US FEDERAL AID

Leeds Arts University is approved to administer US Federal Student Aid for eligible students studying on our undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

The information below is intended to assist students (US citizens or eligible non-citizens of the US) to apply for Federal Aid to support the cost of their studies. We are committed to providing high-quality support as you navigate the process of determining the best way to pay for your education.

Leeds Arts University’s School Code is G42623 or 042623. Our Office for Postsecondary Education (OPE) identification code is 04262300.

Please see the information below to guide you with your application.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for Federal Aid you:

  • Must be a student enrolled or accepted for enrolment in an eligible programme at Leeds Arts University

  • Must have a high school diploma or equivalent

  • Must be enrolled at least half-time and physically present at Leeds Arts University for the duration of your studies

  • Must comply with Leeds Arts University's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy

  • Must not be convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs while receiving financial aid

  • Must be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen with a valid Social Security Number (SSN)

  • Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year

  • Must not be in default on an educational loan and must not owe a repayment on an adjusted federal grant

Periods of study or work placements outside the UK may adversely affect your loan eligibility. You must contact the International Office if you think this might apply to you.

Periods of study in the U.S. during your course will adversely affect your loan eligibility.

Loan Types

There are four types of Federal Aid loan options available. It is your responsibility to carefully research the terms and conditions (including repayment obligations, interest rates, deferral options, etc.) and consider the implications on your specific circumstances before proceeding.

1. A Federal Direct Subsidized loan is based on financial need. The US Government does not charge interest on these loans while students are enrolled at least half-time at the university and for a six-month grace period after graduation. Direct subsidized loans are subject to annual and lifetime caps. The amount of the subsidized loan depends on the information reported in your FAFSA:

  • Your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). This is calculated using the information you entered into your FAFSA and provided on your SAR. Please note that your family does not have to provide you with the EFC amount but it is used to determine how much subsidized loan you are entitled to receive

  • Any existing loan amounts

  • Any other financial aid you receive

Please note that graduates are not entitled to a Direct Subsidized Loan but may apply for up to $20,500 from the Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

2. A Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan is awarded regardless of financial need. The U.S. Department of Education updates interest rates annually. Unsubsidized Loans are subject to annual and lifetime caps. The amount available depends on:

Fees - A fee of 1.057% is deducted from the gross amount of the loan so you may wish to consider this when determining the amount you need to borrow.  Any Subsidized or Unsubsidized loans originated with a first disbursement date on or after 1st October 2023 will have a revised fee.

3. A Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan can be used to cover the remainder of your Cost of Attendance. This loan is available to parents or others to borrow on behalf of a dependent undergraduate student and is subject to a limited credit check.

Parents can borrow up to the total Estimated Cost of Attendance minus all other sources of financial aid their student receives. PLUS loans are the financial responsibility of the parents and not the student. A parent PLUS loan borrower must meet the same citizenship and residency requirements as the student. The parent must not owe a refund on a federal student financial aid grant or be in default on a federal student loan.

A credit check is conducted when your parents begin the loan application process. Undergraduates whose parents do not qualify for a PLUS loan can borrow additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan funds.

Repayment begins within 60 days after your loan is fully disbursed and lasts ten years. Origination fees for Direct Parent PLUS loans are set at 4.228%.  Loans originated with a first disbursement date on or after 1st October 2022 will have a revised fee.

4. The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is a federal loan that graduate students with good credit histories may borrow to help pay their educational expenses.

A graduate student may borrow up to the total Cost of Attendance less all other financial aid received by the student.

Applicants for these loans are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

They also must have applied for their annual loan maximum eligibility under the Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan Program before applying for a Graduate/Professional PLUS loan.

Interest is charged on the loan from the time the loan funds are disbursed until it is paid in full. There is a 4.236% loan origination fee deducted from the loan by the U.S. Department of Education, loans originated with a first disbursement date on or after 1st October 2023 will have a revised fee.

Repayment begins on the date of the last disbursement of the loan and the first payment is due within 60 days after the date the loan is fully disbursed. A Graduate PLUS borrower may receive a deferment while he or she is enrolled on at least a half-time basis at an eligible school. Upon dropping to less than half-time enrollment status, the borrower is not entitled to a grace period on his or her PLUS loans.

