/Institutions/Morton-College/json/2023-2024/Catalog-local.json

/Institutions/Morton-College/json/2023-2024/Catalog.json

Application Process

Students may apply for federal, state and institutional financial aid for the 2022-2023 school year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Complete the FAFSA online, by visiting: http://fafsa.ed.gov/

There is no charge for completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if a Web site suggest charges, please contact the Financial Aid Office at Morton College to verify the correct Web site. Before completing the FAFSA, apply for an electronic FSA ID at: http://fsaid.ed.gov. If the application includes parental data, the parent must also apply for an FSA ID.

The FSA ID is an unique user name and passwords a unique number assigned to the student and parent, if applicable by the U.S. Department of Education to serve as a legal electronic signature that can be used to sign the FAFSA online.

Please be sure to enter the Morton College Federal School Code 001728 on the FAFSA.

Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA beginning Oct. 1 of the fall prior to their expected first enrollment. While the Financial Aid Office will process applications throughout the year, students should apply as soon as possible after Oct. 1 due to the limited funding of certain grant programs.

Once the FAFSA is received students must submit all required paperwork, documents and meet important deadlines in order to have financial aid processed. Students are notified of needed.

The following are steps required to complete the financial aid process at Morton College:

• Complete your FAFSA (If assistance is needed, please Contact a Financial Aid Advisor at (708) 656-8000, Ext. 2428).

Once the FAFSA is received students must submit all required paperwork, documents and meet important deadlines in order to have financial aid processed. Students are notified of needed.

The following are steps required to complete the financial aid process at Morton College:

• Complete your FAFSA (If assistance is needed, please Contact a Financial Aid Advisor at (708) 656-8000, Ext. 2428).
• Complete a Morton College Financial Aid Data Form and the Rights and Responsibility form. These forms can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or may be printed from the Financial Aid section of Morton College website at www.morton.edu.

Eligible students must have all paperwork turned in to the Financial Aid Office by June 11th to be considered for a fall semester book voucher and Dec. 7th for a spring semester book voucher. Since processing financial aid can take up to eight weeks, students must plan well in advance of the time they will begin their course of study.

Student Eligibility

To receive financial aid from any of the federal or state programs, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• May need to demonstrate financial need (Check program requirements).
• Have an official high school transcript or High School Equivalency Certificate on file.
• Have a valid Social Security number. If you need a Social Security number, you can apply at www.ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213. For more information, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (708) 656-8000, Ext. 2428.
• Be enrolled as a student working toward an eligible degree or certificate program (Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more details).
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Meet satisfactory academic progress standards as explained in this chapter.
• Certify you are not in default on a federal student loan and you do not owe money on a federal student grant as a result of an over award.
• Comply with the Selective Service registration, if required. If you are a male, age 18 through 25, and have not registered, you can give the Selective Service permission to register you by checking a box on the FAFSA. You can also register at www.sss.gov or by calling 1-847-688-6888.
• You may not be eligible to receive federal student aid if you’ve been convicted under federal or state law of selling or possessing illegal drugs. To find out your financial aid eligibility, call 1-800-4-FED-AID or go to www.fafsa.ed.gov, click on “worksheets” in the left column, then select “Drug Worksheet.”
• Must be actively pursuing their coursework throughout the semester.

Financial Aid Programs at Morton College

Federal Pell Grant — A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added.

Federal Work-Study Program — The Federal Work-Study Program provides on and off-campus jobs for students needing financial aid for their educational expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.

Federal Direct Loan Program — Students can receive low interest loans from the Department of Education to help pay for educational expenses not covered by grants or scholarships. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on how to apply.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) — The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be considered first for a FSEOG. Just like Pell Grants, the FSEOG does not have to be repaid.

Illinois Award Programs — The Monetary Award Program (MAP) does not need to be repaid. The MAP grant does not cover audited courses, non-credit courses, continuing education courses and lab-course fees. Students can apply for this grant by completing the FAFSA. Funding for the MAP grant is limited. Students are encouraged to apply early for this grant to ensure full-year consideration.

Scholarship Opportunities — Morton College offers prospective and current students the opportunity to apply for scholarships. There are many scholarships available with various qualifications. Updated lists of available scholarships are published in the month of November.

