Refunds

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Credit Balance Refund Policies

Federal Student Aid When a Student Withdraws

Credit Balance Refund Policies

If a student has a credit balance on their account, a refund check will be issued within 14 days, unless the student authorizes the College, in writing, to hold the credit balance for a future semester. On the Friday following the refund check being generated, the refund check will be available for pickup at the Business Office cashier window. If the refund check is not picked up by 2 p.m., it will be mailed to the billing address on the student account. The refund check will be made payable to the student, unless the student requests, in writing, the refund check be made payable to another party. Plus Loan and Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) loan refunds will be made payable to parent that borrowed the money.

Tuition, Housing, and Meal Plan Refund Policy

When a student withdraws from the College, refunds will be calculated according to the following schedules, except that unpaid school charges will be subtracted prior to the refund check being disbursed.

1. Tuition, fees, housing and meal plan charges will be refunded as follows:
   • Before classes begin: 100 percent
   • During first week of classes: 90 percent
   • During second week of classes: 80 percent
   • During third week of classes: 75 percent
   • During fourth week of classes: 70 percent
   • During fifth week of classes: 65 percent
   • During sixth week of classes: 60 percent
   • During seventh week of classes: 55 percent
   • During eight week of classes: 50 percent
   • During ninth week of classes: 40 percent
   • After ninth week of classes: 0 percent
2. An administrative fee equal to the lesser of $100 or 5 percent of school charges will be assessed to the student’s account.
3. Fees are nonrefundable, unless the withdrawal is effective prior to the start of classes.
4. Additionally, a $400-$600 room cancellation fee will be assessed to the student’s account.
5. Half of the academic year allowance for books and supplies is considered to be half spent at the start of the semester.
6. Financial aid received is refunded to granting agencies based on the date of withdrawal, subject to funding source regulations and College policy.
7. No refund will be made to students suspended, dismissed, or expelled during the course of the semester. This also includes students who leave prior to the completion of a judicial hearing. 

Non-payment Policy

For currently enrolled students, non-enrolled students, students who have been separated, dismissed, suspended, expelled, disciplined, withdrawn, leave prior to the completion of a pending judicial hearing, or on a leave of absence, the College will withhold all official transcripts. The College also will deny access to registration for courses, selection of a residence hall room, and the awarding of diplomas or certificates to any student whose account is not paid in full when due. A late charge of $50 will be assessed for each month that a payment is past due. The student and/or the party who is responsible for the payment of the student account shall be jointly liable to the College for all costs of collection and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred. The student is required to make full payment of all accounts prior to the deadline for commencement (date established by the registrar). Non-enrolled students, with a balance on their account, will be placed in collection.

When a student registers for classes, he/she is responsible for the tuition charges and other College costs incurred. Non-attendance in classes does not constitute withdrawing or dropping a class. Any changes to a student’s course schedule require the approval of an academic advisor and an official registration action.

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Federal Student Aid When a Student Withdraws

The law specifies how Springfield College must determine the amount of Federal Student Aid (FSA) assistance a student earns they withdraw from school. The FSA programs that are covered by this law are:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
• Federal Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
• Federal PLUS loans (Graduate and parent)
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Some state grant aid (LEAP, SLEAP)

When a student withdraws during a term, the amount of Federal Student Aid program assistance they have earned up to that point is determined by a specific formula. If a student received (or Springfield College or parent received on the student’s behalf) less assistance than the amount that the student earned, the student may be able to receive those additional funds. If the student received more assistance than the student earned, the excess funds must be returned by Springfield College and/or by the student. The amount of assistance that the student has earned is determined on a pro rata basis and based on federal eligibility.

For more information regarding Federal Financial Aid information, please visit our Office of Financial Aid Web page.

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