Tuition Refund Schedule
Financial Policies for Course Adjustments and Withdrawals
At The University of Ontological Science, we understand that circumstances may necessitate changes to your academic plans after enrollment. Our tuition refund schedule is designed to provide clear guidelines regarding financial adjustments when students withdraw from courses or take leaves of absence. TUOS is committed to transparent financial policies that balance institutional responsibilities with student needs during academic transitions.
General Refund Policy Principles
- Refund eligibility is determined by the date of official withdrawal or course drop, not by the date of last attendance
- All withdrawals and course drops must be officially processed through the Registrar’s Office to be eligible for refunds
- Refund percentages apply to tuition and the comprehensive fee only; other fees may be non-refundable as noted below
- Different refund schedules apply depending on the academic term (Fall/Spring, Summer, Winter) and program type
- Financial aid recipients should consult with the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing, as refunds may affect aid eligibility
Fall and Spring Semester Refund Schedule
| Withdrawal/Drop Date | Tuition Refund | Room Refund | Board Refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before first day of classes | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| First week of classes | 90% | 90% | Prorated by week |
| Second week of classes | 80% | 80% | Prorated by week |
| Third week of classes | 70% | 70% | Prorated by week |
| Fourth week of classes | 60% | 60% | Prorated by week |
| Fifth week of classes | 50% | 50% | Prorated by week |
| After fifth week | No refund | No refund | Prorated by week |
The academic calendar for each semester specifies the exact dates corresponding to each refund period.
Summer Session Refund Schedule
6-Week Summer Sessions
| Withdrawal/Drop Date | Tuition Refund |
|---|---|
| Before first class meeting | 100% |
| Within first 2 calendar days | 90% |
| Within first week | 70% |
| Within second week | 50% |
| After second week | No refund |
3-Week Intensive Summer Sessions
| Withdrawal/Drop Date | Tuition Refund |
|---|---|
| Before first class meeting | 100% |
| Within first calendar day | 90% |
| Within first 3 calendar days | 70% |
| Within first week | 50% |
| After first week | No refund |
Winter Session Refund Schedule
| Withdrawal/Drop Date | Tuition Refund |
|---|---|
| Before first class meeting | 100% |
| Within first calendar day | 90% |
| Within first 2 calendar days | 70% |
| Within first 3 calendar days | 50% |
| After third day | No refund |
Graduate and Professional Program Refund Schedules
Graduate programs with alternative formats or schedules (including evening, weekend, and accelerated programs) follow modified refund schedules:
8-Week Accelerated Format
| Withdrawal/Drop Date | Tuition Refund |
|---|---|
| Before first class meeting | 100% |
| Within first calendar week | 80% |
| Within second calendar week | 50% |
| After second week | No refund |
Online Graduate Programs
| Withdrawal/Drop Date | Tuition Refund |
|---|---|
| Before course access date | 100% |
| Within first 7 days of course access | 80% |
| Within 8-14 days of course access | 50% |
| After 14 days of course access | No refund |
Graduate students should refer to their program handbook for program-specific policies.
