the total amount you must repay, the length of time you have to repay, when you must start repayment, and what cancellation or deferment (postponement) provisions apply.
  • If you are offered a work-study job, what kind of job it is, what hours you must work, what your duties will be, what the rate of pay will be, and how and when you will be paid.
  • To reconsider your aid package, if you believe a mistake has been made, or if your enrollment or financial aid circumstances have changed.
  • How the school determines whether you are making satisfactory progress and what happens if you are not.
  • What special facilities and services are available to the handicapped.