Rights & Responsibilities

Federal, state, and institutional resources form a partnership with your own commitment to meet your educational costs. As a student financial aid recipient and partner in this relationship you have a number of responsibilities and rights.

Rights

  • Have all records and data submitted with your application for financial aid treated as confidential information, as prescribed by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
  • Have an explanation of the award process.
  • Be notified of changes in your financial aid status and the reasons for those changes.
  • Know the conditions of any loan you accept.
  • Know the terms, conditions, and pay rate for any student job you can accept.

Responsibilities

  • Complete and submit application materials to the appropriate agencies within required or recommended time frames.
  • Read all materials sent to you from the Office of Student Financial Services and other agencies awarding you aid. Read, understand, and keep copies of all forms you sign.
  • Know and comply with the rules governing the aid you receive. These rules include but are not limited to: –You must not be in default on any prior educational loan. You must not owe a refund on a Federal Pell Grant or a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant due to repayment.
  • Provide additional documentation, federal tax returns, W-2’s, and any additional information if requested by the Office of Student Financial Services.
  • Comply with the provisions of any promissory note and all other agreements you sign including repaying your student loans.
  • Complete the registration process each term by the end of the drop/add period in order to ensure availability of all student aid funds you have been awarded. Note: Most aid programs are limited and may be subject to cancellation if your registration process is not completed.
  • Use financial aid proceeds solely for direct educational costs and related living expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
  • Report private sources of student financial aid to the Suffolk University Office of Student Financial Services.
  • Report any changes in your status: marital, academic, enrollment, residential, or name status.
  • Keep your local and permanent addresses current with the University Registrar.