Veterans’ Educational Benefits

Morton College is dedicated in helping veterans obtain educational benefits through a variety of programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Our institution is approved to process the following educational benefits for qualifying students:

Illinois Veterans’ Grant (IVG) is a grant that pays tuition and allowable fees to anyone who has served at least one year of federal active duty honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces or who is serving in the Armed Forces. Recipients may use IVG for a maximum of 120 eligibility units which is the equivalent of four academic years of full-time enrollment. Students must complete an Illinois Veteran Grant application and submit with a copy of the DD214 member 4. It will be mailed to ISAC. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office, Room 204, Building B.

Illinois National Guard grant (ING) - is a grant that covers tuition and certain fees at any Illinois public college, university and community college. Qualified applicants must be an Illinois National Guard member and completed one full year of service in the Illinois National Guard. Recipients may use ING for a maximum of 120 eligibility units which are the equivalent of four academic years of full-time enrollment. The eligibility for ING must be renewed each academic year. To apply, students must submit an online application at www.isac.org.

Illinois MIA/POW Scholarship – is a program for dependents (spouse or children) of veterans who were declared by the Department of Defense or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be a prisoner of war, missing in action, died as a result of a service-connected disability, or be permanently disabled from service-connected causes with 100% disability. This scholarship covers in-district tuition and certain fees. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office, Room 204, Building B.

Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) – is a new education program that became effective August 1, 2009. This program is for individuals who served active duty on or after September 11, 2001 and who received an honorable discharge. If your service ended before January 1, 2013, Chapter 33 benefits will expire 15 years from after your last separation date from active service. If your service ended on or after January 1, 2013, your benefits will not expire based off a new law called the Forever GI Bill-Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act. Chapter 33 pays directly to the school for the student's tuition and fees up to the predetermined percentage of eligibility established by the Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information visit http://benefits.va.gov/gibill/

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30) – is an education program that provides up to 36 months of educational benefits. It provides a monthly payment to the veteran directly. This benefit may be used for degree and some certificate programs. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following the release from active duty or after the 36 months are used up whichever comes first.

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606) — is an education program that provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserves: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army National Guard and Air National Guard. Eligibility ends when a member leaves the Selected Reserves.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program [VR&E] (Chapter 31) — is a program to help veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. To apply a veteran must have an evaluation done by Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to determine eligibility.

Tuition Assistance — is a benefit granted to eligible soldiers. Students must contact their commanding officer to obtain the application. All students receiving benefits must comply with academic regulations specified by Morton College. Information on any of these programs is available in the Financial Aid Office, Room 204, Building B or by calling (708) 656-8000, Ext. 2228.

 

VA Pending Payment Compliance

Beginning August 1, 2019 and despite any policy to the contrary, Morton College will not take any of the four following actions toward any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while their payment from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is pending:

• Prevent enrollment;

• Assess a late penalty fee to;
• Require they secure alternative or additional funding;
• Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

• Produce the VA’s Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class;
• Provide written request to be certified;
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies (see our VA School Certifying Official for all requirements).

 

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

 
Postsecondary education institutions are required by title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, amended (HEA), to establish, publish, and consistently apply reasonable satisfactory academic progress standards to students. An institution’s standards are considered reasonable if they are in accordance with the satisfactory academic progress federal regulations. Failure to comply with those rules can bar a school and its students from receiving federal financial aid funds. New federal regulations (34 CFR 668.34) stipulate nationally consistent terminology and tighter controls for measuring the satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for the eligibility of students to receive federal financial aid.

All students at Morton College (MC) who receive federal financial aid must make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completion of their degrees/certificates at the end of each period of enrollment. 

This policy applies to the Federal Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Work Study, Direct Loans, Stafford Loan, Parent Plus Loans, Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP), and military Veterans’ benefits. (Please note: State Military Programs are subjected to the GPA portion of this policy)

The U.S. Department of Education requires a policy to use both the qualitative (GPA) and quantitative (Completion Percentage) criteria when measuring SAP. 

MC reviews SAP at the end of each payment period and has approved the following standards defining SAP in accordance with regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Education. 

