Withdrawal and Return to Title IV (R2T4)
In accordance with federal regulations, students that receive federal financial aid and withdraw from classes for the semester may be required to repay any unearned grant funds that they have received. If a student drops from or withdrawals from a portion of their classes an adjustment may need to be made to the student’s subsequent disbursements or the student may be required to repay a portion or the entire grant(s) that were received. The amount will be calculated by College of the Desert using the formula specified by federal government. Funds are returned to the appropriate federal program based on the percentage of unearned aid using the Federal formula. To learn more information, please review College of the Desert’s Drops, Withdrawals and Repayments of Funds.
All calculations are based upon the withdrawal date as determined by the Admissions and records Office. College of the Desert uses the following definitions with withdrawal date:
- Official Withdrawal
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the date the student notifies the school of his/her intent to withdraw.
- Unofficial Withdrawal
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the last date of recorded attendance as documented by the institution or the midpoint of the payment period.
The Return to Title IV calculation is performed to determine any amount the Institution may owe, and/or the student; as well as any required offer of a post withdrawal disbursement. If the student owes any money or if the student is entitled to additional funds, the appropriate letters are sent to the student (one indicating the amount of funds they need to return and the timeframe and manner in which to do so; or one offering them a “post withdrawal” disbursement). The calculations and the letters are sent within 30 days of the date the institution’s determination that the student withdrew.
Order of Return
The order of return is as prescribed by Federal Regulations:
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Federal Pell Grants
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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Post Withdrawal Disbursement (PWD)
If you did not receive all of the funds that you earned, you may be due a post withdrawal disbursement. This means that you are eligible for financial aid that you have not received. Students are notified within 30 days of their withdrawal date of their eligibility for a PWD and a disbursement will happen within 45 days.
Student Owes Funds
If the R2T4 Calculation determines that a student owes money, the student will be notified by mail that repayment needs to be made.
The student may repay College of the Desert, one of the following ways:
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Full and immediate repayment to College of the Desert;
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Repayment arrangements to College of the Desert within 30 days from the notification date;
If the student fails to take one of the positive actions listed above during the 30-day period, the overpayment will be reported to NSLDS and may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education’s Borrower Services for collection. A student that has been referred to the U.S. Department of Education’s Borrower Services, can reach the U.S. Department of Education’s Borrower Services at the following number 800-621-3115.
