Title IV Authorization
Under Federal Regulation all students who receive Title IV federal aid are requested to complete the Title IV Authorization Form.
Title IV funds are federal student aid funds administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Title IV funds include Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan, Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, Direct PLUS Loan, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG). It does not include scholarships from Middlebury or other private organizations.
The U.S. Department of Education requires that Title IV funds be applied to specific allowable charges such as tuition, mandatory fees, and housing and food billed by Middlebury. Any Title IV funds awarded to a student in excess of these charges must be refunded to the student. However, with student’s authorization, Middlebury can use the Title IV funds to pay for charges on the student’s account other than allowable charges, such as dorm damage, parking fines, health insurance, or library fines, or Middlebury can hold the funds to pay for charges incurred in a future semester within the same academic year. These authorizations are voluntary and may be revoked at any time, although cancellation is not retroactive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Title IV Authorization Form?
Middlebury, in compliance with federal regulations, must obtain the voluntary permission from the student to apply federal financial aid proceeds to pay for charges other than tuition, mandatory fees, and housing and food billed by Middlebury.
How do I complete the Parent Title IV Authorization Form?
A parent who has borrowed through the Federal Direct PLUS Loan program mus also complete the Parent Title IV Authorization Form if the proceeds of the loan are to be used for future charges other than tuition, mandatory fees, housing and food billed by Middlebury. The completed form should be returned to the Student Financial Services office at sfs@middlebury.edu.
What is a Title IV credit balance?
A credit balance occurs when the total amount of Title IV aid funds disbursed to your student account exceeds charges for tuition, mandatory fees, and housing and food billed by Middlebury.
What does the first authorization say?
I, the student, authorize Middlebury to apply Federal Title IV aid funds to non-institutional charges that might be posted to my student account. Examples of these charges may include, but not limited to, parking fines, dorm damage, health insurance, library fines, or late payment fees. I further authorize any Title IV fund credit balance to pay any minor outstanding charges from prior years, not to exceed $200.”
If a student says “Yes” to this question, federal funds can be used to pay for other charges that may be billed to a student’s account. Additionally, federal funds can pay for charges from prior years up to $200.
If a student says “No” to this question, a billing statement will be issued requesting payment for those other expenses. If a student says “No”, and does not pay for these other expenses out-of-pocket, they risk an “account hold” for unpaid charges, which could prevent registration in future semesters.
What does the second authorization say?
If I, the student, have a credit balance exceeding tuition, housing and food created by Federal Title IV funds (excluding institutional or private funds), I authorize Middlebury to hold the funds in my student account until the subsequent billing period within the same academic year.
If a student says “Yes” to this authorization, then any credit balance that was a result of Title IV funds would remain on their student account to pay for future charges, such as next term’s tuition or current term adjustments. If a Title IV credit remains at the end of the student’s academic year, Middlebury will issue a refund, per federal requirements.
If a student says “No,” then the student will be refunded their credit balance via direct deposit or check.
Do I have to submit a new authorization form each year?
Yes, students will need to submit a Title IV Authorization Form each year they receive Title IV Funds while a student at Middlebury.
What if I don't grant the authorizations or change my mind?
Authorizations are voluntary. A student may revoke their authorization at any time by emailing the Student Financial Services office. Cancellations are not retroactive.