Managing Your Financial Aid

You must reapply for financial aid each year.

Grants and institutional aid are free. Federal loans must be paid back.

You always have access to your financial aid

Academic participation and your final grades affect your financial aid.

Your financial aid is disbursed to your student account each quarter.

If your financial aid disbursements are more than your institutional charges, you will receive a financial aid refund.

Withdrawing from classes will result in return of funds and outstanding balances.

Federal student loans must be repaid beginning six months after you graduate or after you stop attending.

Humphreys University partners with Student Connections, a free service to you, to guide you on repayment of loans.

Awarding

All students—new and continuing—must complete a financial aid application annually to be considered for federal, state, and institutional aid. This section outlines the full application process, including submission of the FAFSA or CADAA, review and correction of application data, resolution of verification issues, and final acceptance of awards through the Student Financial Aid Portal.  

1. Select And Submit the Correct Application.

• U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens file the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov.
• California Dream Act applicants file the CADAA at CSAC.
• Humphreys University’s school code is 001212.
• Do not submit both applications; doing so will delay processing.

2. Create Or Confirm Required Credentials and Gather Information.

• FAFSA filers must obtain an FSA ID for the student and all required contributors (e.g., a parent for a dependent student).
• Information must match official records, including legal name, SSN/ITIN, and date of birth.
• Required data includes prior-prior year tax information, household size, number in college, and any untaxed income.

3. Provide IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) Consent and Submit Accurately.

All required contributors must consent to DDX to allow secure tax-data transfer. Without all required consents, federal eligibility cannot be determined. Applications should be reviewed carefully before submission.

4. File Early and Observe Key Dates.

Applications typically open October 1 for the upcoming academic year. Humphreys University’s preferred filing date is March 2nd to align with the Cal Grant priority deadline. Late filing may limit access to programs with annual funding caps.

5. Complete Cal Grant GPA Verification (For State Aid Consideration).

The Registrar certifies official GPAs for HUMPHREYS UNIVERSITY students who have completed at least 36 college credits. For recent high school graduates (within the last two years), a high school GPA is certified 40 HUMPHREYS UNIVERSITY CATALOG 2025/2026 when an official transcript is on file. In some cases, students may need GPA certification from a prior institution.

6. Review the FAFSA Submission Summary and Make Necessary Corrections.

Students must carefully review the FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly SAR) for missed questions, inconsistent marital status, missing tax data, and incorrect grade level or dependency answers. The FAFSA serves as the foundation for awarding; to avoid delays, students should ensure all information is accurate and complete.

7. Respond Promptly to Requests (Verification and Conflicting Information).

Students selected for verification (34 CFR §§668.51–668.57) must submit requested documentation, such as IRS transcripts, W-2s, or non-filer statements through the Student Financial Aid Portal. Aid cannot be finalized or disbursed until verification and resolution of any C-codes or conflicting information.

8. Activate And Use the Student Financial Aid Portal.

Upon receipt of application data, Student Financial Aid Portal activation instructions are sent to the student’s Humphreys University email. The Student Financial Aid Portal is used to review required documents, securely upload files, and monitor application and award status. HUMPHREYS UNIVERSITY email serves as the official channel for all financial aid communications.

9. Accept Awards.

Upon completion of required items, the University packages financial aid awards and emails an Award Offer Notification to the student’s HUMPHREYS UNIVERSITY email. Awards may then be accepted, declined, or adjusted in the Student Financial Aid Portal.

10. Complete Federal Direct Loan Requirements (If Borrowing).

Students who choose to borrow federal loans should do so wisely, keeping tuition and required educational expenses as the priority. Title IV funds may only be used for educationally related costs, such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, and transportation—not for personal purchases such as vehicles, vacations, or non-educational expenses.

To receive Federal Direct Loan, students must:

• Complete Entrance Counseling First-time borrowers must complete Entrance Counseling to understand loan terms, repayment obligations, and borrower rights.
• Sign The Master Promissory Note (MPN)

Students must sign an MPN for each loan type:

• One for Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans
• A separate one for PLUS Loans (if applicable)
• Maintain Eligibility

Students must be enrolled at least half-time and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to receive and retain loan disbursements.

11. Monitor Borrowing and Aid History Students may review their federal loan balances, grant history, and loan servicer information at StudentAid.gov.

