Refund Policy

Tuition Refunds

A law student choosing to withdraw from a class or school is subject to the following Institutional Tuition Refund Policy:

Note: The Institutional Refund Policy uses a different schedule than the applicable schedule for Title IV Funds, and may result in a balance being owed to the University. If a balance does occur, charges should be resolved through the Business Office.

If you withdraw completely from the term and if you are a financial aid recipient, it is recommended that any excess funds (exclusive of scholarships) remaining on your account be returned to the federal or private lender to reduce any loan debt. Institutional funds are not refundable.

Student Account Refunds/Direct Deposit

If the amount of financial aid you receive exceeds your account charges, you may be entitled to a refund of the difference.

• Refunds are issued no earlier than the Thursday of the first full week of classes, whether by check OR direct deposit.
• Direct deposit of student account refunds is encouraged for your convenience, but not required. Sign up at SUOnline.
• Accounts are verified immediately, so the next refund you are due after you set up your account will be directly deposited to your bank.

Financial Aid Refund Policy

RETURN OF TITLE IV FUNDS POLICY

Return of Financial Aid Funds Policy for Withdrawals

According to federal law, the financial aid office must recalculate federal Title IV financial aid (Direct Stafford, Perkins, and/or Grad PLUS loans) eligibility for students who withdraw from all classes, drop out, are dismissed, or take a leave of absence prior to completing at least 60% of a semester. Title IV aid and all other aid is viewed as 100% earned after that point in time.

• If you enroll in an intersession course and withdraw, Return of Title IV Funds policy applies, unless you reconfirm intent to enroll in the following standard term.
• Recalculation is based on the percent of earned aid using the following formula:
• Percent earned = Number of calendar days completed up to and including the withdrawal date / total calendar days in the semester (not including any scheduled breaks that are at least five days long).
• Federal financial aid is returned to the federal government (reducing student loan debt) based on the percent of unearned aid using the following formula: Aid to be returned = (100% - percent earned) x the amount of aid disbursed toward institutional charges.

Federal aid is returned in the order mandated by the U.S. Department of Education. No program can receive a refund if the student did not receive aid from that program. The order is as follows based on aid offered at Seattle University School of Law:

1. Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
2. Perkins Loan
3. Direct Grad PLUS
4. Other Title IV Assistance

• When aid is returned, if the student owes a debit balance to Seattle University School of Law, the student should contact the Law School Business Office to make arrangements to pay the balance.
• The Institutional Refund Policy (see below) has a different schedule than the Federal Return of Funds and may result in a balance owing to the law school.
• Return of funds required by the student for unearned aid are returned (repaid) in accordance to the terms of the loan promissory note.
• Withdrawal date is defined as the actual date the student began the institution’s withdrawal process, the student’s last date of recorded attendance, or the midpoint of the semester for a student who leaves without notifying the institution.
• A student withdrawing from the institution must follow procedures as set forth in the Student Handbook and the Academic Standards Code.

For a student who received financial aid, the following are necessary steps in the process of withdrawing:

• Student completes a Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form found at the Deans’ Offices.
• Student consults with the Associate Dean of Internal Affairs.
• Associate Dean completes the form and directs student to the Office of Financial Aid.
• Student is given an exit interview and is informed as to the consequences of withdrawing.
• Student is directed to the Business Office to finalize account.
• Office of Financial Aid calculates the amount of refund due according to federal refund policy (see above).
• Refunds, if applicable, are made in the order required (see above) for the appropriate amount within forty-five (45) days.

For further details regarding the withdrawal process, please see the Student Handbook, the Academic Standards Code, or the Office of Financial Aid.