SAP Standards: 

1. Cumulative GPA is a minimum 2.00 or higher and;
2. Cumulative completion rate is a minimum 67% or higher and;
3. Completion of program within 150 percent maximum timeframe allowed. 

SAP Statuses

The following are various types of SAP statuses assigned to students applying and receiving Title IV funding.  All courses earned at MC and transferred into a student’s program are used when determining SAP statuses, including credits earned while not receiving Title IV funding. 

Eligible SAP Statuses: 

1. Satisfactory is assigned to students who are meeting the following criteria:
a) Cumulative GPA is a minimum 2.00 or higher and;
b) Cumulative completion rate is a minimum of 67% or higher and;
c) Completion of program is scheduled to occur within 150 percent maximum timeframe allowed.

2. Warning -When students do not meet the cumulative GPA and/or completion
percentage requirement(s) portions of SAP standards, they are placed on warning
and notified accordingly. Students remain on warning until the next time SAP is
reviewed; which is the next payment period. During the warning period, students
remain eligible for federal financial aid for one payment period only. 

 

Eligible SAP Statuses with Conditions: 

1. Probation - Assigned to students who are within one term of meeting SAP standards.  Students, who have appealed and are approved, and placed on probation, and are eligible for Title IV funds, must meet SAP standards at the end of the subsequent payment period. 

2. Academic Plans - Are developed for students that, if followed, will ensure the students are able to meet SAP standards by a specific time period.  Plans are created to address students who are affected by GPA, rate of completion, or both.  Students who agree and continue to meet plan requirements are eligible for Title IV funds.  If at any time while on the plan, the students do not meet the conditions at the end of a payment period, they return to the termination status (ineligible status).

Students who are approved and recommended for academic plans are notified via email to come in and review plan conditions and sign plan agreement.  

a. GPA Plans - To qualify, students must have a completion rate of 67% and have a cumulative GPA less than a 2.00.  This plan is structured to assist students with raising their cumulative GPA to a minimum of a 2.00 while maintaining their completion rate of 67%. 

b. Pace Plans - To qualify, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 and have a completion rate less than 67%.  This plan is structured to assist students with raising their completion rate while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.00. 

c. Pace/GPA Plans - To qualify, students must have a completion rate less than 67% and a cumulative GPA less than 2.00. This plan is structured to assist students with raising their completion rate and cumulative GPA of 2.00 to meet SAP standards. 

d. Customized Plans – In rare cases the committee may assign a customized plan to a student.  This plan is structured to assist students with raising their completion rate and GPA, or extending beyond the 150 maximum timeframe.

Examples of elements a school may consider in a student’s academic plan include, but are not limited to:

• Registering for fewer credit hours during each enrollment period under the plan;
• Stipulating enrollment in only certain courses and demonstrating academic success in each of those courses toward degree completion;
• A mathematical calculation specifying the percentage of coursework the student must complete;
• Achieving a minimum GPA at the conclusion of the probationary periods (such as a term-specific GPA that would at least indicate an upward movement from a very low cumulative GPA); or
• Achieving minimum grades (not just GPA, but course-specific grades) during each payment period under the plan.

If the school determines at any time that the student is not following the academic plan, the student is immediately ineligible for Title IV aid. To remain eligible, such a student would need to submit another appeal and have it approved based on the student’s updated circumstances.  Some possible reasons an academic plan could be voided by a school include:

• A student changes their major, at which point the previous plan is voided since it pertained to the major at the time of the appeal;
• If a student violates the academic plan as defined and agreed upon for any reason; or
• If a student doesn’t not enroll for the payment period the academic plan was designed to cover.