More information on U.S. federal student loans is available on the U.S. Department of Education website.

Private Alternative Loan

A private alternative loan is a non-federal education loan, through a private lender, typically in the student’s name and requiring a co-signer. Approval and interest rates are based on the creditworthiness of the borrower and co-signer. Each alternative lender has different eligibility requirements, loan rates, terms, and conditions.

Students who are eligible for federal student aid should complete the FAFSA and exhaust all federal loans and scholarship opportunities, before applying for a private alternative loan. Federal student loans generally have more favorable terms and conditions than private loans but this can vary depending on your individual circumstances. 

Leeds Arts University is willing to work with any lender who offers alternative educational loans to students enrolled at foreign schools. Currently, we are aware of only one such lender, Sallie Mae, but we advise students to explore all options available to them.

Credit reports and risk scores obtained during the application process on all applicants and cosigners will be valid for 365 days. You can apply for your loan up to 300 days before the loan period begin date. 

There is a dedicated landing page for students and families looking to access private loans from a foreign school - the GEMS Smart Option Student Loan in partnership with Sallie Mae.

You might also find the following information useful:

Making Your Application

The steps for applying are as follows:

1. Submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

You will need to complete and submit your FAFSA. To do this you will need the Leeds Arts University school code – it is G42623 or 042623. As you progress through your studies you are required to complete a new FAFSA each year. 

2. Check your Student Aid Report

Once the US Department of Education has processed your FAFSA, you will receive a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) by email. Please review to check it is accurate - you must ensure it includes an EFC (estimated family contribution) and details of any previous loans. If there are any issues highlighted in the ‘Comments about your information’ section at the end of the SAR, you must resolve these. When your SAR is finalized, please email us. The US Department of Education will tell you that your school has been notified of your FAFSA but this does not actually happen for institutions outside the US.

3. Selective Service

If you are male you need to have signed up to Selective Service before you turn 26. 

If you are over 26 you will need to provide us with details of your citizenship status or proof of exemption.

4. Confirm how much you wish to borrow

We will send you a loan letter confirming the Cost of Attendance and the amount of loan available for you to borrow. Please review, sign, and return the letter to confirm how much you wish to borrow. 

5. Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN)

You must complete a new Direct Loan Master Promissory Note, this is required every year. You will need to complete an MPN for your Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans and, if applicable, a separate MPN for your Plus Loan. 

6. Complete Entrance Counselling

Complete Entrance Counselling

When we have all the required documents from you, we will originate your Federal Student Aid disbursements using the US Department of Education’s online system. When this has been approved by the Department of Education, we will send you a letter confirming the loan amounts and the expected dates the funds will be available to you after enrollment. This letter can be used in support of your visa application if requested. 

We will contact you in advance of your first disbursement to check whether you wish to change or refuse it. When the funds are received we will deduct the relevant tuition fee payment before transferring the remaining amount to your bank account. Once you have enrolled in your course, you must inform us if you have any plans to withdraw or interrupt your studies. We will be able to advise you on how this will affect your Federal Aid payments, and what you need to do. 

Loan Origination

Once all the requirements have been met, Leeds Arts University will originate (process) your loan with the U.S. Department of Education. Please be aware that it may not be possible to process loan applications received less than one month before the start of the academic year in time for the start of classes.

You should also be aware that the U.S. Government deducts an Origination Fee from each loan disbursement. Fees for funds disbursed on or before 10/01/2024 are as follows:

  • 1.057% from Subsidised and Unsubsidized Direct Loans

  • 4.228% from Parent and Graduate PLUS Loans

Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement

All borrowers (both students and parents) must complete the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement prior to the first disbursement of funds. For a Direct PLUS Loan made to a parent borrower, only the parent completes the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement. This must be done before the first disbursement in every loan year. 

Proof of funding for Visa purposes

You may be asked to provide evidence of the funds available to you as part of your application for a Student Route visa to study in the UK. If requested, the letter provided by the University confirming the total amount of loans available to you can be used to support your visa application. 

