Refund Policies

A student who is considering withdrawing from the University or dropping a class is strongly encouraged to discuss implications with his/her academic advisor.

Students who withdraw (from all courses or from an individual course) will be charged tuition on a proportionate basis according to the schedules below based on the part of term for the course. Upon complete withdrawal from the University, room and meal plan charges will be adjusted in accordance with the refund schedule for full-term courses. Housing and meal plan charges for summer follow a separate refund schedule. The term "refund" below refers to the percentage of the reduction in charges. Fees and deposits are not refundable. As such, the percentage of any payment and/or aid that may be returned to you (if any) may be different.

For refunding purposes, the first week is defined as the first seven calendar days in the term. Ex: If the term starts on a Monday, the first week runs from Monday through the following Sunday.

All dates are subject to change.

Full-Term Courses, Room Charges & Meal Plans

Part of Term 1 and DE

  • In the 1st week - 100% Refund
  • In the 2nd week - 80% Refund
  • In the 3rd week - 60% Refund
  • In the 4th week - 50% Refund
  • In the 5th or 6th week - 20% Refund
  • After the 6th week - 0% Refund

Study abroad programs are excluded from this policy as refund amounts vary by destination. Contact the director of study abroad for information.

Weekend Courses

Part of Term A and B

  • Before 2nd class meeting - 100% Refund
  • Before 3rd class meeting - 75% Refund
  • Before 4th class meeting - 50% Refund
  • Before 5th class meeting - 25% Refund
  • After 5th class meeting - No Refund

Ed.D. students are required to return their Fisher-issued laptops and books upon withdrawal. Failure to do so will result in additional charges.

Other Courses

(6 and 7-Week, etc.) - Part of Term 7A, 7B, X, and Z

Withdrawal Date Refund

  • In the 1st week - 100% Refund
  • In the 2nd week - 75% Refund
  • In the 3rd week - 50% Refund
  • In the 4th week - 25% Refund
  • After 4th week - No Refund

Special Parts of Term

Part of Term S

  • Prior to 10% completion point - 100% Refund
  • 10-19.9% - 75% Refund
  • 20-29.9% - 50% Refund
  • 30-39.9% - 25% Refund
  • At 40% or more - No Refund

Pharmacy

  • In the first week - 100% Refund
  • After the first week - No Refund

Students wishing to withdraw from the pharmacy program must notify the Pharmacy Office of Student Affairs in writing of their intentions.

Summer Housing & Meal Plan

  • Prior to published residence hall opening date for session - 100% refund
  • 12 Week Session - No Refund as of 5/20/2024
  • 6 Week Session #1 - No Refund as of 5/20/2024
  • 6 Week Session #2 - No Refund as of 7/8/2024
  • Summer Research Program Participants - No Refund as of 6/3/2024

Nonprofit Management Certificate Program

  • Withdrawal from a course within 10 days of the course start date - 100% Refund
  • Withdrawal from a course between day 11 and day 24 - 75% Refund
  • Withdrawal from a course between day 25 and day 38 - 50% Refund
  • Withdrawal from a course after day 38 - 0% Refund

Note: In order to be eligible for a refund for the nonprofit management certificate program, written notification of your withdrawal from the course or courses must be provided to Melanie Phillips (mphillips@sjf.edu) within one week of your intent to withdraw. 

Return of Title IV Funds

When a student who is a Title IV Fund recipient withdraws from St. John Fisher University, the Federal Government specifies how the University determines the amount of Title IV program assistance the student earns. For complete details on the return of Title IV funds when a student withdraws, please review our Return of Title IV Funds Policy [pdf].

Title IV Fund recipients who are withdrawing from classes that are offered in modules (i.e. 6 week and 7 week courses) should review our Part of Term Withdrawal Policy [pdf].

Students studying abroad with a Fisher-affiliated program should notify the applicable parties immediately of a withdrawal and review the Study Abroad Withdrawal Process & Refund Policy [pdf]