Consumer Disclosure Information
Consumer Disclosure Information for Students and Prospective Students (US Federal Loans).
DCU provides notice of the availability of Institutional and comprehensive Information on Financial Aid, Repayments, Default etc. on the Financial Aid Section of our website. For information and direction, please contact our Financial Aid Administrator. The website should be read very carefully in advance.
For information about all need based and non-need based federal, local, private and institutional student financial assistance is available to students at DCU in the Financial Aid section of our website, International Students Scholarship, Student Fees and Grants Office page and Graduate Studies Advice on Research Scholarship Applications page.
For Information on how to manage your Finances while at DCU, please visit our Student Support and Development Financial Pages which provides monthly and annual Financial estimates.
Withdrawal Policy and R2T4 Process and Policy
If you withdraw or fail to attend your programme, you MUST inform the International Office, The Financial Aid Administrator and your Guarantee Agency/Lender no later than five working days after withdrawal. Students who withdraw from their programme of study are required to follow the University Withdrawal procedure here. Failure to attend after enrolment is deemed to be a withdrawal. Any "unearned" loan funds disbursed to you directly must be returned to the lender.
Withdrawal before completion of 60% of the programme of study: If a student withdraws from their programme of study before and up to a point when 60% of their programme of study has expired, DCU is required in accordance with federal regulations to return all loan funds disbursed on the student’s behalf to the US Department of Education (DoE). Students in receipt of Federal Aid Loans who withdraw from the course of study are not eligible for the refund of tuition or indeed any fees or costs that have been drawn from Federal Aid Loan funds. DCU is at liberty to request the immediate re-payment of any proportionate amount up to the certified aggregate annual loan amount if the US Department of Education requires DCU to return the entire loan funds certified in the student’s name. This means that the entire loan amount certified for any one academic year and any portion of it which may have been returned to the student as a credit balance by DCU must be returned to DCU if the US Department of Education indicate that the student’s loan funds are ‘unearned’. Students should note that the return of loan funds does not cancel their liability to DCU for any tuition fee balance outstanding on their account.
Example: Student A borrows $10,000 which he puts towards his tuition fees. He withdraws from his course 35% of the way through the programme. Therefore as a result: 35% of the loan is retained by the university as ‘earned’ aid and 65% of the loan must be returned to the US DoE as ‘unearned’ aid. The student does not get to retain any part of the loan. Therefore, a student who received a refund (for living expenses etc.) from the college after tuition was deducted will be required to repay the “unearned” portion to DCU.
Withdrawal after completion of 60% of the programme of study: If the student completes more than 60% of their course of study, they are not entitled to a refund of their tuition fees as DCU has maintained their study place and allocated resources for their academic progress.
Dublin City University has a clear refund policy for students attending the university which can be seen here . The following is an addendum for students who are utilising US Federal student aid funds. Pro-rata refund calculations apply for any international student who is attending Dublin City University and who withdraws within 60% off the payment period. If you withdraw from the University whilst in receipt of aid, you may also be required to pay back money to the US Federal government. DCU's R2T4 Withdrawals Policy can be found here.
If a student who receives financial aid withdraws from the University and is due a refund of fees paid for that period of enrolment, a determination must be made as to whether any of the refund money must be returned to the US Federal aid program. If it is determined that refund money must be returned to the aid program, the distribution or order of payment will be as follows:
1. Federal Stafford Unsubsidized
2. Federal Stafford Subsidized
3. Federal PLUS
Satisfactory Academic Policy
Satisfactory Academic progress (SAP) means that you are required to maintain an average of at least 40% over grades in each semester. Failure to do so may result in SAP Probation and you being ineligible to receive subsequent disbursements of your loan.
Dublin City University is required by U.S Department of Education Regulations 34 CFR (Part 668.16) to define and enforce standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The guidelines have been established to encourage students to complete successfully, any academic programs for which aid is received. Students are entitled to modify their enrolment within the first two weeks of each semester and retain eligibility for aid, provided they maintain a full-time enrolment and do not drop below half-time.
In accordance with U.S Department of Education Regulations 34 CFR (Part 668.34a), an eligible institution is required to verify SAP for all FSA recipients before releasing any disbursed funds. All students in receipt of US Federal Aid whilst studying at DCU are required to make satisfactory progress on their course and abide by University Regulations.
The University Regulations can be found by visiting the OVPAA office webpage here and here.
Federal Loan students should be familiar with DCU's Policy on SAP. View DCU's Policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) here.
SAP Probation
If students fail to meet academic standards, a warning will be issued and students will be permitted to receive financial aid for the next semester. However, after the one semester of the warning period, students who fail to return to good standing will be ineligible for financial assistance. Students may appeal ineligibility by providing information on extenuating circumstances, indicating what has changed to allow successful academic progress. If an appeal is granted, students may be placed on financial aid probation and asked to follow an academic plan that will lead to meeting minimum SAP requirements in the near future. If students do not meet the terms of probation, eligibility for financial aid will cease and all remaining aid will be cancelled. Subsequent appeals of the same nature are not permitted. Once a student falls from his/her academic plan and loses eligibility, the only way to regain eligibility for financial aid is to meet the SAP requirements.
Facilities and Services available to Students with Disabilities
For information on facilities and services available for students with disabilities, please visit DCU’s Disability and Learning Support Service.
