Attendance Verification Policy

Understanding Attendance Verification

Federal regulations require that students earn their financial aid funds by attending and actively participating in their courses. Attendance verification is conducted to ensure compliance with Title IV financial aid regulations.

Faculty members report attendance and participation information to verify a student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid, through the process called Last Date of Attendance (LDA).

If a student fails to begin participation in any course, the institution is required to reduce the student’s financial aid enrollment level and adjust eligibility accordingly.

Spring 2026 Attendance Verification Dates

The Spring 2026 Attendance Verification Window will occur biweekly at 3:00 p.m. beginning January 30, 2026, through April 24, 2026. During each verification cycle, the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will review reported LDAs to ensure compliance with federal Title IV regulations regarding course participation and aid eligibility.

Important Dates & Actions

*Please note that any attendance not reported by 3:00 p.m. on April 24, 2026, will be reviewed after final grades are submitted, which may impact financial aid processing and result in financial holds preventing further registration by Student Accounts.

Summer 2026 Attendance Verification Dates

The Summer 2026 Attendance Verification Window will occur on the listed dates beginning at 4:00 p.m. During each verification cycle, the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will review reported LDAs to ensure compliance with federal Title IV regulations regarding course participation and aid eligibility.

Important Dates & Actions

*Please note that any attendance not reported by 4:00 p.m. on July 15, 2026, will be reviewed after final grades are submitted, which may impact financial aid processing and result in financial holds preventing further registration by Student Accounts.

Fall 2026 Attendance Verification Dates

The Fall 2026 Attendance Verification Window will occur on the listed dates beginning at 4:00 p.m. During each verification cycle, the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will review reported LDAs to ensure compliance with federal Title IV regulations regarding course participation and aid eligibility.

Important Dates & Actions

*Please note that any attendance not reported by 4:00 p.m. on October 22, 2026, will be reviewed after final grades are submitted, which may impact financial aid processing and result in financial holds preventing further registration by Student Accounts.

Attendance Verification Review Changes

Effective the Summer 2026 semester, SUSLA Office of Financial Aid & Scholarship will align its attendance verification review with that of SUSLA Academic Affairs.

Attendance verification will be completed by SUSLA Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships by 4:00 pm on the designated Academic Affairs last date of attendance (LDA) reporting days.

*Please note that any attendance not reported by 4:00 p.m. on the final designated Academic Affairs last date of attendance (LDA) reporting days will be reviewed at the end of the term, which may impact financial aid processing and result in financial holds preventing further registration by Student Accounts.

Failure to Begin Attendance (FBA)

A student is considered to have failed to begin attendance if:

• The student never attends or participates in a registered course.
• The instructor reports the student as a no-show.
• The student receives a grade of:
  • “FN” (Failure – No Show)
  • “NS” (No Show)

When this occurs:

• The student’s enrollment status is recalculated.
• Financial aid eligibility is reduced to reflect actual attendance.
• Aid may be decreased, canceled, or required to be repaid.

Aid Adjustments & Aid Authorizations

Financial aid disbursement authorizations are based on verified enrollment and attendance. Adjustments will occur under the following circumstances:

1. Enrollment Status Changes

Federal funds are disbursed based on enrollment status as verified by the last date of attendance reported. If attendance does not support the original

enrollment level, aid will be recalculated.

2. Non-Attendance Reported at End of Term

If an instructor reports non-attendance at the end of the term (including grades of “FN” or “NS”):

• Federal Direct (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent PLUS) Loans
• Federal Pell Grant
• TOPS
• GO Grant

will be adjusted to reflect actual participation.

3. Withdrawals Without Documented Attendance

If a student receives:

• A withdrawal (W) and
• No last date of attendance is reported

SUSLA Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will adjust financial aid in accordance with federal regulations.

This may result in:

• Reduction of aid
• Return of funds to the U.S. Department of Education (SUSLA Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships Return of Title IV Policy)
• A balance owed to the institution and/or U.S. Department of Education

4. Concurrent Enrollment at Multiple Institutions

Students who receive either the Federal Pell Grant and/or Federal Direct Loans at more than one institution during the same academic year, exceeding annual or aggregate limits, will have their aid adjusted to comply with federal maximum eligibility limits.

This may result in:

• Reduction of aid
• Return of funds to the U.S. Department of Education (Return of Title IV Policy)
• A balance owed to the institution and/or U.S. Department of Education

Important Student Responsibilities

• To protect your financial aid eligibility:
• Attend and actively participate in all registered courses.
• Drop courses you do not plan to attend before the census deadlines as published in the Academic Calendar.
• Communicate with instructors regarding attendance.
• Monitor your SUS email and Self-Service Banner 9 Financial Aid Dashboard regularly.
• Avoid enrolling at multiple institutions without consulting SUSLA Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.
• Notify the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships if you have questions regarding enrollment status or aid adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions?

For additional information regarding attendance verification, enrollment status, or financial aid adjustments, please contact:

SUSLA Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Email: financialaid@susla.edu
Phone: (318) 670-9221