A student must notify the Center for Student Success in writing that he or she intends to withdraw or request a leave of absence from Gettysburg College. The Center for Student Success will determine the student’s date of withdrawal (or leave) based on the student’s last known date of attendance or participation at an academically-related activity. The process to determine the date of withdrawal (or leave) will be the same for students who officially or unofficially withdraw.
Refunds for Tuition, Global Study Tuition* and Program Fees*
Refunds for the above are calculated as follows:
- 100 percent, if notice is received by the tenth day of classes;
- 80 percent, if notice is received by the third week of classes;
- 50 percent, if notice is received by the fourth week of classes;
- 25 percent, if notice is received by the sixth week of classes.
No refund of tuition, global study tuition or program fees will be calculated after the end of the sixth week of classes.
*Refunds for Global Study Tuition and Program fees will be based on the affiliated global study program institution’s refund policy. Gettysburg College retains the right to charge the student for any non-recoverable costs due to the student’s withdrawal from the program.
Refunds for Room charges will be calculated based on the time the student was in their room for the semester. A credit for the unused time will be applied to the Student Account.
Refunds for Meal plans will be calculated based on the time the student was on campus for the semester. A credit for the unused portion of the meal plan will be applied to the Student Account.
Calculating Return of Federal Student Aid – LOA and Withdrawals
The federal government requires Gettysburg College to publish its federal refund policy under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended. This refund policy sets guidelines for students who withdraw from the College if they receive financial assistance from the federal government.
The Department of Education stipulates the way funds paid toward a student’s education are to be handled when a recipient of Title IV funds withdraws from school. A statutory schedule is used to determine the amount of Title IV funds a student has earned when he or she ceases attendance based on the period the student was in attendance. Through the 60-percent point in each payment period or period of enrollment, a pro rata schedule is used to determine how much Title IV funds the student has earned at the time of withdrawal. After the 60-percent point in the payment period or period of enrollment, a student has earned 100 percent of the Title IV funds.
To determine how much financial aid a student has earned, the College will calculate the percentage of the period completed at the date of withdrawal, based on calendar days between the first day of classes and the last day of classes in an academic semester. Scheduled breaks of 5 days or longer will be excluded. This is the percentage of assistance earned.
The amount of Title IV assistance not earned is calculated by determining the percentage of assistance earned and applying it to the total amount of grant and loan assistance that was disbursed. The amount the school must return is the lesser of:
- the unearned amount of Title IV assistance, or
- the institutional charges incurred for the period of enrollment multiplied by the unearned percentage
In general, the amendments require that when a recipient of Title IV funds withdraws, the school must calculate the amount of Title IV funds the student earned. The percentage and amount not earned is the complement of the percentage of Title IV funds that was disbursed (and that could have been disbursed) to the student, for the payment period or period of enrollment as of the day the student withdrew or the date of the institution’s determination that the student withdrew. If the student received less Title IV funds than the amount earned, the school must comply with the procedures for post-withdrawal disbursement specified by the federal regulations. If the student received more Title IV funds than the amount earned, the school or the student, or both, must return the unearned funds as required and in the order specified.
Title IV funds for the payment period or period of enrollment for which a return of funds is required must be returned in the following order:
- Federal Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans (other than Direct PLUS loans)
- Federal Subsidized Direct Stafford Loans
- Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans
- Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
- Federal Pell Grants for which a return of Title IV funds is required
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) for which a return of Title IV funds is required
The student (or parent, if a Federal PLUS loan) must return or repay, as appropriate, the remaining unearned Title IV grant and loan funds. The student (or parent, if a Federal PLUS loan) must return the unearned funds for which they are responsible to loan programs in accordance with the terms of the loan, and to grant programs as an overpayment. Grant overpayments are subject to repayment arrangements satisfactory to the school, or overpayment collection procedures prescribed by the Department of Education.
If the Return of Title IV calculation results in an amount to be returns that exceeds the College’s portion, the student must repay some funds.
If the Return of Title IV calculation results in a credit balance on the student’ account, the credit balance will be disbursed via the Student Accounts credit balance refund process no later than 14 days after the calculation.
The College will return Title IV funds to the Department of Education as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after determining the student has withdrawn.
Title IV funds that the student has earned but have not yet been disbursed to the student at the time of the leave or withdrawal will be applied to the student’s account first and if this results in a credit balance will be disbursed via the Student Accounts credit balance refund process. Federal grants will be disbursed within 45 days. Federal loans are offered to the student within 30 days and the student has 14 days to respond to accept or decline the funds.
Students receiving financial assistance may have a portion of their original award returned to the programs as required by federal regulation and the Gettysburg College refund policy, thus creating a balance due to the College. For this reason, students contemplating withdrawing during a term of enrollment are strongly encouraged to meet with the Student Accounts Office and Financial Aid Office prior to leaving the College.
To further understand the regulations the College follows relating to Title IV funds see volume 5 of the most recent FSA handbook
Tuition Refund Insurance
We recommend every family consider GradGuard’s™ Tuition Protection Plan.
We believe it’s important to offer an easy, affordable way to protect the investment your family has made in higher education. That’s why Gettysburg College has negotiated with GradGuard™ to provide our families with tuition insurance featuring special plans and rates not available to the general public.
This coverage expands the scope of our refund policy by ensuring reimbursement for tuition, room and board and other fees for covered withdrawals at any time during the semester. Plans also include Student Life Assistance: a 24-hour emergency hotline that offers students and parents even greater peace of mind.
For important information related to COVID-19 and tuition refund insurance, please see the following information on the GradGuard site: Tuition COVID-19 Coverage Alert (PDF) Learn more at www.gradguard.com/tuition/gettysburg or call 1-877-794-6603.