Financial Aid Policies and Procedures

Hampton University maintains comprehensive financial policies and procedures to ensure transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of institutional funds. These policies govern budgeting, procurement, expense reimbursement, payroll, grants management, and internal controls, aligning with federal, state, and accreditation requirements. The university emphasizes ethical financial practices, proper documentation, and compliance with regulatory standards to support its academic mission and safeguard financial integrity.

Reporting Outside Scholarships or Assistance

You are required to report any outside scholarships, grants, or other financial assistance you expect to receive during the 2026–2027 academic year to the Financial Aid Office immediately. Failure to report outside assistance may result in a reduction, adjustment, or cancellation of your financial aid award.

Federal and State Funding

Federal and state funds (if included in your award) are contingent upon the university’s receipt of those funds from the appropriate government agencies.

Scholarship Renewal Requirements

To maintain eligibility for renewal:
• Merit Scholarships: o Must maintain full-time enrollment o Must earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at the end of the Spring semester
• Room Scholarships:
     o Must maintain full-time enrollment
     o Must earn a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA
• University (Full Ride) Scholarship: Must maintain full-time enrollment o Must earn a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA.

Enrollment Status Requirements

Your financial aid award is based on enrollment in at least 12 credit hours (full-time status) unless otherwise noted. If you enroll in fewer than 12 credit hours:
• Your aid may be revised or canceled according to federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
• You must also meet the university’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to continue receiving federal financial aid each year.

Adjustments and Special Circumstances

If your household financial situation changes significantly before August 1, please contact a Financial Aid Advisor to request instructions for submitting a Special Circumstances Petition. Please note: Funding is extremely limited.
• Only federal aid programs may be used to supplement awards, and adjustments must comply with federal regulations.

Payment of Financial Aid

Financial aid (including outside assistance) will be applied directly to your university account to cover outstanding charges.
• Federal Work-Study funds are excluded and are paid directly to the student as wages.
• If you are using outside scholarships or loan checks (federal or private), you may be required to endorse checks before credits or refunds are processed. If your award includes a Stafford Loan or Parent PLUS Loan, please be aware that these loans include an origination fee permitted by federal guidelines. Details regarding these fees are provided in your:
• Master Promissory Note (MPN)
• Notice of Guarantee and Disclosure Statement

E-Refund Program

Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the E-Refund Program to receive eligible refunds more quickly. For questions, please contact: Office of Student Business Services Phone: 757-727-5661.

Indirect Costs and Refund Timing

Refund processing times may vary. Students should be prepared to cover any necessary expenses incurred before refunds are issued (if eligible). You are not required to borrow loans to cover these expenses.

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG)

Eligible Virginia residents must complete and submit the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) application to the Financial Aid Office. Applications will be reviewed to determine eligibility.

Reporting Changes

You must immediately report any changes to:
• Name
• Address
• Enrollment status Changes must be reported to the Office of the Registrar.
Important:
• Dropping credit hours may result in a financial aid adjustment.
• Students who fully withdraw may be required to repay part or all of their financial aid.

FAFSA Renewal Requirement

Financial aid does not automatically renew each year. All students must submit a new FAFSA annually. You are encouraged to apply beginning October 1 each year.

Award Revisions or Cancellation

The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office reserves the right to revise or cancel your award due to:
• Underreported outside assistance
• Conflicting financial aid
• Changes in your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
• Changes in academic status
• Conflicts with federal or institutional regulations Submission of false or misleading information may result in:
• Immediate cancellation of aid
• Referral to the U.S. Department of Education for possible prosecution Federal law also permits a financial aid officer to refuse to certify an application for aid, when appropriate. All such decisions must be documented and are not appealable to the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA and Privacy Rights

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. Without your written consent, the Financial Aid Office cannot discuss your financial aid information with third parties — including parents not listed on your FAFSA. The university is committed to protecting your privacy rights in accordance with federal law. For more information, please visit the Financial Aid Office website under the “General Information” section.

Reporting Outside Scholarships or Assistance. You are required to report any outside scholarships, grants, or other financial assistance you expect to receive during the 2026–2027 academic year to the Financial Aid Office immediately. Failure to report outside assistance may result in a reduction, adjustment, or cancellation of your financial aid award.

 ________________________________________

Federal and State Funding Federal and state funds (if included in your award) are contingent upon the university’s receipt of those funds from the appropriate government agencies.

________________________________________

Scholarship Renewal Requirements To maintain eligibility for renewal: • Merit Scholarships: o Must maintain full-time enrollment o Must earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at the end of the Spring semester • Room Scholarships: o Must maintain full-time enrollment o Must earn a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA • University (Full Ride) Scholarship: Must maintain full-time enrollment o Must earn a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA

 ________________________________________

Enrollment Status Requirements Your financial aid award is based on enrollment in at least 12 credit hours (full-time status) unless otherwise noted. If you enroll in fewer than 12 credit hours: • Your aid may be revised or canceled according to federal, state, and institutional guidelines. • You must also meet the university’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to continue receiving federal financial aid each year.

 ________________________________________

Adjustments and Special Circumstances If your household financial situation changes significantly before August 1, please contact a Financial Aid Advisor to request instructions for submitting a Special Circumstances Petition. Please note: Funding is extremely limited. • Only federal aid programs may be used to supplement awards, and adjustments must comply with federal regulations.

________________________________________

Payment of Financial Aid • Financial aid (including outside assistance) will be applied directly to your university account to cover outstanding charges. • Federal Work-Study funds are excluded and are paid directly to the student as wages. • If you are using outside scholarships or loan checks (federal or private), you may be required to endorse checks before credits or refunds are processed. If your award includes a Stafford Loan or Parent PLUS Loan, please be aware that these loans include an origination fee permitted by federal guidelines. Details regarding these fees are provided in your: • Master Promissory Note (MPN) • Notice of Guarantee and Disclosure Statement ________________________________________

E-Refund Program Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the E-Refund Program to receive eligible refunds more quickly. For questions, please contact: Office of Student Business Services Phone: 757-727-5661

 ________________________________________

Indirect Costs and Refund Timing Refund processing times may vary. Students should be prepared to cover any necessary expenses incurred before refunds are issued (if eligible). You are not required to borrow loans to cover these expenses.

 ________________________________________

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) Eligible Virginia residents must complete and submit the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) application to the Financial Aid Office. Applications will be reviewed to determine eligibility.

 ________________________________________

Reporting Changes You must immediately report any changes to: • Name • Address • Enrollment status Changes must be reported to the Office of the Registrar. Important: • Dropping credit hours may result in a financial aid adjustment. • Students who fully withdraw may be required to repay part or all of their financial aid.

 ________________________________________

FAFSA Renewal Requirement Financial aid does not automatically renew each year. All students must submit a new FAFSA annually. You are encouraged to apply beginning October 1 each year. ________________________________________

Award Revisions or Cancellation The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office reserves the right to revise or cancel your award due to: • Underreported outside assistance • Conflicting financial aid • Changes in your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) • Changes in academic status • Conflicts with federal or institutional regulations Submission of false or misleading information may result in: • Immediate cancellation of aid • Referral to the U.S. Department of Education for possible prosecution Federal law also permits a financial aid officer to refuse to certify an application for aid, when appropriate. All such decisions must be documented and are not appealable to the U.S. Department of Education. ________________________________________

FERPA and Privacy Rights The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. Without your written consent, the Financial Aid Office cannot discuss your financial aid information with third parties — including parents not listed on your FAFSA. The university is committed to protecting your privacy rights in accordance with federal law. For more information, please visit the Financial Aid Office website under the “General Information” section.

 

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