Refund of Charges Policy and Return of Financial Aid Funds Policy

A student who officially withdraws or is granted continuous enrollment status during a semester may be entitled to a refund of tuition and dining charges depending on the student’s date of withdrawal, and/or date of continuous enrollment status. Online Counseling Programs are refunded according to the Refund Policy for Online Counseling Programs. 

Tuition refunds are based on the date of official withdrawal or the effective date of continuous enrollment status. Please refer to the official “Schedule of Refunds for Withdrawal or Continuous Enrollment” for the respective semester of enrollment. Refunds will be reduced by the amount of any outstanding charges on a student’s account.  If refunded charges leave a credit balance on the student account, the student is responsible for completing an online student refund request at (http://finance.wfu.edu/sfs/student-refund/) or the credit balance will remain on the student account and will be applied for future semesters. If the credit is a direct result of Title IV aid, the credit is automatically refunded to the student. 

Vehicle registration fees will not be refunded unless the issued permit is returned to Transportation and Parking Services before the first day of class. Students graduating or studying abroad for spring semester may receive a prorated refund of the vehicle registration fee  by returning the issued permits to the Transportation and Parking Services office.

Schedule of Refunds for Withdrawal or Continuous Enrollment

Fall & Spring Semesters
Official Date Tuition Refunded
Before semester begins 100% tuition, less deposit
First week of semester 85%
Second week of semester 75%
Third week of semester 50%
Fourth week of semester 30%
Fifth week of semester 20%
After fifth week of semester 0%
Summer Sessions I & II (6 week sessions) 
Official Date Tuition Refunded
First three days of session 100% tuition, less deposit
Fourth day of session 75%
Fifth day of session 50%
Sixth day of session 25%
After sixth day of session 0%
Full Summer Session (12 week session)
Official Date Tuition Refunded
First five days of session 100% tuition, less deposit
Sixth - Ninth day of session 75%
Tenth - Twelfth day of session 50%
Thirteenth - Fifteenth day of session 25%
After fifteenth day of session 0%

There are no refunds for mandatory fees after the first class day in a semester as reflected in the academic calendar.

Students are responsible for officially dropping courses to be eligible for an adjustment. Nonpayment for classes for which you are registered or non-attendance in a registered class does not release you from financial obligation and will not drop you from the class. 

A student using scholarships, grants, or loans to help pay educational expenses, whose account was paid-in-full prior to withdrawal, is likely to owe the University after withdrawal. Return of Title IV funds are handled in accordance with federal law. Students should consult the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Tuition, fees, housing, dining and all other charges will not be refunded when a student is suspended or expelled from the University as a result of a conduct or honor code violation. Return of Title IV funds are handled in accordance with federal law. 

* Refunds will be reduced by the amount of any outstanding charges on a student's account. 

Pursuant to The Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018

GI Bill® and VR&E beneficiaries (Chapter 33 and Chapter 31 beneficiaries) may attend a course of education or training for up to 90 days from the date the beneficiary provides:

A certificate of eligibility, or a “statement of benefits” obtained from the VA’s eBenefits web site, or a valid VAF 28-1905 form for Chapter 31 authorization purposes, provided that the student beneficiary provides such documentation to the appropriate VA Certifying Official no later than the first day of a course of education, and provided that the student provides any additional payment amount due that is the difference between the amount of the student’s financial obligation and the anticipated amount of the VA education disbursement to Wake Forest University.

This policy allows a student to attend the course until the VA provides payment to Wake Forest University. Wake Forest University will not impose a penalty, or require the beneficiary to borrow additional funds to cover tuition and fees due to late payments from the VA.

University Disruption Refund Policy

Circumstances may arise during a semester that cause significant disruptions to University operations and result in the University closing the campus.  These circumstances include, without limitation, extreme weather, fire, natural disaster, war, labor disturbances, loss of utilities, riots or civil commotions, epidemic, pandemic, public health crisis, power of government, or any other circumstance like or unlike any circumstance mentioned above, which is beyond the reasonable control or authority of the University.

In the event of a significant disruption to University operations either:

  • During a semester that results in the University closing campus for the remainder of the semester;
  • At the beginning of a semester that delays or prevents the University opening campus; or
  • During a semester that results in the University closing campus temporarily during the semester

The University will issue refunds for housing and dining charges and wellness and parking fees to students where applicable and according to the refund schedule below.  There will be no refunds for tuition or Student Health, Student Activity, or any other fees paid by or on behalf of students. Refunds (if applicable) will be calculated at the end of the semester.

This policy applies to significant disruptions where the University closes campus.  It does not apply where students officially withdraw from the University or are officially granted continuous enrollment status during a semester.  Refunds, if any, in those circumstances are governed by the University’s Refund of Charges Policy.

Fall & Spring Semesters - University Disruption Refund Schedule

Number of Whole or Partial (Sunday-Saturday) Weeks When Campus is Open Refund Percentage
0 100%
1 85%
2 78%
3 71%
4 64%
5 57%
6 50%
7 43%
8 36%
9 29%
10 22%
11 15%
12 10%
13 No Refund
14 No Refund
15 No Refund
16 No Refund
 

Summer Sessions I & II (6 week sessions) - University Disruption Refund Schedule

Number of Whole or Partial (Sunday-Saturday) Weeks When Campus is Open Refund Percentage
0 100%
1 75%
2 50%
3 25%
4 No Refund
5 No Refund
6 No Refund

Full Summer Session (12 week session) - University Disruption Refund Schedule

Number of Whole or Partial (Sunday-Saturday) Weeks When Campus is Open Refund Percentage
0 100%
1 85%
2 75%
3 65%
4 55%
5 45%
6 35%
7 25%
8 15%
9 No Refund
10 No Refund
11 No Refund
12 No Refund

The statements concerning expenses are given as information to prospective students. They should not be regarded as forming a contract between the student and the University. The costs of instruction and other services outlined here are those in effect on the date this material was printed. Wake Forest University may change the cost of instruction and other services at any time.