Regular class attendance is required for students receiving federal financial aid. Students must begin attendance in all courses to qualify for financial aid. Students reported for non-attendance in any or all of their courses could have their financial aid withdrawn.
At the end of each semester, students who have failed to earn credit for any courses are reviewed. Attendance must be demonstrated through the 60% point of the semester. Federal aid may be returned, causing the student to owe funds directly to LSSU that are due immediately.
For example, a student with $10,000 in total financial aid for the semester who fails to complete any credits with a passing grade could have up to $5,000 returned to the federal government, if it was determined that the student stopped attending classes within the first nine weeks of the semester. Instructors must indicate the last day of attendance in an academically-related activity for each F grade they assign. If it is determined that the failure to earn any credit for the semester was due to lack of attendance in classes, a federal aid return calculation must be performed.
At the end of the semester, grades are reviewed to determine if the student ceased attending prior to the 60% point. If a student is reported for lack of attendance before completing at least 60% of the semester, then 50% of the financial aid the student received could go back to the federal government, including student and parent loans. The student could owe up to 50% of the funds received for the semester back to the university. Students have up to 45 days to challenge the return of federal aid due to a reported lack of attendance. Written proof of attendance is required for future aid release.
The above policy applies to consortium students for courses at two schools. When LSSU is the home school for financial aid, attendance will be reviewed for courses from both schools to determine if the grades were caused by a failure to attend.