Your Rights and Responsibilities

Your Rights

• What financial aid programs are available at New Mexico Highlands University.
• The deadlines for submitting applications for each of the programs.
• How financial aid is distributed, how decisions on distributions are made, and the basis for these decisions.
• How your financial need was determined (costs for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, personal, and miscellaneous expenses are considered in your budget).
• What resources (your current assets, parental contribution, other financial aid, etc.) are considered in the calculation of your need.
• How much of your financial need, as determined by Highlands, has been met.
• The details of the various programs in your student aid package.
• Highlands refund policy.
• What portion of the financial aid you receive must be repaid and what portion is grant aid. If the aid is a loan, you have the right to know the interest rate, the total amount that must be repaid, the payback procedures, the length of time you have to repay the loan, and when repayment is to begin.
• How Highlands determines if you are making satisfactory academic progress and what happens if you are not.
• Highlands withdrawal process and the return of FSA funds process when you withdraw.
• Highlands Student Code of Conduct.
• Highlands drug and alcohol policy.
• Highlands security policy; access to the campus security report and annual fire safety report on student housing. 
• Highlands student loan (FFELP/Direct) cohort default rate (FY09 5.8%).
• Highlands retention rates and graduation rates.

Your Responsibilities

• Complete all application forms accurately and submit them on time to the proper place.
• Provide correct information. In most instances, misreporting information on financial aid applications could result in indictment under the U.S. Criminal Code.
• Return all additional documentation, verification, corrections, and/or new information requested by either the Financial Aid Office or the agency to which you submitted your application.
• Be responsible for reading and understanding all forms you sign. Keep copies.
• Live up to all agreements you sign.
• Perform the work agreed upon when accepting work study awards.
• Be aware of and comply with deadlines.
• Report all changes in name, address, telephone number, and enrollment status to the Financial Aid Office and Registrars Office.