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Refunds
When a student’s account reflects excess financial aid (e.g. federal loans, scholarships, etc.) or payments than necessary to cover tuition and fees, the student may be eligible for a refund. Students can be issued refunds for a number of reasons including dropped classes and fee changes. For more details, please review our tuition refund policy.
Refunds are reviewed after the end of the official add/drop period each semester. Upon review, the funds will then be disbursed using the following methods:
| Payments made by: | Refund Method: |
| Check/Money Order | Direct deposit or a check will be mailed to the address in CUNYfirst** |
| EFT Online | Direct deposit or a check will be mailed to the address in CUNYfirst |
| Credit/Debit Card | A credit will be refunded to the original payment source |
**If you are also receiving a financial aid refund and you choose to receive your refund via direct deposit, this refund will be distributed using the same method.
Dropping courses
If you have registered for courses and change your mind about attending, please be sure to drop all of your classes. Do not assume the school will run a cancellation process absolving you of any charges. You must drop your classes prior to the first official day of the semester (this may not be the first day that your class meets) to avoid tuition and fee charges. Any student that does not officially drop their classes prior to the start of the term will be charged tuition and fees based upon the University’s academic calendar and policy. For instructions on how to drop a course, please click here to view an instruction sheet.
Refunds and obligations schedules
Academic Year 2020-2021
| Summer 2020 – Tuition Refund & Obligation Schedule | Refund (if paid) | Obligation (if not paid) |
| Drop course(s) prior to June 1, 2020 | 100% | -0- |
| Drop course(s) on June 1 – June 4 | 50% | 50% |
| Drop course(s) June 5 – June 7 | 25% | 75% |
| 100% Liability Withdraw on June 8th and thereafter | None | 100% |
| Fall 2020 – Tuition Refund & Obligation Schedule | Refund (if paid) | Obligation (if not paid) |
| Drop course(s) prior to August 26, 2020 | 100% | -0- |
| Drop course(s) August 26 – September 1 | 75% | 25% |
| Drop course(s) September 2 – September 8 | 50% | 50% |
| Drop course(s) September 9 – September 15 | 25% | 75% |
| 100% Liability Withdraw on September 16 and thereafter | None | 100% |
| Winter 2021 – Tuition Refund & Obligation Schedule | Refund (if paid) | Obligation (if not paid) |
| Drop course(s) prior to January 4, 2021 | 100% | -0- |
| Drop course(s) January 4 | 50% | 50% |
| Drop course(s) January 5 – January 6 | 25% | 75% |
| 100% Liability Withdraw on January 7 and thereafter | None | 100% |
| Spring 2021 – Tuition Refund & Obligation Schedule | Refund (if paid) | Obligation (if not paid) |
| Drop course(s) prior to January 29, 2021 | 100% | -0- |
| Drop course(s) January 29 – February 4 | 75% | 25% |
| Drop course(s) February 5 – February 11 | 50% | 50% |
| Drop course(s) February 12 – February 18 | 25% | 75% |
| 100% Liability Withdraw on February 19 and thereafter | None | 100% |
Disbursements
The Office of the University Controller is responsible for the disbursement of all financial aid and refund checks. Please view these FAQs to learn more about the process.
Students may receive their refunds in one of the following ways:
Direct Deposit: The funds will be deposited into the student’s bank account. This is the fastest, safest and most efficient way to receive your funds!
To select this option, please login to CUNYfirst and follow this quick reference guide to enroll in Direct Deposit. Additionally, if your bank account has changed, please follow the same steps to update the account information.
Check: A check will be mailed to the address on file in CUNYfirst. If you have recently moved or changed your contact information, be sure to update your information in CUNYfirst. If you do not receive your check in the mail within 10 days of the mailing date or your check has been lost or stolen, contact the Bursar’s Office immediately. A “stop payment” will be placed on the check by CUNY’s Office of the University Controller. It may take up to four (4) weeks to receive a replacement check.
If you do not receive your refund check:
- Contact the Bursar’s Office so we can research about your disbursement. You may email us at bursar@sph.cuny.edu
- Come to the Bursar’s Office or mail us a stop payment request form (processed 3 or more weeks after the check is issued). Once the stop payment request is submitted, checks are generally re-issued within 3-4 weeks.