Ineligible SAP Statuses 

1. Termination – The second term following Warning status that students did not meet one/all of the criteria below, they are ineligible for federal financial aid, and are notified accordingly. Students have the option to appeal their termination status. 
a. Cumulative GPA is less than 2.00 and/or; 
b. Cumulative completion rate is less than 67% 

2. Maximum Timeframe Completion - Each payment period SAP will be calculated to see if it is mathematically possible for students to complete their program and graduate within the maximum timeframe allowed.  If at any point it is determined that the students cannot complete their program (i.e. graduate) within the maximum timeframe, that students become ineligible for Title IV aid. No warning or probation period is allowed. 
The maximum timeframe for the completion of a degree/certificate program is defined as no more than 150 percent of the normal timeframe required to complete the degree program.  For an undergraduate program, this is measured in credit hours. For example, a normal two-year degree program requires 62 credits to complete (graduate).  Students must complete the degree within 93 hours in order to remain eligible for Title IV funding. 
Please Note: Coursework that transfers into an eligible program will be included in a student’s credit hours attempted and completed. 
Students can appeal maximum timeframe. 

Students who previously were on Warning, Probation, Termination, or an Academic Plan status will return back to a SATISFACTORY status if the following conditions are met: 

1. Cumulative GPA equals 2.00 or higher and;
2. Cumulative Completion Rate equals 67% or higher and;
3. Completion of program is scheduled to occur within 150 percent maximum timeframe allowed. 

The Following Categories Will Be Calculated as Follows: 

Course Repeats 

1. Students are only allowed to repeat courses to replace previously passed courses one (1) time and receive Title IV funds.  When evaluating SAP, the highest attempt will be calculated in the student’s GPA.  All attempts will be considered for PACE and are included in the attempted and completed (if applicable) credits.  This repeat policy applies to all courses whether or not financial aid was utilized. 

2. Students may be paid for repeatedly failing the same course (normal SAP policy still applies to such cases). If students withdraw before completing the course that they are being paid Title IV funds for retaking, the course is not counted as their one allowed retake for that course. However, if students passed a class once and are repaid for retaking it but fail the second time, the failure counts as their paid retake and they may not be paid for retaking the class a third time. Please Note: Final grades of “D” are considered passing at MC.

Courses That Were Academically Forgiven  

Schools are not allowed to ignore hours attempted, hours completed or earned grades on coursework applicable to the student’s program of study from previously enrolled periods.  All courses will be included in the GPA, attempted, and completed SAP calculations. 

Incomplete Grades 

When students do not complete all course requirements by the end of their enrollment payment periods, some instructors may assign a temporary grade of (I) for incomplete. In these cases, instructors assign traditional grades after the students complete the course requirements. Incomplete grades may inaccurately reflect a students’ GPA and/or pace.  
Incomplete grades are not considered passing grades and will be counted in the SAP calculations for attempted credits as unsuccessful completion. However, these grades will not affect a students’ GPA until the final grade is recorded.  The students’ SAP will be updated and recalculated to include the new grade the next time an official SAP calculation occurs.  SAP calculations are not allowed to be recalculated unless an error has occurred during the grading process.  In such events a recalculation will be performed.  If the new calculation makes the students ineligible for Title IV funds and aid has been disbursed; the students will be responsible for all aid and balances incurred.  All future disbursements will be cancelled.

Transfer Credits 

All transfer credits accepted into the college from another institution will be counted in both attempted and completed calculations in a student's SAP evaluation.  Students can request a max timeframe/second degree review by completing an appeal to have their credits evaluated to only use the credits applicable to their program of study to be counted in their calculation.

Grade Changes 

When a grade change occurs, the Registrar will notify the Financial Aid office of such change.  The students’ SAP will be updated and recalculated to reflect the changed grade for that term during the next official SAP Calculation.  SAP calculations are not allowed to be recalculated unless an error has occurred during the grading process.  In such events a recalculation will be performed.  If the new calculation makes the students ineligible for Title IV funds and aid has been disbursed; the students will be responsible for all aid and balances incurred.  All future disbursements will be cancelled.

Audit Courses 

Audited classes are not considered "financial aid eligible"; therefore, they count neither as hours attempted or completed. 

Remedial Courses 

Remedial coursework is considered "financial aid eligible"; therefore, they are counted as attempted and completed hours for Pace of Completion.  However, remedial courses are NOT included in the students’ GPA whether they are completed successfully or unsuccessfully.  They are graded as “Pass” or “Fail” and hold no numeric value.

Students are limited to 30 credit hours attempted for remedial and prerequisites courses.