Please note, we will only issue your CAS (required to apply for your visa) once your loans have been originated.

If you have secured a certified Sallie Mae loan, you will receive a letter of confirmation you are in receipt of a private loan for the purposes of education and the loan amount. This can be used as supporting evidence for your visa application.

Email international@leeds-art.ac.uk for assistance with applying for your student visa.

Throughout Your Course

Accessing your loan

In line with US Government regulations, Direct Loans are disbursed to Leeds Arts University in instalments each academic year. Leeds Arts University will deduct the amount due for tuition fees and any other relevant costs. You must complete Leeds Arts University’s enrollment process and submit UK bank details for the funds to be deposited before you can receive the instalments.

Disbursement dates are usually as follows:

  • Undergraduate students: September or October and January (depending if a 30-day delay is required) 

  • Postgraduate students: October, January, and April

You will be advised of the precise dates at the beginning of each academic year and prior to each disbursement being transferred. There is a compulsory 30-day delay to the first disbursement for first-time borrowers for fraud prevention reasons, so please ensure you have sufficient funds to support yourself while you await the first disbursement.

All disbursements are subject to the following conditions:

  • You are making satisfactory academic progress

  • You are enrolled at least half time

  • You are not in the U.S.

  • You have not violated any federal compliance regulations (such as repayment default, fraud, drug offences)

  • You have the right to cancel further instalments of the loan at any point

You will need to open a UK bank account when you arrive in the UK for the first time. Although Leeds Arts University cannot recommend a particular bank, the International Welcome Book includes helpful advice about how to set up an account.

Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement

All borrowers (both students and parents) must complete the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement prior to the first disbursement of funds. For a Direct PLUS Loan made to a parent borrower, only the parent completes the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement. This must be done before the first disbursement in every loan year. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Leeds Arts University must ensure that students in receipt of Direct Loan funds are fulfilling the requirements of U.S. Government Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) regulations. SAP procedures are separate from the normal University assessment and progression regulations, and to receive Federal Aid students must comply with federal SAP regulations.

SAP will be checked and verified at the end of each loan disbursement payment period and prior to the subsequent disbursement. If you fail to meet the SAP requirements, you may lose your entitlement to US Federal Aid. The University’s SAP Policy is available to download from the Leeds Arts University website.

Exit Counselling

Upon ceasing enrollment and prior to beginning repayment, borrowers are required to complete an Exit Counselling session.

You are also required to also carry out Exit Counselling if you drop to less than half-time, or you withdraw from the University.

The Exit Counselling session provides invaluable information about borrower rights and responsibilities regarding repayment of your Federal student loans.

All students due to complete their studies at Leeds Arts University are required to complete an Exit Counselling session. This applies even if you intend to pursue a new programme of study in the next academic year.

StudentLoans.gov 

Please "Log In" using your FSA ID and complete your Exit Counselling session. You will complete a series of short quizzes before continuing through the session. Please note that you must complete the entire session once you begin. The entire session takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.

Once you have completed your session we will retrieve the results of your Exit Counselling in order to record that you have fulfilled the requirements.

For further information please consult the US Department of Education's Exit Counselling Guide for Borrowers of Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Program Loans

Contact us

We are here to help and support you through the whole process. Please do not hesitate to get in touch at international@leeds-art.ac.uk.

Cost of Attendance

The costs below are the typical Costs of Attendance (COA) for undergraduate and postgraduate students starting their course in September 2023. You are not obligated to borrow the full COA.

For undergraduate students, please remember that some of these costs, for example, funds allowed for the capital cost of a computer, visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) apply to the first year of study only.

Tuition fees

Course fees for a first-year undergraduate student in 2023-24 (including 2% discount)

£16,366

Accommodation

Based on a single en-suite room with a 44-week contract

£6,587

Book, trips and course materials

This is an aggregated estimate and will vary considerably depending on the individual students’ course and creative practice

£760

Local travel

Based on an annual discounted bus pass

£702

Food, Utilities, Personal Costs

Including food, clothes, toiletries, books and socializing, etc.

