Fee Refunds and Waivers

The College’s policy is not to refund or waive a fee unless a procedural error occurs or there are special extenuating circumstances involved.  A procedural error is a mistake made by a staff member or department that resulted in fees being posted inappropriately.  Special extenuating circumstances may include financial hardships, loss of job, family emergency, death in family, severe medical condition, etc., or other instances beyond a student’s control which preclude payment. The College’s Chief Financial Officer, as the President’s designee, is responsible for final approval of any fee waiver or refund request in consultation with the department responsible for administering the fee. This policy pertains to all students, part-time or full-time. 

Types of Refunds and Waivers

Fees

SUNY’s Board of Trustees has the authority to regulate all fees at state-operated campuses. The Board has delegated authority related to certain fees to the Chancellor or Campus President.  Broad based, course based and mandatory fees require approval of the Chancellor or Designee. Campus authorized fees require approval of the President or the President’s Designee.

Broad-based Fees

Broad-based fees are generally charged on a pro rata basis to all enrolled students to finance discrete activities that are part of the core operating mission of the campus and benefit the greater student body, (not necessarily the individual). These presently consist of the College fee, Intercollegiate Athletic fee, Transportation fee, Technology fee, and Student Health fee. SUNY requires campuses to establish Broad based fees refund and waiver policies which address part-time, non-traditional, on-line and off-site students fairly, including winter and summer sessions. These policies differ from Old Westbury’s general policy and procedures outlined in Sections I and II above.

• Winter and Summer: Broad-based fees are charged on a part-time/per credit basis. Students may be exempted from these fees, with the exception of the Technology fee, if a waiver is properly completed and timely submitted.
• Offsite Students: Students participating in a Study-abroad Program or other Old Westbury instructed academic program not conducted on campus for a full semester and are not taking any on campus courses in that particular semester may request a waiver of the Intercollegiate Athletic, Health Service and Transportation Fees.
•  Online Students: Students enrolled in online courses only in a particular semester, who reside more than 40 miles from campus, and are not resident students at Old Westbury may request a waiver of the Intercollegiate Athletic, Health Service and Transportation Fees.

Unlike the general procedures in Section II, waivers must be submitted to the Bursar’s Office on the Fee Waiver Request Form within two weeks of the beginning of the semester for which the waiver is being requested. Supporting documentation may be required as part of the Bursar’s review. Appeals and final decisions will be handled through the Office of the Senior Vice President for the Division of Business & Finance. 

Other Fees

Course-based fees are costs associated with providing a specific course (lab fee, visual arts fee, equestrian fee, etc.). Mandatory fees include student activity fee (per referendum), admission application, late registration, drop/add, transcript, course auditor, etc.  Campus authorized fees include a host of charges such as residential hall room rates, advance room and damage deposits, meal plans, identification card fees, orientation fees, vehicle registration fees, parking fines, orientation, library fees and fines, etc. See Section IV for information regarding refund and waiver procedures due to unusual circumstances. 

Refer to SUNY Policy “Fees, Rentals and Other Charges - Document Number:7804” for specifics regarding fees.  See Tuition and Aid page for a complete list of Old Westbury’s Tuition and Fees. 

Room Charges

All students living in residence halls seeking refund of housing charges must comply with the terms and conditions of the Residence Hall License Agreement which can be found in the Office of Residential Life Campus Housing Policies. Room refunds after occupancy are based on the date occupancy is acceptably terminated (determined by the Office of Residential Life). A student who withdraws from the residence halls at any time prior to six weeks of the semester is liable for room and meal charges prorated based upon the week of termination. A student who withdraws after first six weeks of the semester is liable for the full semester’s rent. The Housing License Agreement is binding for the entire Academic Year. 

Meal Plan

All residential students are required to have a meal plan when residing on campus. Only students who have officially withdrawn from the residence halls will be entitled to a meal plan refund. Meals eaten during a portion of a week shall be considered as having been eaten for a full week. There shall be no refund for less than a week. A request for refund or waiver of a meal plan will not be granted unless for religious or dietary reasons supported by appropriate documentation. The student must first consult with the College’s Food Service’s management to see if alternative food plans are available. Food Service’s management will advise the Division of Business & Finance and a final decision to reject or approve will be made. Approved refunds are based on the refund rates listed in the table below.

Veteran’s Exemption

Any veteran attending SUNY Old Westbury who served in the armed forces of the United States in time of war shall be exempt from vehicle registration and parking fees. The veteran must submit a written request for exemption together with written certification that such veteran was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from service. The request, along with the required supporting documentation, should be presented in person to the Division of Business & Finance or mailed to:

SUNY Old Westbury
Division of Business & Finance
P.O. Box 210
Old Westbury, NY 11568
Attn: Associate Vice President & Controller

Other Refund and Waiver Information

Un-Cashed Refund Checks

Funds for refund checks that are un-cashed after one year are turned over to the State of New York as unclaimed funds. Once turned over, an owner would need to contact the Office of the State Comptroller, Office of Unclaimed Funds 110 State Street Albany, NY 12236; the phone number is 800-221-9311. The college notifies students of un-cashed checks before the year is ended, so it is important to keep your address and contact information current with the college’s Registrar.

Refunds from Overpayments and Financial Aid

Refunds are done based on the information we have on the date the refund is processed. Billed college charges are deducted from payments and credits first before the refund is processed. Refunds occurring from credit card payments are generally returned to the credit card used for payment and parent loans are generally returned to the parent borrower. Changes to account charges or financial aid may occur after this date. These changes are the student’s responsibility to pay or follow up with the Office of Financial Aid. 

Financial Aid Ineligibility Waiver

Students who have lost eligibility for state financial aid for failure to meet pursuit or progress standards may request a waiver. Waiver applications will be considered by the Office of Academic Affairs if the student can provide adequate reasons for not having met minimum standards. Waiver applications are available in the Office of Financial Aid. Completed applications must be accompanied by appropriate documentation, e.g., medical records, letters from community agencies or College officials.

Course Auditors Fee

Individuals authorized to attend courses as auditors are not to be charged tuition for such courses. However, a registration fee may be charged as well as any penalty fees (i.e., late registration, library fines). The registration fee may be waived by the Campus President or the President's Designee, in cases where the charge will exert an extreme hardship on the individual. Authorization for waiver of the registration fee should be in writing and signed by the Campus President or President's Designee. Refer to SUNY Policy Waiver - Tuition for Course Auditors Document Number:7816 for additional information.

Unusual Circumstances

Due to an unanticipated, significant event declared by the President or designee which causes a disruption in the provision of a fee-based service or product, the College may, depending on the nature or severity of the event, either reduce or waive a fee in its entirety.

If refunds are provided, the amount of the refund will be based on a proration of the full fee from the date of the declared event through the end of the semester. Refunds of room rents and meal plans will be based on a proration of the full rent and meal plan cost from the departure date from the residence hall to the end of the semester. If a course with a fee is cancelled, students will be fully refunded the course fee. If unusual or unforeseen circumstances occur which prevent the continuation of a course, the President or designee may either reduce or waive the course-based fee in its entirety. If a refund is provided, the amount of the refund will be based on a proration of the full fee from the date the course was discontinued through the end of the semester.