A long held myth about college is that class attendance is optional. Many believe that college faculty do not record student attendance. The reason that is a myth is rooted in federal regulations for student aid. Colleges are required to take class roll and report student absences to the college admissions office. Whether students participate in federal financial aid programs is immaterial to reporting. But students who do participate in federal financial aid programs (including loans), can be required to repay financial aid immediately if their attendance does not meet federal requirements.