Southern New Hampshire University: Student Refund Policy Explained

Students at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) are eligible for a refund under certain circumstances. The university offers refunds to students who withdraw from courses or the university itself, with the amount depending on when the withdrawal takes place. For instance, if a student withdraws within the first week of the term, they are eligible for a 100% refund of tuition and fees. This refund percentage drops to 75% during the second week, 50% in the third week, and there is no refund if the student withdraws after the third week. The refund process typically begins 14 days after the start of classes, with the Business Office processing refunds once Financial Aid has completed its review. Students with direct deposit can expect to receive their refund within 3-5 business days, while those receiving a mailed check may wait up to 10-14 business days. It's important to note that the refund schedule may not apply in certain situations, such as when a student switches from full-time to part-time status within the same term. SNHU also offers various financial aid options, including federal and private student loans, to help students fund their education.

Withdrawal and refund policies for students discontinuing their enrollment

Students who wish to withdraw from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) can do so by completing the Withdrawal from SNHU form and submitting it to their academic advisor. International students should work with the International Student Services department. The official withdrawal date is the date the form is submitted, and students are withdrawn from all courses unless they indicate their intention to complete the current semester. Students under 18 years of age must obtain written parental/guardian consent. If a student cannot access the form, they must notify their academic advisor to initiate the withdrawal process.

The withdrawal date determines any tuition refund per the University's refund policy. Students are encouraged to discuss the potential impact on their GPA, military benefits, and financial aid with their academic advisor and Student Financial Services. Students can withdraw at any time but requests within the last week of the term will be processed after term end and final grades are awarded.

Course Withdrawal Policy

Graduate and undergraduate students can drop courses without academic penalty before the start of the term and through the first week. After the first week, students should consult their Academic Advisor about potential financial and academic implications. Withdrawals are not permitted in the last week of the term.

The withdrawal date is the date the completed form is received for processing. Any withdrawal before the last week of the term will result in a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Withdrawn courses will appear as credits attempted but not earned, which may impact financial aid, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and Scholastic Standing.

Direct Assessment Competency-Based Student Withdrawal

Students who initiate withdrawal within the first 14 days of the term are dropped from all competencies with no charge, regardless of participation. Any mastered competencies during this time are removed from the student's record. A Return to Title IV federal financial aid funds (R2T4) calculation may be performed.

After the first week, enrolled military personnel may withdraw from a class if their duties prevent them from completing coursework or participating. A full tuition refund is possible for withdrawals due to injury or illness directly related to military service, with appropriate documentation.

In exceptional circumstances, such as a serious illness with supporting documentation, a student may be allowed to withdraw from a term with a full tuition refund. The administration reserves the right to make the final determination. Any withdrawal after the second week of the term will not receive a refund.

Emergency Withdrawal

SNHU's Emergency Withdrawal policy supports students facing serious extenuating personal circumstances. An Emergency Withdrawal will be noted as a "W" on the transcript and may be granted for unexpected serious medical issues or other significant personal circumstances that prevent a student from continuing their classes. While the Withdrawal and Refunds policy applies, the University may allow financial consideration for Emergency Withdrawals.

The circumstance must be serious, unforeseen, and documented, and it must not be addressable through reasonable academic arrangements. Examples include unexpected extended hospitalization, death of an immediate family member, severe illness of a dependent, or a natural disaster.

All Emergency Withdrawal requests must be received by the Sunday before the last week of the term. Kenzie Academy students may use the Kenzie Academy Withdrawal Form. Students unable to meet the deadlines or provide new documentation can file a dispute within 90 days after the term ends.

An Emergency Withdrawal may impact a student's eligibility for financial aid and delay their graduation date. Students are encouraged to discuss potential implications with their Academic Advisor and Student Financial Services before submitting a request. Approval of an Emergency Withdrawal and financial consideration are not guaranteed.

Withdrawal and Refunds

Course/Institutional Withdrawal

Undergraduate students can drop a course during the first week of a term without it appearing on their academic transcript. Withdrawals are permitted from the second week until the last week of the term and will result in a "W" grade. Withdrawals are not allowed in the last week of class.

Submission of Withdrawals

Withdrawal requests must be submitted via the student's academic advisor using the approved form. The date of withdrawal is the date the completed form is received. Paper forms and emails are not accepted.

Online and On-Campus Students

#### Course/Institutional Withdrawals

• During Week 1 (Drop period): No tuition charged or 100% refund if full payment is made.
• During Week 2: 50% tuition charged or 50% refund if full payment is made.
• After Week 2: 100% tuition charged or no refund if full payment is made.

