Economic hardship

Your eligibility for aid is based primarily on the income and asset data you reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If a major change occurs in your financial situation, you may submit an appeal for our office to review your situation. Examples include a change in income, a change in marital status or major medical expenses.

Submit the Special Circumstances Form with accompanying documentation. Include your name and student ID number on all documents.

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Enrollment changes

To be eligible for aid, students must meet minimum enrollment requirements. A change of enrollment status could result in a revision of the financial aid package.

Contact your financial aid adviser if:

  • You plan to take fewer hours than minimum required for full-time enrollment.
  • You plan to take independent-study courses.

Withdrawing

If you withdraw from classes during a semester, you may have to repay the aid you received. Using a federal formula, the Office of Student Financial Aid determines whether the aid you received exceeds reasonable allowances for the educational and living expenses incurred. If you received more than necessary for the time enrolled, a refund to your aid program will be made. If your withdrawal is back-dated to the beginning of the semester, all aid will be refunded to the aid program, and you will receive a bill from the Office of Cashiers for the total amount of aid you received. It is recommended you check with your financial aid adviser before withdrawing to determine how your financial aid eligibility will be affected.

Recipients of federal- and state-funded grants and loans who withdraw from Mizzou or stop attending classes before 60 percent of the semester has passed are required to return any unearned portion of federal and State of Missouri student aid received.

Examples of aid programs affected by this policy include:

The calculation of the return of these funds may result in the student owing a balance to the university, the State of Missouri and/or the federal government. All or a portion of the required repayment may come from a refund of fees. For purposes of refunds of federal and state aid, if a student does not formally withdraw from the university, the official withdrawal date is the midpoint of the semester or the last date the student engaged in an academic activity, whichever is later. It is extremely important that students who cease attending classes initiate formal withdrawal from the university by filing a withdrawal form.