---

Managing Awards and Borrowing Wisely

Students manage awards in the Student Financial Aid Portal, where they may accept all offers initially and request changes later. Declining a loan generally does not increase other forms of aid. Award actions must be completed by University deadlines, and packages may be adjusted to remain within the Cost of Attendance (COA) and comply with federal and state rules. 

---

Annual Renewal (Continuing Eligibility)

Financial aid is not automatically renewed. Students must apply each year, meet all eligibility requirements, and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

• File the FAFSA (or CADAA) annually; Humphreys University’s preferred filing date is March
• Resolve any holds or outstanding documents promptly.
• Expect that changes in SAI, enrollment, or program may alter eligibility and award amounts for the new year.

---

Verification and Document Resolution

If selected by the U.S. Department of Education or the University for verification, Humphreys University must confirm FAFSA information before determining eligibility. Financial aid awards will not be packaged or disbursed until verification, and any conflicting information (including federal comment codes/C-codes) is fully resolved. Students who do not complete verification by published deadlines may have aid canceled or deferred to a later term. (34 CFR §§668.51–668.57)

---

Where to Find Instructions 
All required items and step-by-step directions are posted in the Student Financial Aid Portal → Required Documents. The Student Financial Aid Portal specifies acceptable document types, signature requirements, due dates, and each item’s status (Satisfied/Incomplete/Needed).

---

What May Be Requested
Documentation may include an IRS Tax Return Transcript or signed federal tax return, W-2s, non-filer statements, verification of untaxed income, proof of household size/number in college, identity/statement of educational purpose, proof of high-school completion (if required), and materials needed to clear C-codes or other conflicts. Consent to the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) reduces—but does not eliminate— the need for documents.

---

How to Submit
Upload all items securely through the Student Financial Aid Portal. Documents must be legible, complete, and signed where applicable. Do not email tax documents.

---

Tax Transcripts
When an IRS transcript is required, the specific retrieval method and link will be provided within Required Documents. Follow those instructions precisely.

---

Timing and Corrections
Review begins when all required items are received. If documentation warrants changes, the University will submit allowable FAFSA corrections (or instruct the student to do so). Resulting adjustments to the Student Aid Index (SAI) or eligibility may increase or decrease awards. Packaging will proceed only after verification and conflicts are resolved.

---

Outcome Notification
When verification is complete, the University emails a Financial Aid Offer Notification to the student’s Humphreys University account and updates the Required Documents and Awards sections in the Student Financial Aid Portal.

Disbursements

Humphreys University applies financial aid directly to student accounts to cover authorized charges, following federal disbursement regulations and institutional schedules.

Disbursements are made according to program type and student status:

• Federal Direct Loans are typically disbursed in two quarterly installments.
• Grants and scholarships follow the University’s published disbursement calendar.

Students receive disbursement notifications via their Humphreys University email. Each notification includes:

• The disbursement date and amount,
• The student’s right to cancel all or part of a loan,
• Instructions on how and when to request cancellation. A disbursement notification does not guarantee a credit balance.

Quarterly Disbursement Schedule:

• Undergraduate (Continuing Students): Weeks 3 and 6 of the quarter.
• Undergraduate (First-Year, First-Time Direct Loan Borrowers): Subject to a 30-day disbursement delay in accordance with 34 CFR § 685.303(b)(5).
• Graduate (Master’s Programs): Weeks 3 and 6 of the quarter.
• Juris Doctor (JD Program): Weeks 1 and 6 of the quarter.

Exit Counseling

Exit counseling is a federal requirement for all recipients of federal student loans. It serves as a transition point from borrowing to repayment and ensures that students understand their loan obligations, repayment options, and strategies to avoid delinquency or default.

When Is Exit Counseling Required?
Students must complete exit counseling when any of the following occurs:

• Graduation
• Withdrawal from the University (even if planning to return)
• Reduction in enrollment to less than half-time
• Transfer to another institution
• Temporary leave from enrollment (e.g., taking one quarter off)

What to Expect
Exit counseling typically takes 20 to 30 minutes and must be completed online via the Federal Student Aid website:
Complete Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling

The session includes personalized loan details, repayment calculators, and budgeting tools to support financial planning. Students are strongly encouraged to retain a copy of their confirmation page for personal records.

Financial Aid Refunds (Credit Balances)

When financial aid disbursements exceed institutional charges, Humphreys University issues a refund of the resulting credit balance. Refunds are processed in compliance with federal regulations and are not held by the University beyond the allowable timeframe (34 CFR §668.164).