Fees are non-refundable.*

Direct Assessment Competency-Based Education Students

Students have 14 days from the start of the term to cancel enrollment and receive a full refund. Withdrawal after this period incurs the full tuition amount. If a student withdraws or is dismissed, the University and/or student may need to return a portion of any Federal Title IV financial aid.

Room and Board Refunds

Room and board charges are refunded based on calendar days:

• 100% refund before the first day of the term (includes fees).
• 90% refund from day 1 to day 10 of the term.
• 50% refund from day 11 to day 25 of the term.
• 25% refund from day 26 to day 52 of the term.
• No refund after day 52 of the term.

The refund calculation is based on calendar days.*

MA Counseling Residency Refund Policy

Students who withdraw from the residency course before it begins will receive a full refund of the residency fee, excluding travel or other costs. Students who fail to attend without prior withdrawal will incur the residency fee twice.

Mountainview Low-Residency MFA (Campus) Residency Fee

Students can withdraw from the residency up to four weeks before the start and receive a full refund of the residency fee, excluding travel or other costs. Students who fail to attend without withdrawing at least four weeks in advance will incur the residency fee.

Nursing Immersion Refund Policy

Students who withdraw from the immersion before the start of the term will receive a full refund of the immersion fee, excluding travel or other costs. Students who fail to attend without prior withdrawal or are unsuccessful will incur the immersion fee and will need to pay it again.

Return of Title IV Funds

The Return of Title IV Funds requirements apply to federal grant or loan recipients who officially or unofficially withdraw from SNHU before completing the payment period.

Students' eligibility for refunds after withdrawing from a course

The refund policy at SNHU is based on the date of withdrawal from a course. Students who withdraw within the first week of the term are eligible for a 100% refund of tuition and fees. If the withdrawal occurs during the second week, the refund amount drops to 75%. This further decreases to 50% if the student withdraws during the third week, and there is no refund if the withdrawal happens after the third week. It is important to note that non-refundable charges are excluded from the refund.

Additionally, students who withdraw from a course after completing 60% of the term will be ineligible for a refund. Refunds may also not apply when a student switches from full-time to part-time status within the same term.

The refund process at SNHU usually begins 14 days after the start of classes. Once the Financial Aid office completes the review process for all students, the Business Office starts processing the refunds. The time to receive a refund depends on the selected refund method. Direct deposits should arrive within 3-5 business days, while refunds sent by check through the mail may take approximately 10-14 business days.

The timeline for receiving refunds from Southern New Hampshire University

Initiating the Refund Process:

• The refund process at SNHU typically begins 14 days after the start of classes for a term.
• During this time, the Financial Aid office completes the review process for all students.
• Once the review is finished, the Business Office starts processing the refunds.

Timing of Refund Receipt:

• If a student has set up direct deposit, they can expect to receive their refund within 3 to 5 business days after the processing starts.
• For those receiving refunds by check through the mail, it may take approximately 10 to 14 business days.
• It's important to note that delivery timelines can vary depending on various factors.

Number of Refunds per Semester:

• The number of refunds a student can receive per semester depends on factors such as the amount of financial aid awarded, eligibility, disbursement timing, and enrollment status.
• Typically, if a credit balance is created from financial aid funds, SNHU issues refunds within 14 days of the credit balance occurrence.
• These refund amounts can vary significantly, so students are advised to connect with SNHU's Student Financial Services for detailed information about their specific situation.

Course Withdrawal Refunds:

• For course withdrawals, undergraduate students have the flexibility to drop a course during the first week of a term without any charges or penalties, and the dropped course will not appear on their academic transcript.
• If a student withdraws from a course during the second week, they are eligible for a 50% refund of tuition and fees.
• Withdrawing during the third week results in a 25% refund.
• It's important to highlight that non-refundable charges are excluded from these refunds.
• After the third week of the term, no refunds are provided for course withdrawals.

Institutional Withdrawal Refunds:

• For institutional withdrawals, SNHU offers a 100% refund of tuition and fees if the withdrawal occurs during the first week (drop period) of the term.
• During the second week, the refund amount is 50% of the tuition and fees.
• After the second week, there is no refund provided for institutional withdrawals.

Direct Assessment Competency-Based Education Students:

• Students in this category have 14 days from the start of the term to cancel their enrollment and receive a full refund of any tuition paid.
• If a student withdraws after the 14-day period, they will be responsible for the full tuition amount.

