Based on the Re-authorization Act of 1998, students must remain enrolled in college in order to earn the aid awarded.  Withdrawing from college can negatively impact all financial aid eligibility.  Following are four major ways that the federal financial aid eligibility can be affected by withdrawing.  To see the effects of withdrawal on state aid, please see the information on those specific programs.

1. Students may have to repay some of the financial aid funds (such as the Federal Pell Grant or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)) received for that semester.  This may mean balances due by the student to both the college and the Department of Education.  Financial Aid will perform the calculation to determine if repayment is required.  This calculation cannot be performed while the student is in the office during the withdrawal process because data from other areas of the college must be gathered.  Students will be informed by mail in approximately three weeks from the date of the complete withdrawal.  Be sure you have a valid permanent address on file.
    
   If a student owes a repayment, he/she cannot receive federal financial aid funds at any school (not just Piedmont Technical College ) until that repayment has been made.
   
2. Students could lose academic eligibility for future financial aid.  Students are required to make "satisfactory academic progress" to continue receiving aid.  While withdrawals may not hurt a student's GPA, it can hurt a student's completion rate.  Please see the college's Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress policy for further information. 
   
3. Student loans may enter "grace period" or repayment.  If a student leaves school or drops below half time status, the student will receive information about repayment.  However, a student is responsible for beginning repayment, even if the student did not receive information on when the repayment begins.  Refer to the exit interview materials, U.S. Department of Education Student Guide or contact your lender to determine how soon student loan payments will be required.  Exit loan counseling is required for any student receiving a loan when a student completely withdraws from the college.
   
4. Upcoming student loan disbursements are cancelled.  For example, if a student withdraws after receiving the fall disbursement, the spring disbursement of the loan is automatically cancelled.  Even if the student is returning for the spring semester, a new loan application for the spring semester must be processed.  Upon complete withdrawal, Exit Loan Counseling is required for any student receiving a loan at the college.
   
5. Before withdrawing, please talk with a Financial Aid Officer to find out what your options are and how withdrawing will affect you and your financial aid.