2.2.3.4 Institutional Tuition and Fees Refund Policy

2.2.3.4 Institutional Tuition and Fees Refund Policy

Policy Statement

Student tuition and fee charges are subject to a pro-rated reduction when a withdrawal occurs during a defined refund/reduction period.

Policy Manager and Responsible Department or Office

Treasurer, Treasurer’s Office

Departments/Offices Affected by the Policy

The Treasurer’s Office, Office of Financial Assistance and Veterans Affairs, Cougar Card Services, Residence Life.

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to define the pro-rata refund periods and the appropriate percentages for the reduction of tuition and fees based on a student’s withdrawal date.

Institutional Tuition and Fees Refund Policy

The College of Charleston authorizes reductions in tuition and fess assessed to student accounts for students who withdraw from the College or withdraw from classes. This refund policy applies to all courses subject to tuition charges, whether Undergraduate or Graduate level, and are applied uniformly regardless of the mode of delivery of the course(s) and regardless of the source of payment. The reduction in the assessed tuition and fees may result in an actual refund of payment/s received or a reduction in the balance due at the time of the withdrawal.

Students who receive financial aid and subsequently withdraw from the College or reduce their course load during a refund period (see below) will be subject to the pro-ration of the assessed tuition and fees and may also have a reduction in the financial aid applied to their account. This may result in an increased balance due rather than a refund or reduction in the balance.

Tuition and fess that are subject to this policy are:

Tuition (in state rate)
Out of State Differential
Part Time Fees
Technology Fees
Library Fees (per credit-based fees only)

Course fees, such as science and language labs, physical education fees, music, arts classes, etc. are non-refundable after the end of the drop/add period.

Pro-rated reductions of tuition and fees are as follows:

Period 1: Through the end of drop/add: 100%
Period 2: Through the end of the first week after drop/add: 85%
Period 3: Through the second and third weeks after drop/add: 50%
Period 4: Through the fourth through fifth week after drop/add: 25%
Period 5: Sixth week following drop/add thorough the end of the semester: 0%

Fall and Spring refund dates and schedule can be found at https://charleston.edu/treasurer/refunds/index.php.

Summer refund dates and schedule can be found at https://charleston.edu/treasurer/refunds/index.php.

The academic calendar for each semester can be found at https://charleston.edu/registrar/calendar/index.php.

Refunds are based on the date of the official withdrawal. Students who have outstanding balances at the time of withdrawal, including those on payment plans, must settle their accounts with the Treasurer’s Office.

Refunds to students will not be authorized beyond the periods stated above. Students who have withdrawn from all of their classes due to circumstances beyond their control and seek a grater pro-rated refund than that provided in this policy must completed the Appeal for Refund (https://charleston.edu/treasurer/refunds/index.php) prior to the end of the affected semester. The form and supporting documentation must be submitted timely in order to have the appeal considered.

NOTE: This refund policy is subject to change.

Related Policies, Documents or Forms

This refund policy is in compliance with the disclosure requirements related to the Higher Education Act (HEA) and Federal Student Aid handbook found at
https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/fsa-handbook/2020-2021/appendices/appx-f-institutional-reporting-and-disclosure-requirements. For additional disclosure information please review the financial aid terms and conditions document via https://charleston.edu/cost-aid/index.php.

Revision Log

Issue Date: 11/1/2021

Last Review Date: 11/1/2021

Next Review Date: 11/1/2023

Web Publication Date: 1/9/2026