Room and Board Refunds:

• Room and board charges are canceled or reduced based on calendar days, following a specific refund schedule.
• A 100% refund is provided before the first day of the term, including fees.
• From day 1 to day 10 of the term, a 90% refund is applicable.
• During days 11 to 25, a 50% refund is offered.
• A 25% refund is applicable from days 26 to 52 of the term.
• After day 52, no refund is provided for room and board charges.

Specific Program Refunds:

• SNHU offers specific refund policies for certain programs, such as the MA Counseling Residency, Mountainview Low-Residency MFA, Nursing Immersion, and Study Abroad programs.
• These policies outline the timelines and conditions under which students can receive refunds for these unique programs.

Federal Title IV Financial Aid:

• For students receiving Federal Title IV Financial Aid, withdrawal before completing 60% of the term may result in the cancellation of a portion of the aid.
• If the funds have already been disbursed, they would need to be returned to the US Department of Education.
• The percentage of "earned" aid is calculated based on the student's attendance duration using the Federal Return to Title IV funds formula.

In summary, the refund timeline at Southern New Hampshire University depends on various factors, including the type of refund, payment method, and individual circumstances. Students can expect to receive refunds within a few weeks to a month, depending on the specific circumstances and the policies outlined by SNHU.

The impact of withdrawing on students' financial aid and military benefits

Students at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) who withdraw from the university or a course may be eligible for a refund on tuition and other institutional charges. The amount of the refund depends on the timing of the withdrawal.

Withdrawing from a course or the university can have implications for a student's financial aid and military benefits. Students are encouraged to talk to their academic advisor and Student Financial Services about the potential impact on their GPA, military benefits, and financial aid, especially if they are nearing the end of their semester/term.

Impact on Financial Aid

If a student withdraws before completing 60% of an academic term, they may need to return a portion of their federal financial aid. The percentage of federal financial aid "earned" is based on the amount of time a student attends in that term and is calculated using the Federal Return to Title IV funds formula. If a student has taken a credit refund from financial aid funds and then withdraws, these funds may need to be paid back to federal aid sources or SNHU, depending on the circumstances.

Withdrawing from a course will likely impact eligibility for financial aid for the current term as well as future terms. Students who do not maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress will experience an impact on their financial aid eligibility.

Impact on Military Benefits

If a student withdraws or stops attending, they may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Tuition Assistance (TA) funds originally awarded. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based on when a student stops attending. SNHU is responsible for returning any unearned TA funds to the military branch that issued the assistance. The student is responsible for the immediate payment of the balance on the account.

In instances when a service member stops attending due to a military service obligation during the term, SNHU will remove the student from the coursework and will scholarship the amount owed to SNHU due to a return of unearned TA funds so no debt is incurred by the student. The service member will be required to provide documentation in the form of current military orders, a signed letter from the command, or a similar form of documentation.

The process for international students to withdraw from the university

To withdraw from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), international students must follow a specific process. Here is a step-by-step guide detailing the process for international students to withdraw from the university:

• Communicate with the Academic Advisor: International students should start the withdrawal process by communicating with their academic advisor. It is essential to seek guidance and understand the potential implications of withdrawing from the university.
• Work with the International Student Services Department: International students should also collaborate closely with the International Student Services department throughout the withdrawal process. They can provide specific support and guidance tailored to international students' needs.
• Complete the Withdrawal Form: To officially withdraw from SNHU, students must complete the "Withdrawal from SNHU" form. This form can be obtained from the academic advisor or the International Student Services department. The form allows students to indicate whether they intend to complete the current semester/term.
• Obtain Parental/Guardian Consent (if applicable): If the student is under 18 years of age, written consent from a parent or guardian is required to initiate the withdrawal process.
• Submit the Completed Form: Students should submit the completed withdrawal form to their academic advisor or the International Student Services department. The date of submission of the form will be considered the official withdrawal date, unless the student chooses to complete the current term.
• Understand the Financial Implications: Withdrawing from the university may have financial consequences. Students are encouraged to discuss these implications with their academic advisor and Student Financial Services before finalising the withdrawal.
• Process Finalisation: Once the withdrawal form is submitted, the university will process the student's withdrawal. If the student indicated that they plan to complete the current term, the withdrawal will be processed after final grades have been entered.

It is important to note that ceasing to attend classes does not constitute an official withdrawal. Students must follow the formal withdrawal process to ensure they are officially withdrawn from the university and all associated courses. Additionally, students who wish to withdraw from a specific course, rather than the entire university, may do so by following the course withdrawal policy outlined by SNHU.

Frequently asked questions