Consortium Agreements 

Students coursework earned at MC on a Consortium agreement will be evaluated using this SAP policy.    

Second Degrees/Certificates (SAP Reset) 

Students seeking consecutive degrees/certificates are monitored like any other students under this policy. A new SAP calculation is performed for the new program of study to determine eligibility. Any credits earned at MC from prior program that meet requirements in the new program will be counted in the students’ GPA, attempted and completed credit hours.   Any transfer hours that meet requirements in the new program will be treated as transfer credits.  

SAP resets are granted to students who have completed a program and/or pursing a new program.  Please Note:  Students must change their major with the Office of Admissions and have a transcript evaluation performed to be considered.  We encourage students to submit the evaluation request 30 days prior to changing your major.

Appeal Procedures 

Students not meeting SAP requirements have the option to appeal their termination status of financial aid.  The following categories are appealable: Grade Point Average, Pace of Completion, and Maximum Timeframe.

Appeals are reviewed at least once per month by a committee composed of various employees of the college. It is the responsibility of the students to initiate any appeal.  Students must submit their appeal between the dates noted on the appeal form in order to be considered for the appropriate term.    Removal of an academic restriction by Admissions, Registration, Counseling & Career Development, Student Success Coach,  or another MC office does not constitute reinstatement of federal aid eligibility.  All appeal decisions are final.  

Appeals are based on a documentable extenuating circumstance impacting academic performance. Extenuating circumstances are considered to be past events that are no longer barriers to prevent academic progress. The appeal application must support how the student is now in a position to be academically successful.  Appeals should include all documentation required to be reviewed.  Failing to submit all documents will automatically deny your appeal.  You may resubmit your appeal (if within appeal deadline dates) if denied due to missing documents.  However, the appeal will not be escalated.  Also, all appeals are reviewed in the order they are received.

Appeals will not be granted for the repeated circumstances.  For example, an appeal can be granted due to a medical issue (back surgery in 2020) placing the students on probation or an academic plan.  If students are placed on termination again, the same medical issue (back surgery in 2020) cannot be used as the basis for the appeal.  The latter appeal must be based on a reason different from the first appeal. 

Please Note: Sitting out for an enrollment period(s) is not sufficient to re-establish eligibility for Title IV aid.  Circumstances related to the typical adjustment to college life such as working while attending school, financial issues related to paying bills and car maintenance to campus are not considered as extenuating for purposes of appealing termination of financial aid.
  
Examples of extenuating circumstances to be considered for appeal: 
1. Serious illness or injury to student or immediate family member (where you had to provide care) that required extended recovery time;
2. Death of an immediate family member;
3. Significant trauma in students’ life that impaired the students’ emotional and/or physical health;
4. Withdrawal due to military service;
5. Second degree or certificate;
6. Change of major;
7. Other unexpected circumstances beyond the control of the student  

For this purpose, immediate family member is defined as (parent, spouse, sibling, child, and grandparent (step or in-law respectively).

Completed appeals should be submitted through a Student Success Coach.  The appeals will be documented in the system as received, prepared, and routed to the appeals committee.

Students are not contacted during the appeal process. The only communication received will be the final decision notification letter.

Notifications to Students 

 Students receive the following notifications: 

• Warning Letter 
o Warning letters alert students that although they remain eligible for Title IV funding, they must return back to a satisfactory status at the end of the next payment period enrolled. 
• Termination  
o Termination letters notify students that they are no longer eligible for Title IV funding as well as offer guidelines how to regain Title IV funding. 
• Warning Maximum Time 
o Warning maximum timeframe letters warn students who are at or reaching 120 percent maximum timeframe to meet with an academic advisor to determine how many credits remain to complete their program.  This notice also alerts students that they must complete their program within 150 percent maximum timeframe. 
• Maximum Time 
o Maximum timeframe letters notify students that they are no longer eligible to receive Title IV funding because they weren’t able to complete their program within 150 percent timeframe allowed.   

Federal Return of Title IV Funds

 
Students who withdraw from coursework in a semester may be required to return a portion of the federal financial aid that had been applied to their account. The final amount of financial aid earned will be based on the period of time the student participated during the semester. 
 