Cost of Attendance
For information about the cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation costs, and any other additional costs, please see our Student Support Pages.
Cost of Attendance is based on tuition fees/ accommodation/ living costs and calculated after taking into account the student's EFC. Email tiziana.pistani@dcu.ie to request your Cost of Attendance (COA) figure/amount.
Intellectual Property at DCU
For information on Intellectual Property at DCU, visit web link here.
Drugs and Alcohol Abuse Prevention
Please see our Alcohol Policy here at DCU. The University operates a clear ‘no drugs’ policy and offenders will be subject to disciplinary procedures outlined here.
Also, visit the following link: https://www.dcu.ie/students/az/drugs
Loan Disclosures
DCU are required to inform the student or parent that the loan will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorised users of the data system. DCU request a disclosure permit form for signature by the borrowing party.
Students may obtain private loans, subject to credit check and lending criteria. Under the ‘Truth in Lending Act’, we are required to disclose consumer information related to these private loans.
The following private loan companies have made loans to DCU students in the past: SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT Sallie Mae
Retention Rates
Dublin City University retention or progression data can be found this HEA Study of Progression in Higher Education Report. See page 50 of the report for the Dublin City University figures. See Table G5 on page 53 for a breakdown of that figure by ISCED code. This is the most up to date information available in this area.
92% of DCU students are in employment or further study within six months of graduation.
For Career Placement and Employment Data please consult our Statistician within our Quality Promotions Office who annually collects Career Placement, Continuing Education Data and Employment Data.
Intercollegiate Athletic Programme
Dublin City University does not have an 'intercollegiate athletic programme’ as defined by the US Department of Education.
Missing Persons Protocol
See our Emergency Procedures here.
DCU takes a community approach to promote personal safety for all students, staff and visitors through awareness, partnership and prevention. In order to ensure a safe and secure environment in DCU, everybody is encouraged to play their part in looking out for their own safety and for the safety of others.
The Health and Safety Office offers support to the university community in the event of an emergency, security incident, or similar on campus.
The purpose of the Health and Safety Office is to provide advice and assistance on all aspects of Health & Safety to the DCU community and in doing so maintain the University in good standing in relation to Health & Safety legislative obligations from national and international best practices.
Visit their Webpage for information and contact the 24 Hour DCU Emergency Number in the event of an emergency:
+353 1 700 5999
Student Privacy
Please visit the Chief Operating Officers page for University Policy on Data Protection. The International office also ensures that all relevant parties are aware of any potential data sharing and relevant parties are asked to sign a disclosure form.
Dublin City University will provide information published by the US Department of Education to students at any time that information regarding loan availability is requested, including the rights and responsibilities of students and schools under Title IV HEA (Higher Education Act) loan programs.
Student Information Published by the US Department of Education
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
Dublin City University will submit the details of your loan to NSLDS and this data will be accessible to guarantee agencies, lenders and schools determined to be authorised users of the data system.
Entrance Counselling for Loan Borrowers
Prior to the first disbursement, first-time borrowers (other than for Parent PLUS loans) will be provided with comprehensive information on the terms and conditions of the loan and of the borrower’s responsibilities through entrance counselling. The entrance counselling is required to be completed via the web link Studentaid.gov before a loan will be approved by Dublin City University.
Exit Counselling for Loan Borrowers
Federal regulations require that all Direct Loan borrowers who graduate or withdraw from their programme of study complete an Exit Counselling Session. This session is designed to provide borrowers with important information about their responsibilities, as well as repayment information. You can complete Exit Counselling via web link Studentaid.gov.
You should receive repayment information from your loan servicer approximately 3 months after you leave school. If you do not receive this information, it is your responsibility to contact the US Dept. of Education or loan servicer before the end of your grace period to arrange for the repayment of your loan. It is important that you plan for the repayment of your loan. You will have an opportunity to estimate your monthly payment as you proceed through the online counselling session.
The university will also, notify student loan borrowers that they must complete exit counselling shortly before the student borrower ceases at least half-time study at the school.
PLUS Counselling for Loan Borrowers
Prior to the first disbursement, borrowers who are informed by the US Department of Education that they have an adverse credit history (and have obtained an approved endorser or documented to the satisfaction of the US Department of Education that there are extenuating circumstances related to the adverse credit history) will be required to undertake PLUS counselling. PLUS counselling is required to be completed via Studentaid.gov before a loan will be approved by Dublin City University.
Dublin City University’s code of conduct for US education loan borrowers is as follows:
In order to prohibit a conflict of interest with the responsibilities of an agent with respect to private education loans, all agents at the School with responsibility for US loans are prohibited from:
- revenue-sharing arrangements with any lender;
- receiving gifts from a lender, a guarantor, or a loan servicer;
- contracting arrangements providing financial benefit from any lender or affiliate of a lender;
- directing borrowers to particular lenders* or refusing or delaying loan certifications;
- offers of funds for private loans;
- Call centre or financial aid office staffing assistance; and advisory board compensation.
All agents with responsibility for US loans are reminded at least annually of the code.
Disclaimer
DCU has tried to give students an early opportunity to begin their research of student funding and provides personalised email information at initial enquiry stage. Although every effort has been made to ensure that information provided is both helpful to prospective candidates and accurate at the time of its publication, it is possible that some information may be outdated or superseded before the start of the academic year.