Refund Policy
General Refund Information
Refunds are processed only when an actual credit (posted transaction) exists on a student account. Anticipated or pending payments (e.g., company reimbursements, fellowships, sponsorships, loans, VA benefits (Post-9/11 GI Bill®) or other expected funding) do not constitute a posted credit and are not eligible for advance refund.
Refunds are typically processed within 10–14 business days from the date a credit is generated on the student account.
Students are strongly encouraged to enroll and sign up for direct deposit through the student portal to expedite receipt of funds. Please ensure banking information is entered accurately to avoid delays.
If changes are made to your account after a refund has been issued, any resulting balance is the student’s responsibility and must be paid by the applicable payment deadline. Failure to do so may result in holds and/or late fees.
- Refund eligibility is determined based on the date a completed Change in Registration (Add/Drop) Form is processed by the student’s academic department.
- Fees, including but not limited to Student Services Fees and Technology Fees, are nonrefundable beyond the applicable 100% refund deadline.
- If a third party (e.g., VA benefits,(Post-9/11 GI Bill®) employer, agency, sponsor) paid charges on a student’s behalf, any resulting refund will be issued to the third party.
- If the third party provides written authorization to the Student Accounts Office permitting excess funds to be released to the student, the refund will be disbursed after the final add/drop deadline for the term.
- Financial aid refunds are disbursed only after all institutional charges have been satisfied.
- Federal loan disbursements are generally credited to student accounts approximately 10 days prior to the start of each semester. Any resulting credit balance will be refunded in accordance with federal regulations and university policy.
- Stipends posted on or before the tuition and fees due date for a term are refundable to the extent they exceed the estimated tuition due for that term.
- After the tuition and fees due date:
- Stipend funds are first applied to any outstanding balance.
- Any remaining posted credit is refundable.
- Students seeking a full refund of stipend funds after the tuition due date, despite an outstanding balance, must either:
- Enroll in the available installment payment plan for the term, or
- Contact the Student Accounts Office with documentation explaining how the remaining balance will be resolved.
Refunds Related to Registration Changes
Third-Party Payments
Loan Refunds
Academic Stipends
Federal Return to Title IV (R2T4) Policy
Federal regulations may supersede the institutional refund policy.
Under the Federal Return to Title IV (R2T4) Policy, CGU must determine the amount of federal financial aid earned if a student withdraws on or before the 60% point of the enrollment period. Any unearned federal aid must be returned to the appropriate federal aid program.
After the 60% point of the enrollment period, no federal aid refund is required.
Because federal and institutional refund calculations may differ, students are strongly encouraged to consult the Financial Aid Office before initiating the withdrawal process.
Right to Cancel (California Education Code § 94909)
Students who have paid tuition and fees but do not plan to enroll must submit a Registration (Add/Drop) Form to cancel enrollment. The form must specify the semester or module being canceled and the reason for cancellation.
Pursuant to California Education Code § 94909, students have the right to cancel their enrollment agreement and receive a refund of charges paid through attendance at the first class session or the seventh day after enrollment (whichever is later), provided that a Registration (Add/Drop) Form is received by the Registrar’s Office no later than the seventh day after enrollment.
A full refund of charges paid to Claremont Graduate University will be issued, excluding the nonrefundable tuition deposit.
Students who cancel registration and purchased medical insurance through the university will lose associated coverage and benefits.