£6,825

Computer supplies

To allow for the purchase of a laptop

£1,349

Two return flights

Based on two return flights UK-USA per year with transfers

£2,000

CAS Fee

Payable in the first year of study only to cover the full course of study

£21

Immigration Health Surcharge (to cover access to healthcare)

Payable in the first year of study only to cover the full course of study

£1,645

Visa application fee

Payable in the first year of study only to cover the full course of study

£363

Loan Origination fee

Charged by Federal Aid, deducted before loans are received by Leeds Arts University

£1,479

Total (GBP)

GBP

£38,097

Total (USD)

USD using an exchange rate of $1.38

USD 52,574

Consumer Disclosures

Consumer Information for Leeds Arts University as required by US Federal Regulations can be found below.

Student Financial Aid Information

Leeds Arts University as an institution provides early payment discounts for international students and alumni tuition fee discounts (the International Progression Award) where appropriate. For further information please visit the following pages:

For information regarding US Loans and Federal Aid please refer to the following website:

https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/international/us-federal-aid/

Which contains the following information:

  • Process for applying for funding

  • Award amounts and type of loan

  • Disbursement frequency

  • SAP requirements (SAP Policy)

  • Alternative Private Loans (Sallie Mae)

  • Exit Counselling

  • Loan repayment information 

Please note, we do not provide 1098T forms for students. 

Cost of Attendance:

For information on the Cost of Attendance at Leeds Arts University, including tuition fees, books, accommodation, food, and local transportation costs please click on the following links:

Financing your studies: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/international/fees-scholarships/

Accommodation costs: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/life-in-leeds/accommodation/

Health and wellbeing: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/student-support/

Books and other resources can be accessed through the library: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/about-us/facilities/library-blenheim-walk/

Students can access their reading lists and module information through the virtual learning environment e-Studio: https://estudio.leeds-art.ac.uk/login/index.php 

Unfair practice including plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, ghostwriting (i.e. soliciting a third party to do some or all of a piece of work) and falsification of data will be deemed serious academic misconduct.

Further information can be found here: 

https://portal.leeds-art.ac.uk/quality-standards-higher-education

To view the university’s travel and transport information please visit:

https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/about-us/find-us/

Students with Disabilities:

Information about the services Leeds Arts University offers to students with disabilities is available here:

https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/student-support/student-welfare/

Refund policy:

The Leeds Arts University Tuition Fee and Bursary policy fees can be accessed here. 

https://portal.leeds-art.ac.uk/content/he-tuition-fee-and-bursary-policy

A US student’s leave of absence (LOA) must not exceed 180 days in any 12-month period as per the guidelines set out by the US Department of Education. Any student granted LOA by the University that exceeds 180 days in the 12-month period will be reported to the US Department of Education as withdrawn for Title IV purposes. In practice, as students cannot resume their course of study at the exact point they left off before starting a LOA, a LOA will mean they are withdrawn for the purposes of Title IV. 

Return of Title IV Financial Aid:

Where a student has been in receipt of Title IV funding then withdraws prior to the end of a payment period, the University is required by the US Department of Education to complete the Return of Title IV funds process (R2T4). Please see here for our Return of Title IV (r2t4) Policy.

Accrediting Agencies and Governing Bodies:

Please refer to the following website for key information about Leeds Arts University: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/about-us/governance/

Academic Programmes at Leeds Arts University:

For information on Academic Programmes offered please see: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/study/

Please note our Further Education courses (below degree level) are not eligible for Federal Aid. 

Safeguarding Customer Information:

For general information about student records and data protection please refer to the following: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/privacy/

This covers the following:

  • Safeguarding, Health, and Wellbeing

  • Data protection

  • Personal details are required for administration and registration.

Careers and Employability:

For information regarding the services offered by Leeds Arts University Careers, Enterprise and Employability team and the destinations of our graduates please see:

https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/study/careers-employability/

https://discoveruni.gov.uk/

https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/student-information-and-data/national-student-survey-nss/ 

Throughout our courses, many students choose to participate in internships. These are encouraged but are not a mandatory part of the course. 