Timing of refunds: Credit balances are refunded within 14 days of their appearance on the student account. Refunds most commonly occur after the second installment of aid is posted.

Eligibility for refunds: Not all students receive refunds in every disbursement cycle. All University charges must be satisfied first. It is possible to receive a refund and still owe a balance due to:

• Schedule changes
• New charges posted after the refund is generated
• Prior-term balances
• Ineligible coursework

Parent PLUS refunds: The parent borrower determines whether a credit balance is issued to the student or to the parent. If issued to the parent, the University mails a paper check to the PLUS borrower’s address of record.

Refund composition: Financial aid refunds may consist of a combination of federal and state grants, scholarships, institutional aid, and Federal Direct Loans.

Refund Check Mailing Schedule

Professional Judgement

(HEA Sec. 479A; 34 CFR §668.53)
Professional Judgment refers to the authority granted to Financial Aid Administrators to make case-by-case adjustments to a student’s financial aid eligibility based on documented special or unusual circumstances. These adjustments may impact the Student Aid Index (SAI), Cost of Attendance (COA), or dependency status, and must comply with.

Categories of Professional Judgment

1. Special Circumstances – SAI or Cost of Attendance (COA) Adjustments

Adjustments may be considered when a student’s current financial situation is significantly different from the prior-prior year income reported on the FAFSA.

SAI Adjustments may increase eligibility for need-based aid (e.g., Pell Grant, Subsidized Loans). Reasons include:

• Death of a parent or spouse
• Divorce or separation
• Significant loss of income or employment
• Loss of child support

COA Adjustments may increase the student’s budget to allow for additional aid. Examples include:

• Uninsured medical or dental expenses
• Disability-related expenses
• Dependent care costs
• Unusually high course load requirements

2. Unusual Circumstances – Dependency Status Overrides

A student may be reclassified from dependent to independent if parental contact or support is unavailable due to documented unusual circumstances. Examples include:

• Abusive family environment
• Parental incarceration
• Refugee or asylum status
• Abandonment or estrangement

Note: A dependency override cannot be granted solely because:

• Parents refuse to contribute to educational expenses
• Parents will not provide FAFSA or verification information
• Parents do not claim the student on their tax return
• The student is financially self-sufficient without other unusual circumstances

Application Process

To request a Professional Judgment review, students must:

• Submit a completed FAFSA for the applicable aid year.
• Complete the University’s Professional Judgment Request Form.
• Provide supporting documentation relevant to the request.
• Complete verification if the FAFSA is selected (34 CFR §§668.51–668.57).

Once all documentation is received, the Financial Aid Office will review the request and notify the student of the outcome via their Humphreys University email. Students may track the status and upload documents through the Student Financial Aid Portal.

Important Notes

• Submission of a PJ request does not guarantee approval.
• Each request is reviewed individually and must comply with federal and institutional policies.
• Decisions are final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.

Students manage awards in the Student Financial Aid Portal, where they may accept all offers initially and request changes later. Declining a loan generally does not increase other forms of aid. Award actions must be completed by University deadlines, and packages may be adjusted to remain within the Cost of Attendance (COA) and comply with federal and state rules.

Repayment

All federal student loans must be repaid. Repayment begins six months after graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment (known as the grace period). Borrowers may choose from several repayment plans designed to ensure affordability.

• Income-driven repayment plans based on income and family size.
• Standard and extended repayment plans provide predictable fixed payments.
• Interest accrues during all non-payment periods; if unpaid, it may be capitalized and added to the principal balance.
• Borrowers may view balances, explore repayment options, and manage loans through StudentAid.gov.

Student Academic Participation & Progress

Academic Participation

Prior to releasing financial aid, Humphreys University confirms Title IV eligibility at the time of disbursement, including verification that the student has begun academic participation in the enrollment for which aid is awarded. If a student fails to begin attendance, financial aid must be canceled or returned, and the student remains responsible for any resulting balance.

Academic engagement is defined by federal regulation and must involve substantive academic activity. Examples include:

• Submitting an assignment or exam
• Participating in a faculty-directed discussion
• Engaging in documented interaction with faculty regarding course content

Logging in alone does not qualify as academic participation

Participation Verification by Program Type

• Undergraduate and Graduate (Non-Attendance-Taking Programs): Participation is verified through academically related activities such as submitting coursework, engaging in faculty-led discussions, or documented interaction with faculty.
• Juris Doctor (Attendance-Taking Program):

SAP (Student Academic Progress)

Undergraduate, Teaching Credential, And Graduate

SAP is evaluated quarterly at the end of each term, including terms in which no financial aid is received.

