REFUNDS REFUNDS

Semester Fees are refundable for full-time and part-time students according to the following schedule:

Complete Withdrawal From the University

An administrative fee equal to five percent of the total fees charged for the semester or $100, whichever is less, will be withheld from the refund after the 100 percent refund period.

A special refund schedule for summer school is outlined in the Summer Schedule published in early spring.

Refunds are computed from the date of official withdrawal from the University. No refunds are made for full-time students dropping courses and not withdrawing from the University, unless by dropping courses a student's enrollment status drops below 10 hours. Fees are refundable for part-time students officially dropping courses without withdrawing from the University according to the following schedule:

Changes in Enrollment Status (below 10 hours)

100%    Within seven calendar days of the first day of classes

 50%    Within 14 calendar days of the first day of classes

Certain fees are non-refundable and are so noted. Housing and meal plan fees are generally non-refundable in accordance with the Housing and Residence Life Contract and the Dining Services Brochure. No refunds are allowed because of irregularity in attendance of classes. Refunds are held pending the settlement in full of all outstanding and current obligations payable to the University.

Students receiving financial assistance may be required to repay an appropriate amount of the assistance advanced for the semester of withdrawal.

Refund checks are held in the Cashier's Office for one week and then are forwarded to the student's permanent home address.

Circumstances may warrant the assessment of a reinstatement fee for the purpose of academic reinstatement.

Appeal Process — An appeal process exists for students or parents who believe that individual circumstances warrant exceptions from published policy. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the University's Withdrawal Appeals Committee. Address appeals to the Withdrawal Appeals Committee, Office of the Registrar, Francis Marion University, P. O. Box 100547, Florence, S. C. 29501-0547.

Financial Impact of Complete Withdrawal — The return of Title IV Funds (Federal Student Financial Aid Programs) was implemented at FMU the fall semester 2000. Federal regulations require each educational institution to have a written policy for the refund and repayment of federal aid received by students who withdraw during a term for which payment has been received. These policies are effective only if the student completely terminated enrollment (i.e., cancels his/her registration, withdraws, or is dismissed) or stops attending classes before completing more than 60 percent of the enrollment period.

The amount of refund of fees for students who withdraw will be calculated as outlined in the Refund Policy in this catalog, or you may contact the Accounting or Financial Assistance offices for details.

Repayment policy: The amount of Title IV aid that a student must repay is determined via the Federal Formula for Return of Title IV funds as specified in Section 484B of the Higher Education Act. This law also specified the order of return of the Title IV funds to the program from which they were awarded.

A repayment may be required when cash has been disbursed to a student from financial aid funds in excess of the amount of aid the student earned during the term.

The responsibility for returning unearned aid is allocated between FMU and the student. The student will be billed for the amount owed FMU resulting from the return of Title IV funds.