Student Health and Wellbeing

For more information about student health and well-being: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/student-support/

Fire safety policy:

https://portal.leeds-art.ac.uk/health-safety/riskandsafetymanual  

 

Study Abroad and International Opportunities:

There are opportunities to participate in educational visits both in Europe and internationally throughout your course. Students in receipt of Federal Aid cannot spend any part of their course in the USA. 

To study abroad during your degree course through a formal arrangement with another institution, the following conditions must be satisfied in order to remain eligible for Federal Aid:

  • Your study abroad institution must also be a participating and approved Federal Aid (Title IV) School - please see a complete list of approved institutions here. Some of our exchange partners are eligible to administer Federal Aid, for example, our Canadian partners and some Erasmus+ partners, but as eligibility can change please check the name of the institution you are interested in exchanging with appears on the list of 'International Schools Participating in the Federal Student Loan Programmes'. The list is updated quarterly. 

  • Your study abroad institution must not be in the USA

Please refer to the Federal Aid website to find out which international schools participate in the federal student aid programs. Undertaking any part of your course at a non-eligible institution will mean your course is no longer eligible for Federal Aid. 

Non-eligible courses:

Please note our Further Education courses (below degree level) are not eligible for Federal Aid.  

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Leeds Arts University

Satisfactory Academic Progress Regulations

The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions of higher education to establish minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress for students receiving Federal Aid. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) means the student is proceeding positively toward fulfilling degree requirements. SAP includes two standards, qualitative and quantitative. Students must meet both standards to continue receiving financial aid.

Both the qualitative and quantitative SAP standards are reviewed at each evaluation point.

Qualitative

To maintain eligibility for financial aid with the qualitative standard, a student must maintain the academic standing necessary to remain at Leeds Arts University. The Academic Registry will conduct a review at the end of each evaluation point to determine the students' successful progress toward obtaining a degree by comparing the modules passed and credits accumulated to the required pass mark and total credits for the level of study.

Undergraduate

Undergraduate teaching is delivered over 2 semesters. Leeds Arts University evaluates Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of each payment period - for undergraduate students, this is at the end of each semester. Undergraduate students must achieve at least an overall pass in each semester for the first year of the course and accumulate 120 credits. For the second and third year of the course, undergraduate students must achieve a minimum average score of at least 40% in each module in each semester and accumulate 120 credits per level. Further details are available in the University Academic Regulations governing the course.

Postgraduate

Postgraduate teaching is delivered over 3 terms (trimesters). Leeds Arts University evaluates Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of each payment period - for postgraduate students, this is at the end of each trimester. Postgraduate students must achieve at least an overall pass per module or above and accumulate 180 credits. Further details are available in the University Academic Regulations governing the course.

Approved undergraduate module deferrals or referrals will take place in September. For postgraduate students with an approved deferral or referral in a module, this will be in October.

All students are provided with a transcript of approved marks/grades after formal ratification by the Final Examination and Progression Board. 

Other

All students must maintain a level of academic progression as specified in the University’s Academic Regulations.  Students who fail to maintain sufficient academic progress will be withdrawn from the University in line with policies and procedures outlined in the Academic Regulations.  A student may appeal against the decision of the Final Examination and Progression Board with reference to the Academic Appeals Policy and Procedure.  If an academic appeal is upheld, the University will re-evaluate their financial aid status.

Students holding a Student Route visa for study should be aware that visa policies may not be the same as SAP and/or University policies.

Quantitative

Maximum Completion Timeframes

Eligible undergraduate students are entitled to receive financial aid for up to 150% of the published course length as measured by credit hours. This includes both attempted credit and transfer credits.

Eligible postgraduate students are entitled to receive financial aid for up to 150% of the published course length as measured in academic years. The normal timeframe for completion is 1 year for a full-time postgraduate degree (therefore must be completed in 1.5 years).   

The maximum registration period is defined in the University Academic Regulations.

Pace of progression

To continue to be eligible for Federal Aid, students must maintain a minimum cumulative completion rate of 66.7% (normally rounded to 67%) as calculated by dividing the number of completed credits (cumulative credit-hours completed) by the number of attempted credits (cumulative credit-hours attempted) in order to meet SAP maximum completion timeframes.