• Eligible: All standards met; the student remains aid eligible.
• Warning: One or more SAP standards are not met; the student remains eligible for financial aid for one additional quarter.
• Ineligible: Standards still not met after a Warning term; aid eligibility is suspended until Financial Aid SAP is restored.

Example: A student attempts 12 credits and completes 4 (PACE = 33.3%) with a 2.00 cumulative GPA.  PACE requirement is not met → Warning next quarter. If PACE is still not met the following quarter → Ineligible status.

Juris Doctor Students

SAP is evaluated annually at the end of the academic year (three consecutive quarters), based on the student’s academic-year start term.

• Eligible: All SAP standards are met.
• Ineligible/Suspended: One or more SAP standards are not met; financial aid eligibility is suspended.
  Note: Warning status is not available for JD students due to annual evaluation.

Student Connections

To support successful loan repayment, Humphreys University partners with Student Connections, an independent borrower-assistance service provided at no cost to students. Services are delivered with the utmost confidentiality and security under the University’s vendor agreement and applicable privacy requirements. Student Connections is not a loan servicer and will never ask for your FSA ID password; sensitive actions are completed through StudentAid.gov.

What Student Connections Provides

• Explains repayment responsibilities and timelines when a borrower graduates, withdraws, transfers, or drops below half-time (including taking a single quarter off).
• Compares repayment plans (including income-driven plans), estimates payments, and assists with IDR applications and annual recertification.
• Guides borrowers on deferment/forbearance, consolidation, delinquency resolution, and default prevention; provides basics on forgiveness programs (e.g., PSLF).
• Help troubleshoot communication with loan servicers and set up servicer accounts and autopay.

How to access

• Online: My.StudentConnections.com
• Phone: (866) 311-9450
• Outreach: Borrower Advocates are available to assist students by email, text, or phone free of charge. Student participation is voluntary.

Withdrawal and Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4)

(34 CFR §668.22; related timing rules in §668.21 and §668.164)

What Counts as a Withdrawal

A complete withdrawal occurs when a student ceases attendance in all courses in a quarter, whether through the official process or unofficially. Financial aid consequences differ from simply dropping one or more, but not all courses.

• Official withdrawal. The student initiates withdrawal under the University’s published policy; the withdrawal date is the date the request is submitted/processed, unless a later last date of academic participation is documented. 45 HUMPHREYS UNIVERSITY CATALOG 2025/2026
• Unofficial withdrawal (no passing grades). If a student begins the quarter but earns no passing grade and does not officially withdraw, the University must treat the student as an unofficial withdrawal and perform an R2T4 calculation using the last date of academic participation (or midpoint if none can be documented).
• Failure to begin attendance. If a student never begins attendance in any course for the quarter, all Title IV funds must be returned; no aid is earned.

Program Notes on Documenting Participation.

• Undergraduate & Graduate (non-attendance-taking programs): Academic participation is an academically related activity (e.g., submitting an assignment or exam; substantive, faculty-directed interaction). Logging in alone does not qualify.
• Juris Doctor (attendance-taking program): Participation is documented class attendance recorded by the program.

How Earned and Unearned Aid Are Determined

When a student withdraws after beginning attendance, the University calculates the percentage of the quarter completed to determine the percentage of Title IV aid earned.

• If more than 60% of the quarter is completed, 100% of Title IV aid for the term is earned.
• If 60% or less is completed, the unearned portion of aid must be returned to Title IV programs.
• If the calculation indicates eligibility for aid that was not disbursed prior to withdrawal, the student may be eligible for a Post-Withdrawal Disbursement (PWD).

Timing and Required Actions

• The University identifies unofficial withdrawals (no passing grades) within 30 days of the last scheduled final exam for the quarter.
• The University returns unearned funds within 45 days of the date of determination that the student withdrew.
• Post-Withdrawal Disbursements:
  1. Grants may be credited to outstanding institutional charges or paid to the student.
  2. Loans require the student’s (or parents, for PLUS) affirmative confirmation before disbursement.
  3. PWDs must be offered and disbursed within federal timelines.

Order Of Return of Title IV Funds

Returns are made in the order required by regulation: Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct PLUS Loan (Parent or Grad), Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, and then other Title IV programs (e.g., Iraq-Afghanistan Service Grant, TEACH Grant, if applicable).

