Withdrawing from Tulane University: Effect on Financial Aid

Now: If Tulane adjusts tuition and/or mandatory charges, Tulane merit and/or need-based scholarship funds may be recalculated based on the updated charges and enrollment status. Students who are not graduating seniors must remain enrolled full-time for scholarships to apply. Final-semester seniors approved by Academic Advising for less-than-full-time enrollment may receive prorated scholarship funding based on the actual reduced tuition charge.

Later: Tulane scholarship eligibility is reviewed annually in June based on the most recent academic year, including Fall and Spring enrollment, even if the student enrolled for only one semester. Students must meet the applicable scholarship GPA and enrollment requirements for renewal. If requirements are not met, the student is placed on scholarship probation for the upcoming year. During probation, Fall/Spring semester GPA requirements apply until the cumulative GPA requirement is met, and the student must remain enrolled full-time both Fall and Spring. Reduction below full-time after the Registrar’s 100% tuition and fee deadline will be considered a failure to meet the full-time enrollment requirement for that semester. After the probation year, failure to meet requirements may result in scholarship termination, with an appeal option available.

Need-Based Scholarship Note: For Tulane institutional need-based scholarship consideration, students must also complete the required annual financial aid application process, including the CSS Profile, FAFSA, family tax documents, W-2s, and any other requested documentation. Need-based scholarship eligibility and award amounts may change each year based on financial circumstances and completion of required materials.

Now: A partial withdrawal may affect federal financial aid if enrollment level changes. Federal grants and loans may be adjusted based on enrollment status/enrollment intensity, drop/withdrawal timing, and aid type. For 2026-2027 and later, a new federal recalculation rule titled “Schedule of Reductions” will reduce Direct Loan eligibility for all less-than-full-time enrollment; Federal Work-Study is paid only for hours worked.

Later: Withdrawing courses and courses dropped after the published Last Day to Register/Add deadline are counted as attempted coursework for Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP is evaluated after each semester. If SAP requirements are not met, the student may receive a SAP warning or may become ineligible for federal aid, depending on prior SAP status. Students may appeal a SAP suspension by the financial aid office’s noted deadline, but approval is not guaranteed.

Now: If the student fully withdraws or otherwise discontinues study, the Financial Aid Office must complete a Return of Title IV calculation to determine the amount of federal aid earned based on the withdrawal date. Unearned federal aid may need to be returned to the federal source, which may create or increase a balance owed on the student’s Tulane billing account. Federal Work-Study is not included in this calculation because students are only paid for hours worked.

Later: Full withdrawal may affect Federal SAP because withdrawn courses count as attempted but not earned. SAP is evaluated after each semester. If SAP requirements are not met, the student may receive a SAP warning or may become ineligible for federal aid, depending on prior SAP status. Students may appeal a SAP suspension by the financial aid office’s noted deadline, but approval is not guaranteed.

Now: If Tulane adjusts tuition and/or enrollment status, TOPS may be adjusted. TOPS eligibility may also be impacted if the student drops below full-time enrollment or does not meet annual earned-hour requirements.

Later: If TOPS continuation requirements are not met, TOPS may be canceled by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA). Students may contact LOSFA regarding possible appeal or exception options: https://www.osfa.la.gov/

More information can be located on the Tulane Financial Aid webpage.

• Maintaining Eligibility: https://financialaid.tulane.edu/resources/how-financial-aid-works/maintaining-eligibility
• Tulane Scholarships: Merit and Need-Based / Scholarship Continuation Requirements: https://financialaid.tulane.edu/resources/how-financial-aid-works/maintaining-eligibility/merit-scholarship-continuation-requirements
• Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress: https://financialaid.tulane.edu/resources/eligibility/sap