Special Circumstances and Exceptions
Medical Withdrawals
Students who withdraw from all courses due to documented medical reasons may be eligible for enhanced refunds. Medical withdrawal refunds are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and require:
- Documentation from a healthcare provider
- Approval from the Dean of Students Office
- Submission of the Medical Withdrawal Request Form
Military Service
Students called to active military duty receive:
- 100% tuition refund for the semester if called to service before the 12th week
- Option for incomplete grades with extended completion deadlines if called to service after the 12th week
- Documentation of military orders required
Extenuating Circumstances
In rare cases involving extraordinary circumstances beyond the student’s control, exceptions to the standard refund schedule may be considered:
- Submit the Refund Exception Request Form with supporting documentation
- Appeals reviewed by the Tuition Appeal Committee
- Decisions typically provided within 15 business days
Non-Refundable Fees
The following fees are non-refundable regardless of withdrawal timing:
- Application fee
- Enrollment deposit
- Course change fees
- Late registration fees
- Returned check fees
- Graduation application fee
- Transcript request fees
- Technology/lab/studio fees (after the first week of classes)
Refund Disbursement Process
Method of Refund
- Refunds are issued in the same form as the original payment when possible
- Students with direct deposit authorization receive electronic refunds (2-3 business days for processing)
- Check refunds (7-10 business days for processing) are mailed to the student’s permanent address
- Credit card refunds are processed back to the original card used for payment
- Parent PLUS loan refunds are issued to the parent borrower unless otherwise authorized
Refund Hierarchy
For students with financial aid, refunds follow this sequence:
- Federal aid programs (in order prescribed by federal regulations)
- State aid programs
- TUOS institutional aid
- Private/external scholarships
- Student/parent payments
Impact on Financial Aid
Withdrawing from courses may have significant implications for your financial aid:
- Federal Title IV Aid: Subject to Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculation, potentially requiring repayment of “unearned” aid
- Satisfactory Academic Progress: Withdrawals may affect future aid eligibility
- Scholarships and Grants: May be reduced or canceled based on enrollment status changes
- Loan Repayment: Withdrawing completely may trigger the start of your loan grace period
All financial aid recipients should consult with a Financial Aid Counselor before withdrawing from any courses.
Schedule a Financial Aid Consultation
Important Deadlines for the Current Academic Year
Fall Semester 2023
- Last day for 100% refund: August 28, 2023
- Last day for 90% refund: September 4, 2023
- Last day for 80% refund: September 11, 2023
- Last day for 70% refund: September 18, 2023
- Last day for 60% refund: September 25, 2023
- Last day for 50% refund: October 2, 2023
Spring Semester 2024
- Last day for 100% refund: January 22, 2024
- Last day for 90% refund: January 29, 2024
- Last day for 80% refund: February 5, 2024
- Last day for 70% refund: February 12, 2024
- Last day for 60% refund: February 19, 2024
- Last day for 50% refund: February 26, 2024
Summer Sessions 2024
See detailed academic calendar for session-specific dates
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I drop one course but remain enrolled in others, am I eligible for a partial tuition refund?
A: For full-time students, dropping a course without falling below full-time status (12 credits) typically does not result in a refund. Part-time students who pay per credit will receive refunds according to the schedule when reducing their course load.
Q: How do room and board refunds work if I withdraw mid-semester?
A: Room refunds follow the tuition refund percentage schedule. Board (meal plan) refunds are prorated on a weekly basis from the official withdrawal date, regardless of actual meal plan usage.
Q: If my financial aid covered my tuition, who receives the refund if I withdraw?
A: When financial aid has been applied to your account, refunds first go toward repaying the aid programs according to federal, state, and institutional guidelines. Any remaining balance would then be refunded to you.
Q: What if I need to withdraw after the refund period due to a serious emergency?
A: For withdrawals after the refund period, you may submit an appeal through the Tuition Appeal Committee if you experienced a serious emergency, documented medical issue, or other extenuating circumstance.
Q: How do refunds work for study abroad programs?
A: Study abroad programs follow program-specific refund policies, which are often more restrictive due to advance payments to partner institutions. These policies are provided during the application process.
Contact Information
Student Financial Services
Admin Building, Room 115
studentfinancial@tuos.edu
(555) 123-4560
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: Extended hours until 7:00 PM
Financial Aid Office
Admin Building, Room 120
financialaid@tuos.edu
(555) 123-4570
Registrar’s Office (for official withdrawals)
Academic Building, Room 203
registrar@tuos.edu
(555) 123-4567
Downloadable Resources
- Complete Tuition Refund Policy (PDF)
- Medical Withdrawal Request Form (PDF)
- Refund Exception Request Form (PDF)
- Financial Aid Adjustment Worksheet (PDF)
- Direct Deposit Authorization Form (PDF)
TUOS reserves the right to amend the refund policy at any time. Any changes will be posted with at least 30 days’ notice before taking effect. This refund schedule was last updated on August 1, 2023.
The University of Ontological Science is committed to transparent financial practices that support our academic mission while respecting the changing circumstances our students may face. We encourage all students to familiarize themselves with these policies and to seek guidance from appropriate offices when considering changes to their enrollment.