Refunds

There are multiple types and reasons to receive a refund, which are detailed on this page. The general time frame for all refund types is four (4) to six (6) weeks. The process for most types of refunds begins after the term Census date (refer to Academic Calendar). Refunds may be posted to your student account to pay any current or outstanding university charges prior to being refunded. Refunds are processed the same way in which the payment was received. For purposes of the refund policy, mandatory fees are defined as those system-wide fees and campus fees that are required to be paid in order to enroll in state-supported academic programs at the California State University.

Refunds for Withdrawal

Students who find it necessary to cancel their registration or to withdraw from all classes are required to follow the Official Withdrawal procedures with the Office of the Registrar. Failure to follow formal procedures may result in an obligation to pay fees as well as the assignment of failing grades in all courses.

Should a student withdraw from SDSU, they may be entitled to either a full refund or a prorated refund depending on the withdrawal date. All refunds for withdrawal are processed four (4) to six (6) weeks from the withdrawal date and are subject to a $21 refund administrative fee. Failure to complete the withdrawal process will result in refunds being processed after the University Census date.

Full Refund for Withdrawal

Students who completely withdraw from the University before the first day of the term are entitled to a full refund of Basic Tuition & Fees, Non-Resident Tuition, and Professional Program Fees. However, a refund administrative fee of $21 will be withheld.

Prorated Refund for Withdrawal

Students who withdraw from the University between the first day of the term and the 60% point of the term are entitled to a prorated refund of applicable Basic Tuition & Fees, Non-Resident Tuition, and Professional Program Fees. However, a refund administrative fee of $21 will be withheld. A student withdrawing from the University after the 60% point of the term shall not be entitled to any refund of tuition or mandatory fees.

Prorated Refund Schedules are available below:

Withdrawals & Title IV Financial Aid

For students who receive Title IV Financial Aid the University is required to determine if a refund should be made to the student, or if unearned aid must be returned to the federal accounts.

Title IV funds will be returned to the programs in the order listed below as required by law. Funds that have been directly disbursed to the student may be required to be repaid if determined to be unearned. In some cases where eligibility for aid exceeds the amount disbursed, the regulations allow for a post-withdrawal disbursement and the University will notify you of the process required to receive the funds.

Title IV Aid consists of:

Unsubsidized William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan
Subsidized William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan
Federal Perkins Loan
William D. Ford Federal Direct PLUS Loan
Federal Pell Grant
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
National Smart Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Federal Teach Grant

State & Institutional Financial Aid:

State and institutional aid is not subject to the federal formula that determines the return of Title IV aid. Even though the Return to Title IV policy only affects Title IV aid, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will apply the same percentage of earned aid to any non-title IV aid. In instances where state or institutional aid is used to pay registration fees that are cancelled as the result of a withdrawal, Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) and State University Grant (SUG) are returned to the source account. If partial or full fees are owed to the University, Cal Grant, MCS and SUG may be retained to cover those costs.

Schedule Adjustment Refunds

Students who drop units before the Add/Drop deadline causing their enrollment status to change from full-time (more than 6 units) to part-time (6 or fewer units) shall receive a refund of Basic Tuition & Fees for the difference.

Additionally, students who drop units before the Add/Drop deadline will receive a refund of applicable Non-Resident Tuition and Professional Program Fees.

A refund administrative fee of $21 will be withheld from all Schedule Adjustment Refunds. Schedule Adjustment Refunds are processed after the University Census date (refer to Academic Calendar). Students do not need to file a refund application.

Special Circumstance Refunds

Students will receive a full refund (with no fee withheld) of Tuition and mandatory fees under the following circumstances:

The Tuition and Fees were assessed or collected in error
The course for which Tuition and Fees were assessed or collected was canceled by the University
The University makes a delayed decision that the student was not eligible to enroll in the term for which Tuition and Fees were assessed or collected, and the decision was not due to incomplete or inaccurate information provided by the student
The student was activated for compulsory military service

Refund Methods

Refunds are processed in the same form in which a payment was made:

Checks, money orders, certified funds, cash, and debit payments will receive a refund in the form of a check from SDSU (sent to the address on file with the Registrar)
Electronic check (ACH) payments will receive a refund back to the account used for payment
Credit card payments will receive a refund back to the credit card used for payment
Third party (employer, government, sponsor, etc.) payments will be refunded back to the third party per sections 41802 of Title 5 in the CA Code of Regulations and the Return to Title IV calculations

Parking Permit Refunds

Refund applications for parking are processed by the Parking & Transportation Office. Students who return their parking permit to Parking & Transportation may be eligible for a refund rounded down to the nearest dollar. No refund is made for amounts of less than $5. For more information please refer to the Permits page.

Fees Not Eligible for Refund

Intent to Enroll
Housing Deposit
Late Registration Fee
SDSUcard
Installment Plan Service Charge
Credit Card Service Fees
First Year Experience Fee

Appeals Process: Petition for Special Consideration

Students who are not entitled to a refund as described above may petition the University for a refund demonstrating exceptional circumstances. The Chief Financial Officer or designee may authorize the appeal for a refund if they determine that the Tuition and Fees were not earned by the University.

Students must file the Petition for Special Consideration with Student Account Services prior to the twelfth week of classes. Any supporting documentation to support the appeal must be submitted with the appeal form.

Information on this Web site is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to ensure that information is current and accurate. The statements found on this Web site are for informational purposes only.