Dropping Classes & Returning Financial Aid

Always contact the Financial Aid Office before dropping classes to understand how your specific aid may be affected.

Financial Aid May Be Returned

Dropping classes or stopping participation may result in the return or adjustment of financial aid or scholarships, which can lead to a charge on your BYU-Idaho student account.

Key Points to Remember

1. Participation Matters for Federal Financial Aid

Federal financial aid is based on participation, not just enrollment.

• Participation includes a recorded interaction in the class, such as a submission of an assignment, a discussion post, or a quiz.
• If you drop a class that you never participated in, federal aid for that class will be returned.
• If you drop all Program Applicable (PA) classes or stop participating, BYU-Idaho must calculate how much federal aid you earned.
• Any federal aid you have not earned will be returned, and a charge will appear on your BYU-Idaho student account for the return of funds. 

Learn more about how federal aid is calculated and returned on the Returning Federal Student Aid (Title IV Funds) page.

2. Timing Matters When Dropping Classes

Every student's situation is different. The examples below are provided for general guidance and may not cover every scenario.

Dropping Before FADD (Financial Aid Determination Date).

• Dropping a class before FADD may affect both federal financial aid and BYU-Idaho scholarships.
• Your enrollment level is used to determine aid eligibility and is adjusted until FADD. Changes made before this date may change the amount of aid you qualify for.

Dropping After FADD
Dropping a class after FADD can affect your financial aid and academic standing. Please review the information below carefully.

Return of Financial Aid

• If you drop a class without participating in it, financial aid will be returned for that class.
• This also applies to 2nd Block classes dropped without participation.
• If you drop all of your classes, a federal calculation will be completed to determine whether financial aid must be returned.

Scholarships

• Dropping after FADD will not affect BYU-Idaho scholarships for that semester.

Academic Impact

• You will receive W grades, which may impact your future financial aid eligibility under Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.

3. Type of Class Matters

• Program Applicable (PA) classes count toward federal financial aid eligibility.
  
  • Remedial courses are treated like PA courses.
• Dropping PA classes may reduce or cancel federal aid.
• Dropping any class may affect BYU-Idaho scholarships.
  

Financial Implications of Dropping Classes

Dropping classes can affect both federal financial aid and BYU-Idaho scholarships

Dropping classes can affect both federal financial aid and BYU-Idaho scholarships.

• Federal aid you are no longer eligible for is returned to the federal government.
• Scholarships you are no longer eligible for are returned.
• Tuition that aid has already paid becomes your responsibility and is charged to your account.
• Dropping classes may also affect your future financial aid eligibility. Find out more on our Satisfactory Academic Progress SAP page.

Official vs. Unofficial Withdrawal

Official Withdrawal

Occurs when you formally withdraw from all Program Applicable (PA) classes.

Remedial courses are treated like PA courses.

Federal aid depends on how much aid you earned and is calculated based on how many days you attended.

• If you complete more than 60% of the term, you earn all federal aid.
• If you complete less than 60% of the term, unearned aid must be returned.
  
  • If you did not participate in a course, aid may be returned for that class.
  • This includes any aid paid for a class you did not participate in.

Unofficial Withdrawal

• Occurs when you stop participating and earn: 
  
  • All UW grades, or 
  • A combination of UW and W grades 
• Professors report participation at the end of the term.

See the Returning Federal Student Aid (Title IV Funds) page for full details.

Impact on BYU-Idaho Scholarships

• Scholarships are finalized at 11:59 p.m. on the FADD 
• Dropping credits before FADD may reduce your scholarship 
• Dropping credits after FADD will not affect that semester’s scholarship 
• Scholarships are based on enrollment level, so dropping even one credit may reduce your award 

BYU-Idaho 2025-2026 Scholarship Awards

Need Help Before Dropping a Class?

For questions about dropping classes or how your aid may be affected:

• Email: financialaid@byui.edu
• Use the chat bubble to speak with a Financial Aid specialist