Refunds

General Information

The date used in determining the refund of fees shall be the date the student completes the transaction online or submits an official withdrawal request to the Office of the Registrar or the postmark date of withdrawal requests submitted by mail. If a student drops or withdraws from a full semester length class prior to the ninth week, the refund shall be of follows:

• On or before the fifth day of the semester: 100% of Tuition
• Days 6 through 10 of the semester: 75% of Tuition
• Days 11 through 20 of the semester: 50% of Tuition
• Days 21 through 40 of the semester: 25% of Tuition
• After the 40th day of the semester: No refund

Refunds for all other class lengths including the summer session are proportionate to the length of the above refund periods.

For comprehensive information including refunds of Student Services Fees; Supplemental Course, Section, and Program Fees; and refunds for non-attendance, please refer to pages 9 through 12 of the 2011-2012 fee schedule

Fall 2011 Fee Refund Schedule

Spring 2012 Fee Refund Schedule

Summer 2012 Fee Refund Schedule

Fall 2012 Fee Refund Schedule

Intersession, Short Courses and Workshops Refund Schedule

The refund for intersession, short courses and workshops is 100% of Required Student Fees if the class is dropped before the first day of class. Supplemental fees will be refunded at 100% with the exception of fees that have already been expended on behalf of the student. After the first class meeting, refunds for intersession, short courses and workshops are made on the basis of the number of class meeting days (refer to table below.) The date used in determining the refund of fees shall be the date the student completes the transaction online or submits an official withdrawal request to the Office of the Registrar or the postmark date of withdrawal requests submitted by mail.

Exceptions to the Refund Schedule

The University policy regarding exceptions to the Withdrawal and Change of Schedule Refund Policy is published on page 12 of the 2011-2012 fee schedule. 

Procedures

• The Refund Exception Committee, consisting of representatives from MSU faculty and staff, is charged with considering and recommending exceptions to the Office of the Registrar for approval. The Committee will meet monthly to review appeals.
• Any change in assessment can be adjusted or prorated only to a rate already established in the published university tuition and required fees schedule. Approved appeals are prorated based on the documented date of the extenuating circumstance and the refund percentage in place during the documented time.
• Only tuition related to a student’s assessment for registration in credit hours is covered by these guidelines. Other required fees such as those for residence halls, the bookstore, supplemental section or course fees, etc. need to be directed to departments responsible for assessment of those required fees.
• Exceptions to the fee refund policy are generally granted only for documented exceptional circumstances that were beyond the control of the student (e.g. medical emergency or death in the immediate family) or when a documented University error has occurred. Exceptions to the established university policy are not made lightly and will be considered only for unique and difficult circumstances experienced by the student.
• A successful grade appeal through the Scholastic Standards and Revision of Records Committee is not a guarantee or indicator that an exception to the fee refund policy will be approved.
• Appeals based on dissatisfaction with a course or instructor are not granted solely based on student appeal. Students are advised to first direct their concerns to the faculty member's Department Head.
• Students will receive a written response as to the results of their appeal.   

Student Appeal Guidelines

• Class(es) must have been dropped/withdrawn from in order to be considered for a refund.  If a grade was received (including a failing grade or incomplete grade) a refund appeal cannot be considered.

• Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Office of Registrar, 320 Carrington Hall, and must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. A Refund Exception Appeal Form is available in PDF format. Appeals must meet one or more of the following criteria to be considered and approved:

  • Written documentation of an illness, accident, injury or situation that could not be influenced, planned for, or prevented by the student or the institution and which subsequently caused a change in the student’s enrollment, thus changing the assessment. Acceptable documentation regarding personal illness may include, but not limited to: letter from physician; copy of billing statements, copy of discharge statement or verification of hospital stay. Accepted documentation for other situations may include, but not limited to: copy of obituary or funeral program, letter of support from a family member. Documentation must confirm the time-frame for which the appeal has been submitted.

  • Written documentation of substantiated circumstances involving deadlines where a student has in good faith relied on information provided by a named University official, or the official’s interpretation of the text of a University document or publication, and was consequently misled or mistaken about its terms. Acceptable documentation may include, but not limited to: letter/email of explanation or recommendation from department head of course, class instructor, academic advisor, or staff member; reference to Advising Notes posted on the My Missouri State System; reference to specific web page or copy of University document or publication. Documentation must confirm the time-frame for which the appeal has been submitted.

  • In individual cases and when it is in the best interest of the student and the institution, the Refund Exception Committee may grant an exception that is not deemed to be served appropriately by the exception criteria stated elsewhere in this document.

Deadlines for Appeals

• Appeals for a fall semester must be received on or before June 30 of the following year.
• Appeals for a spring semester must be received on or before November 30 of the same year.
• Appeals for a summer session must be received on or before February 28 of the following year.