In General 

Students attending full-time courses are not eligible for student aid if their enrolment is below 50% (less than half time).

SAP Evaluation Points

Both the qualitative and quantitative SAP standards are reviewed at each evaluation point. Evaluation points fall at the end of each semester for undergraduate students and the end of each trimester for postgraduate students. For students on courses of study lasting one year or less, that is typically in September, January and April of the year of study. For students on programmes lasting more than one year, payment periods typically fall in October and January of the year of study. For students who are required to re-sit a failed unit, there will be a further evaluation point at the end of the resubmission period and before the first disbursement for the new academic year.

Students will only be notified of the outcome if they have not met SAP requirements and are to be placed on SAP warning. In this instance, the Academic Registry and Internationalisation will notify students in writing.

Withdrawals, Transfers, Interruptions, Repeat or Fails within SAP Standards

Normally, all periods of a student’s enrolment count when assessing progress, even when the student did not receive federal student loans. Some examples of changes to enrolment and how these impact the measurement of SAP are outlined below.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal or non-completion of a course does not count towards SAP measurement in another course.

Transfer Students

Transfer students’ transcripts will be evaluated by the Director of Undergraduate Studies or Head of Postgraduate Studies. Any modules that are applicable to the degree requirement will be accepted and will be used to measure the quantitative SAP requirement (150% timeframe). Only those grades earned at Leeds Arts University will be used to compute the qualitative requirement (grading) for progression or final degree classification.

Financial Aid Warnings, Appeals and Financial Aid Probation

Financial Aid Warning

Students who fail SAP requirements at one of the evaluation points in an academic year will be issued a Financial Aid Warning. This warning will last for one payment period (until the next disbursement), during which time a student can still receive Financial Aid. Students that fail to regain SAP by the next disbursement will then enter Student Loan Denied status with an option to appeal. If an appeal is approved the student would return to Student Loan Probation with funding.

Financial Aid warning status can be applied to students on any programme of study at Leeds Arts University.

Student Loan Probation Status

For students who are repeating a unit, student loans can be received during the period of probation for one payment period. Further student loan disbursements will be held until the marks or grades and module completions have been reviewed for the period of the Student Loan Probation. If the student passes the required module(s) they will resume normal financial aid status and will no longer be on Student Loan Probation, following an assessment that the student’s situation has changed sufficiently so that they can now expect to achieve SAP.

Students who fail to meet the minimum progression requirements of the course will be withdrawn. These students can submit an appeal.

Academic Appeals

Students have the right to submit an academic appeal against the decision of the Final Examination and Progression Board in specific circumstances as stated in the University’s Academic Regulations. The Board’s decision may mean that SAP has not been achieved and this may have resulted in the student being placed on Financial Aid Probation. The student has 5 working days from when the results are published to appeal against the board's decision.

There are 2 valid grounds for appeal:

  1. that performance was affected by factors which the student was unable, or for valid reasons unwilling, to divulge before the decision of the Final Examination and Progression Board;

  2. that there has been a material administrative error or that the decision was not made in accordance with the current regulations for the course, or that some other material irregularity has occurred.

The outcome of an appeal application will normally be received by the student within 20 working days but can be longer in complex cases. Further information on appeals, and the grounds for appeal, may be found in the University’s Academic Regulations.

An appeal cannot be made against the contents of the SAP statement or the decision of Financial Aid Probation being applied.

Student Loan Denied Status

While students are on Student Loan Probation they must maintain the minimum progression requirements. Failure to do so will place a student on Student Loan Denied status. Students failing to satisfy the minimum requirement of passing all failed modules and successfully progressing after a repeat period of study, will be considered as academic failure and withdrawn from the course.

Reinstatement of Aid after Student Loan Denied Status

Reinstatement of Financial Aid after a student is placed on Student Loan Denied status is achieved only by the student submitting a written letter of appeal to the Academic Registrar, and the appeal is granted. The student is placed on Student Loan Probation rather than on Student Loan Denied status.