Students receiving federal funds who fully withdraw, either officially or unofficially, before the conclusion of the semester, are subject to a “Return of Title IV Aid” calculation established by the federal government. This calculation determines the portion of federal funds that were earned by the student up to the time of withdrawal. The withdrawal date (last date of attendance) will be determined by official withdrawal from classes by the student, or as reported by the instructor in cases of unofficial withdrawal. 
 
If the student withdraws beyond the 60% point in the semester, they are considered to have earned 100% of the federal financial aid they were scheduled to receive. Students enrolled in classes that do not span the entire semester are considered withdrawn if, at the time of the withdrawal, they are not actively attending another class and have not provided written confirmation of anticipated return in the semester for a late start class. Federal financial aid disbursed more than the earned amount must be returned to the federal government.  
 
The college will perform the “Return of Title IV Aid” calculation within 30 days of the date of determination that a student has completely withdrawn and return any unearned federal funds it is responsible for returning within 45 days of the date the school determined the student withdrew. If the student previously received a refund from financial aid, which was to be used for education-related personal or housing expenses, they may be required to return a portion of those funds to the college. When the college returns a student’s unearned funds to the government, they will be billed for any balance due for any unearned refunds received or institutional charges that are now unpaid because of the return of federal funds. 
 
If it is determined through a “Return of Title IV Aid” calculation that the Federal financial aid already disbursed to the student is less than the earned amount, the school will generate a post-withdrawal disbursement to the student no later than 45 days after the date of the school’s determination that the student withdrew. Funds returned to the federal government based on the “Return of Title IV” Aid calculation referenced above, reduce the outstanding balances in individual federal aid programs. 

Federal financial aid returned by the student, the parent, or the college, are allocated in the following order: 

1. Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan 
2. Federal Subsidized Direct Loan 
3. Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS) 
4. Federal Pell Grant 
5. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) 
6. TEACH Grant 
 
If financial aid is awarded after the conclusion of the semester, federal aid is awarded based on the courses completed for that semester. Students receiving Federal financial aid and considering withdrawing from registered coursework are encouraged to make an appointment with a Financial Aid Assistant to examine the implications to their financial aid. 
 
The Difference Between Drops and Withdrawals
  
What Is the Difference Between A Drop and Withdraw? 

A drop occurs during the refund period and does not appear on your transcript. If you drop a course, your enrollment will be reduced and the amount of financial aid you are eligible for can change.

A withdrawal occurs after the refund period and will appear on your transcript as a “W” grade.

If you withdraw from a course, your enrollment is locked and will not change, unless:

• You completely withdraw officially/unofficially from the college. (All your enrolled courses)

• You never begin attendance in the course(s).

What Is the Difference Between Officially and Unofficially Withdrawing?

Officially Withdrawing
When students stop attending or academically participating in a course, they must report this information to the Office of Admissions and Records (OAR) immediately by officially removing themselves from the course. This can occur during the drop or withdrawal periods of the term.

For example: Abby is enrolled and begins attending COM 101 that meets from Aug. 24, 2021 to Dec. 18, 2021. On Sept. 30, 2021, Abby is in a car accident and is advised by her doctors not to return to school. Abby logs into her Panther Portal and “officially” withdraws from the course. 
Since this occurred after the refund period, a “W” grade will appear on her transcript and Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculation will be performed since this is the only course Abby is enrolled in. (See R2T4 Policy for more information).

Unofficially Withdrawing
When students stop attending or academically participating in a course and fail to remove themselves from the roster, the student has “unofficially withdrew” from the course. This can occur during the drop or withdrawal periods of the term.

For example: Abby is enrolled and begins attending COM 101 that meets from Aug. 24, 2021 to Dec. 18, 2021. On Sept. 30, 2021, Abby is in a car accident and is advised by her doctors not to return to school. However, Abby forgets to withdraw from her COM 101 course and is still listed as enrolled. Abby’s last class attended was Sept. 26, 2021. Her professor last received a homework assignment dated Sept. 27, 2021. Since Abby didn’t notify her school she would not be returning, the school determines that Abby “unofficially withdrew” on Sept. 27, 2021 (the last log of academic activity).