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Return of Title IV (R2T4)

When a student withdraws from all active courses during a payment period (semester) for any reason, he/she may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds that he/she was originally scheduled to receive. The return of funds is based upon the premise that students earn their financial aid in proportion to the amount of time they are enrolled. This includes students who are registered but not attending all active courses during the payment period.

Federal regulations established by the U.S. Department of Education require the financial aid office to perform a Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculation to determine the percentage of federal financial aid a student has earned in the designated payment period. This is based on the last date of an academically related activity in all active courses during the payment period.

The following enrollment changes may initiate an R2T4 calculation:

  • Complete withdrawal from all courses within a payment period.
  • Complete withdrawal from all courses in which a student is receiving federal financial aid within a payment period.
  • Course registration status changes to Registered Not Attending (RN) in all active courses.
  • Withdrawing/dropping from part of term course (less than 16 weeks in length) without providing written confirmation of return to course later in payment period.
  • Completing a part of term course within a payment period then dropping, not attending, or withdrawing from a course starting later in the payment period.
  • Failure to earn a passing grade in the last course in a payment period even if a student completed a part of term course early in the payment period.
  • Failure to earn a passing grade in all courses attempted in the payment period.
  • Completing all courses before the scheduled last day of a payment period.

The only exemptions from the R2T4 calculation requirement apply to modules for the following situations:

  • Students who complete all program graduation requirements before completing the days/hours in the period they were scheduled to complete.
  • Successful completion of coursework with passing grades equal to or greater than half-time (6+ credit hours).
  • Successful completion of 49% or more of the number of days in the payment period in one module, or a combination of modules.

Return of Title IV (R2T4) Calculation

If a student is determined to have completely withdrawn from Pima Community College, the financial aid office must process a Return of Title IV calculation. Students who complete more than 60% of a payment period are considered to have earned 100% of the federal financial aid disbursed to them for the payment period. Students who do not complete more than 60% of the payment period will have all or a portion of disbursed funds returned to the federal government. Additionally, the last date of attendance is used to determine the students’ separation date for federal loan repayment purposes.

Students who have verified attendance, but have withdrawn prior to disbursement of Title IV funds may be eligible for a post withdrawal disbursement. Students may cancel their Title IV aid if they choose not to receive these funds, please submit the Federal Aid Cancellation Request form.

Order of Return of Title IV Funds

Title IV funds will be returned to the appropriate federal programs in the following order:

  • Unsubsidized Direct Loan
  • Subsidized Direct Loan
  • Direct PLUS Loan (parent)
  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG)
  • FSEOG
  • TEACH Grant

The College will return funds as soon as possible after the calculation is complete and no later than 45 days from the date of determination of the student’s withdrawal.

Treatment Of Title IV Funds When A Student Withdraws From A Credit-Hour Program Worksheet

Student Notification

Once the school has made any needed adjustments to a student’s Title IV funding, the student will receive notification within 30 days from the date of determination.

  • Recalculations due to students never beginning attendance in some or all courses will receive notification through their PCC email address.
  • Students who have withdrawn from the institution will receive notification through their PCC email address. This notification will outline the amount that needs to be repaid to the institution or to the Department of Education.
  • If the student PCC email notification is bounced back, a paper notification will be mailed out to the permanent address on file.

Charges will be listed in the student’s MyPima account and must be paid directly to Pima Community College.

Return of Title IV (R2T4) Reversal

A registration status of "Registered Not Attending" (RN) in all active courses at Pima Community College is considered an unofficial withdrawal, causing a Return to Title IV calculation. Students who return to courses and continue to participate may have the Return to Title IV reversed by resuming attendance.

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