Appeals against Student Loan Denied Status

A student may appeal against Financial Aid Denied status. The basis on which a student may file an appeal are a death in the family, injury, illness or other special circumstances. The appeal must include supporting evidence for consideration, such as medical information, as well as information on how the student’s circumstances have changed to allow the student to demonstrate SAP at the next evaluation. The appeal must be made in writing to the Academic Registrar. If the appeal is granted, the student will then be placed on Federal Aid probation and can receive funds.

Change of Program or Degree

Students who decide to change their degree course will be evaluated similarly to transfer students with the exception that the credits previously earned at Leeds Arts University will be used to measure the qualitative requirements.

Reassessment or partial repeat due to academic failure

Students must complete all required modules by the end of each level. Students who achieve a passing grade may not repeat a module.  Students who do not pass at the first attempt are normally offered a resit opportunity during the summer vacation and, subject to a pass in the failed unit(s) and completing the level, will progress normally to the next level. The pace of progress is not affected in these circumstances.  

Repeat periods of study may be permitted to retake failed unit(s) and students are not normally allowed to repeat units already passed except in exceptional circumstances. Students undertaking a repeat period of study will be required to attend all teaching sessions and complete all the assessment requirements associated with the failed unit(s). The repeat period of study will equal the period of the failed units and maybe up to one academic year (120 credits). Details of reassessment and opportunity for partial repeat are found in the Academic Regulations.  There are no non-credit remedial courses.

Additional Degrees

Students who have completed a degree and wish to pursue another degree must apply for admission to that course and meet the admission requirements for the new course, as would any other applicant. Federal loan eligibility will be limited to the aggregate program maximums under Federal Regulations.

Questions 

If you have any questions regarding this SAP Policy, please contact the Academic Registrar at Leeds Arts University.

Return of Title IV Funds Policy

Leeds Arts University

Policy for Return of Title IV Funds

It is essential that you inform the University if you change the status of your studies in any way, if you for example:

  • Suspend

  • Withdraw

  • Transfer course

  • Transfer route

  • Change from full-time to half-time or less than half-time

  • If you register but do not commence attendance

Under US federal law, the University is required to report any changes to your enrolment within tight timescales. For students who withdraw from their studies, interrupt for more than 180 days, or complete their studies earlier than expected, it may be necessary to complete a Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculation and arrange for the return of any ‘unearned’ Direct Loan funds to the US Department of Education.

R2T4 Calculation

The Finance Office will complete a Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculation to calculate the amount of Title IV program assistance that has been earned, using a formula provided by the US Department of Education.

When a student withdraws during a payment period, the amount of Title IV programme assistance that has been earned up to that point is calculated by dividing the number of calendar days attended by the total number of calendar days in the payment period (excluding University scheduled breaks of 5 or more consecutive days.) For example, if the student completes 30% of the payment period or period of enrolment, the student has earned 30% of the assistance they were originally scheduled to receive.

The minimum time required for students to earn the full Title IV funding is 60% of the payment period. Students who complete more than 60% of the payment period are deemed to have earned 100% of the scheduled Title IV funds and no funds need to be returned.

If after the above calculation, the student has earned less than 60% of the Title IV funds for the payment period, the unearned funds that were already received must be returned to the US Department of Education. The University will return funds and the student may also need to return funds. 

Any credit balance refunds for withdrawn students will be put on hold until the Return of Title IV funds calculation has been completed. The regulatory timeframe for any credit balance will reset to 14 days from the day the Return of Title IV funds calculation is performed.

If a student withdraws during a payment period for which he/she has not received a disbursement of Federal Aid funds, the amount of funds that a student has earned will be calculated, the appropriate amount will be disbursed, and a payment submitted to the student, if applicable, following any university fee subtraction. The remaining funds will be returned to the US Department of Education.

If the student did not receive all of the funds that were earned, the student may be due a post-withdrawal disbursement. The University will notify the student within 30 days of the date that it has been determined the student has withdrawn of the amount of a post-withdrawal disbursement for which the student is eligible. The student may choose to accept any loan funds or to decline some or all of them.

