Refunds

Tuition Refund Policy - Curriculum Students

In accordance with 1E SBCCC 900.98, a refund cannot be made except under the following circumstances:

  • A 100 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws prior to the first day of class(es) of the academic semester as noted in the College calendar. Also, a student is eligible for a 100 percent refund if the class in which the student is officially registered is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.
  • A 75 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from the class(es) prior to or on the official 10 percent point of the semester.
  • For classes beginning at times other than the first week (seven calendar days) of the semester, a 100 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from the class prior to the first class meeting. A 75 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from the class prior to or on the 10 percent point of the class.
  • A 100 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from a contact hour class prior to the first day of class(es) of the academic semester or if the college cancels the class. A 75 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from a contact hour class on or before the 10th calendar day of the class.

To comply with applicable federal regulations regarding refunds, federal regulations will supersede the state refund regulations stated in this rule.

If a student should die during the semester (prior to or on the last day of examinations), having paid the required tuition for a semester, all tuition and fees for that semester may be refunded to the estate of the deceased (upon request) or to the Department of Education if the student was a Pell recipient.

Note: Tuition refunds and student activity refunds will not be considered for amounts of $5 or less, except when a course fails to materialize; then all the student’s tuition and fees shall be refunded.

Financial Aid Title IV Refund

If a student completely withdraws or reduces course load after the term has started, they may be required to repay a portion or all of their student financial aid. If a student officially or unofficially withdraws from the College or stops attending classes prior to the 60 percent point of the term, they may be responsible for the repayment of all or a portion of any Title IV aid aid received. This may include the Federal Pell Grant. If a student withdraws from all classes prior to the 35 percent point of the term, they may be responsible for repaying all of a portion of state grant funds received. This includes the NC Community College Grant and NC Education Lottery Scholarship. Failure to repay a balance owed to the College will result in a restriction being placed on the student’s record. A restriction will prevent students from registering and receiving financial aid in future terms.

Military Tuition Refund

Upon request of the student, the College shall grant a full refund of tuition and fees to military reserve and National Guard personnel called to active duty or active duty personnel who have received temporary or permanent reassignments as a result of military operations that make it impossible for them to complete their course requirements; and buy back textbooks through the College's bookstore operations to the extent allowable under the bookstore's buy back procedures.  The College will use distance learning technologies and other educational methodologies, to the extent possible as determined by the College, to help active duty military students, under the guidance of faculty and administrative staff, complete their course requirements.

Student Activity Fee Refund Policy - Curriculum Students

A 100 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws prior to the first day of class(es) of the academic semester as noted in the College calendar. Also, a student is eligible for a 100 percent refund if the class in which the student is officially registered is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.

Financial Aid Drops, Withdrawals and Overpayments

Students who cancel aid, have aid revoked, or who do not plan to attend classes are responsible for officially dropping or withdrawing from any classes for which they are registered Failure to cancel unwanted classes before the first day of the term may result in a financial liability to the College.

Students who drop classes and reduce their course load during the semester may not be eligible for the entire award offered. Students are advised to consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact dropping classes may have.

Students who completely withdraw from school, officially or unofficially, before completion of 60% of the term may be required to repay all or a portion of unearned Title IV aid to the College or to the U.S. Department of Education. Title IV aid includes the Federal Pell Grant. Students who completely withdraw from school before completion of 35% of the term may be required to repay all or a portion of any unearned state grant funds. State grant funds include the NC Community College Grant and NC Education Lottery Scholarship. Repayment of unearned funds to the College or the U.S. Department of Education is known as an overpayment.