Reviewed & Updated: August 2024
Students receiving Title IV financial aid must be academically engaged to receive aid. For all courses in which a student is enrolled, the Financial Aid office ensures participation (aka academic engagement) through instructor reporting. For any courses in which a student is not participating, associated financial aid may be recalculated. This includes a possible return of previously disbursed funds.
The federal definition of academic engagement is outlined below:
Regardless of whether the school is required to take attendance or not, “academic attendance" and "attendance at an academically-related activity" under 34 CFR 668.22(l) must meet the definition of "academic engagement" under 34 CFR 600.2 as follows:
Active participation by a student in an instructional activity related to the student’s course of study that is defined by the institution in accordance with any applicable requirements of its State or accrediting agency; and includes, but is not limited to:
-
Attending asynchronous class, lecture, recitation, or field or laboratory activity, physically or online, where there is an opportunity for interaction between the instructor and students;
-
Submitting an academic assignment;
-
Taking an assessment or an exam;
-
Participating in an interactive tutorial, webinar, or other interactive computer-assisted instruction;
-
Participating in a study group, group project, or an online discussion that is assigned by the institution;
-
Interacting with an instructor about academic matters.
The definition of academic engagement does not include activities where a student may be present, but not academically engaged, such as:
-
Living in institutional housing;
-
Participating in the school’s meal plan;
-
Logging into an online class or tutorial without any further participation;
-
Participating in academic counseling or advising; or
-
Participating in a student-organized study group.
The determination of academic engagement must be made by the institution in accordance with any state and/or accrediting agency requirements. A student’s self-certification alone is not sufficient documentation of academic engagement it must be supported by institutional documentation of the student’s attendance in the activity.