Any post-withdrawal loan funds that are disbursed, like loan funds disbursed previously, will have to be repaid by the student.  The University will use the R2T4 worksheets as provided by the US Department of Education to determine how much of the loan may be retained and how much must be returned.

The University may use all or a portion of the post-withdrawal disbursement (including loan funds, if the student accepts them) for tuition and other costs.  The University would need the student’s permission to use the post-withdrawal disbursement for other charges.

The student will be required to inform the University whether he/she wishes to accept some or all of the available post-withdrawal loan funds within a specified period of time of not less than 14 days after the student is contacted by the University.  The University may honour a late response but will not honour a response that is more than 180 days after the date of determination.  The University will only disburse post-withdrawal funds upon documented confirmation by the borrower.   

There are some Title IV funds that students are scheduled to receive but which cannot be earned once a student withdraws because of other eligibility requirements. For example, in certain circumstances, if a first-time, first-year undergraduate student has failed to arrive or otherwise has not completed the first 30 days of their course before withdrawal, the student will not earn any Title IV funds that he or she would have received had the student remained enrolled past the 30th day.

In the event a student receives all failing grades for a semester, the Course Leader will contact Academic Registry to determine if the failed grades were earned (and thus are a representation of academic performance) or represent a lack of attendance. In the event it is determined that failure grades are the result of a lack of attendance, the student will be withdrawn from the US Direct Loan Programme.

If it is determined that the student never attended the University, the student will be withdrawn, all Title IV loans will be cancelled and any loan funds received for the student will be refunded to the US Department of Education.

If the student receives (or the University receives on behalf of the student) excess Title IV programme funds that must be returned, the University will return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of:

  1. The institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of the funds, or

  2. The entire amount of excess funds.

The requirements for return of Title IV program funds when a student withdraws are separate from the University’s Higher Education Tuition Fee and Bursary Policy.  A student may, therefore, still owe funds to the University to cover unpaid institutional charges.

Withdrawal dates for students who officially withdraw will be determined by the completion of a withdrawal form and an agreement between the University and the student of a last date of attendance, according to the University attendance records.

Withdrawal dates for students who unofficially withdraw will be recorded as the last date upon which the student’s attendance was recorded. The determination that a student has unofficially withdrawn will be made within 14 days of the last date of the student’s attendance.

Process for official withdrawal

A student may terminate their registration by formally notifying the Academic Registrar that they wish to discontinue their course. A withdrawal form (found on the University Portal) must be completed and submitted to the relevant Course Administrator in the Higher Education Administration Team. The Student Handbook contains full guidance on University processes and procedures for withdrawal including guidance on the implications for tuition fees and finances. The University reserves the right to terminate a student’s registration under specific circumstances as outlined in Academic Regulations.

Unearned Federal Aid funds will be returned to the US Department of Education no later than 45 days after determining the withdrawal date.

If it is determined that refund money must be returned to the US Department of Education, the distribution of funds will be allocated in the following order:

  • Federal Direct Unsubsidised

  • Federal Direct Subsidised

  • Federal PLUS

The Finance Office will inform withdrawn students by email of the amount that the University is obliged to return to the US Department of Education, the amount (if any) that needs to be paid to the University by the student, and the amount (if any) that is due to be refunded to the student by the University.

If it is identified during the R2T4 calculation that the student must return funds to the US Department of Education, it is the responsibility of the student to return the specified funds in accordance with the terms of the Master Promissory Note. 

Leave of Absence/Suspension or Interruption of Studies

For the purposes of Title IV there is no option for suspension or leave of absence as students cannot resume at the same point in the academic program as before the leave of absence. A student who requires a suspension of studies must withdraw and return the following academic year to resume studies.

Explanation of consequences of withdrawal to loan recipients

The University will report any student that suspends studies as withdrawn to the US Department of Education, providing the student’s change in enrolment status as the withdrawal date. One consequence of withdrawing is that the grace period for a Title IV programme loan might be exhausted and they may be required to immediately begin loan repayment.  The University will inform all Title IV loan recipients of all possible consequences of a withdrawal on the student’s loan repayment terms, including the exhaustion of the student’s grace period.

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