Title IV credit balances when a student withdraws- If a Title IV credit balance exists when a student withdraws, the University must first complete the R2T4 calculation. The normal 14-day credit-balance clock is suspended during R2T4 review and restarts when the final Title IV credit balance is determined. Any remaining Title IV credit balance is issued within 14 days after R2T4 is completed.

Coordination of Title IV Returns with State and Institutional Policies

State grants and institutional scholarships/waivers may also require adjustment upon withdrawal. Humphreys University applies state program rules (e.g., Cal Grant) and institutional policies in coordination with federal Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4 results.

These processes are distinct:

• Title IV returns follow a prorated calculation based on the percentage of the quarter completed at the time of withdrawal. If less than 60% of the quarter is completed, the unearned portion of federal aid must be returned.
• Tuition refunds are calculated separately under the University’s Tuition Refund Policy and posted to the student account. A tuition refund does not reduce the amount of Title IV funds that must be returned.
• It is possible to receive a tuition refund yet still owe a balance after R2T4.

Unofficial Withdrawals

Students who withdraw unofficially are not eligible for a tuition refund. Title IV returns remain separate from any tuition refund determinations, and all resulting balances are the student’s responsibility.

Consequences and student responsibilities

Withdrawal may negatively affect Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and future aid eligibility. Any balance due after Title IV returns and tuition-refund calculations must be paid before future registration or access to services is restored. Direct Loan borrowers who withdraw will be required to complete Exit Counseling.

Example A – Official Withdrawal

A student officially withdraws on day 28 of a 75-day quarter (approximately 37% completed). The student was charged $3,000 in tuition and received $3,450 in federal financial aid:

• Pell Grant: $1,200
• Direct Subsidized Loan: $1,750
• Direct Unsubsidized Loan: $500

At the time of withdrawal, the student’s account balance was $0. The school applied a 50% tuition refund, posting a $1,500 credit to the student’s account.

Based on federal regulations, the student earned 37.3% of their aid ($1,288). The remaining $2,162 is unearned and must be returned to the federal government.

The school is required to return the lesser of:

• The total unearned aid ($2,162), or
• The unearned portion of institutional charges ($3,000 × 62.7% = $1,880)

School Return Amount: $1,880
This amount is returned to federal programs in the required order, starting with loans. The school repays $500 of the Unsubsidized Loan and $1,380 of the Subsidized Loan on the student’s behalf.

Because the student’s account had no outstanding charges, the $1,880 returned to Title IV becomes a new charge. After applying the $1,500 tuition refund credit, the student owes the school:

Final Balance Owed to the School:
$1,880 (aid returned) − $1,500 (refund credit) = $380

Federal Repayment Responsibility:

The student may also be required to repay up to $282 in unearned aid not returned by the school. This amount may include a portion of the Pell Grant and is subject to federal grant repayment protections.

Example B – Unofficial Withdrawal

A student earns no passing grades during a 75-day quarter and does not officially withdraw. The last documented date of academic participation (LDA) is day 15, indicating that approximately 20% of the quarter was completed. The student was charged $3,000 in tuition and received $2,000 in federal financial aid:

• Pell Grant: $1,000
• Direct Subsidized Loan: $1,000

At the time of withdrawal, the student’s account balance was $0. No tuition refund is issued for an unofficial withdrawal.

Based on federal regulations, the student earned 20% of their aid ($400). The remaining $1,600 is unearned and must be returned to the federal government.

The school is required to return the lesser of:

• The total unearned aid ($1,600), or
• The unearned portion of institutional charges ($3,000 × 80% = $2,400)

School Return Amount: $1,600

This amount is returned to federal programs in the required order, starting with loans. The school repays $1,000 of the Subsidized Loan and $600 of the Pell Grant on the student’s behalf.

Because the student’s account had no outstanding charges and no refund was issued, the $1,600 returned to Title IV becomes a new charge. The student is responsible for repaying this amount to the university.

Final Balance Owed to the School: $1,600

Federal Repayment Responsibility:

No additional federal repayment is required beyond the $1,600 returned by the school. The student’s Pell Grant overpayment is covered by the school’s return.

Assistance

A sample R2T4 calculation can be provided upon request. Students considering withdrawal should contact Student Services and the Office of Financial Aid in advance for an individualized discussion regarding academic and financial impacts.