As a student, you are responsible for knowing what courses you are registered for, paying your billing on time, understanding the refund policy, and following the correct procedures to withdraw from courses.
This refund policy applies to all students regardless of the reason for withdrawal (personal, medical, academic, official withdrawal).
Students dismissed (suspended or expelled) from the college or removed from campus housing for disciplinary reasons are not entitled to a refund at any time.
The first day of classes as scheduled by the college shall be deemed to be the first day that classes are offered, as determined by the academic calendar.
Students who enroll for courses after the semester start date or start attending courses after the semester start date and then withdraw are still responsible for paying tuition and fees in accordance with the tuition and fee liability schedule.
The exception is for withdrawals from courses defined by the Office of the Registrar as late-start courses.
Leaves or Withdrawals
Please contact the Office of the Registrar to apply for a voluntary withdrawal or leave of absence. Students who are dismissed from the college or removed from campus housing for disciplinary reasons are not entitled to a refund at any time.
Students who take a medical leave of absence, personal leave of absence, or withdraw from Purchase College after the start of the semester will be entitled to earn a portion of their financial aid funds after a federal Title IV recalculation. This is a federally mandated policy that may require Purchase College to return federal financial aid funding detailed below.
Federal Financial Aid
Federal law requires aid recipients to “earn” most of the aid they receive by staying enrolled in college at least half time.
Students who withdraw prior to completing 60 percent of the semester for which they received federal student aid may be required to return some of the aid they were awarded. The law assumes that the student used the Title IV student aid (e.g., Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Parent (PLUS) Loan or Perkins Loan) to pay their institutional charges - tuition, fees, residence hall room and board (meal plan), and other institutional charges. Thus, if the student withdraws prior to completing 60 percent of the semester for which they were awarded aid, the unearned portion of the aid must be returned to the federal government. Please review the Title IV Return of Funds webpage.
Late payment fees
Late registration ( add/drop) fees
Payment plan enrollment and late fees
Fall 2025
The last day to drop without liability is September 1st, 2025. If you reduce your number of credits below the full-time level of 12 credits or completely withdraw from the college after this date, you will be responsible for paying tuition and fees according to the schedules below.
During 0% liability, refunds will be processed and charges removed for tuition and fees. After 0% liability, tuition and fees will be prorated according to the schedules below.
Please click on the Housing link for room liability dates and Meal Plan for board liability dates.
Deposit Type
Refundable Until
Admissions
May 1, 2025
Housing
May 1, 2025
After these dates the Admissions/Enrollment and Housing Deposits will be forfeited.
Students who are academically dismissed from the college are eligible for a refund of their housing deposit placed for the upcoming academic year.
Full Semester
Period of Enrollment
Tuition and Fees Refund
Tuition and Fee Liability
Aug. 25–Sept. 1
100%
0%
Sept. 2 – Sept. 5
70%
30%
Sept. 6 – Sept. 12
50%
50%
Sept. 13 – Sept. 19
30%
70%
On or after Sept. 20
0%
100%
Short Term
Period of Enrollment
Tuition and Fees Refund
Tuition and Fee Liability
Oct. 13 - Oct. 17
100%
0%
Oct. 18 - Oct. 24
70%
30%
Oct. 25 - Oct. 31
50%
50%
Nov. 1 - Nov. 7
30%
70%
On or after Nov. 8
0%
100%
If a meal plan is cancelled by the quarter-point of the semester, September 19th, 2025, for the Fall 2025 semester, a 50% refund will be issued. No refund (0%) will be issued after the quarter-point of the semester.
The last day to change your meal plan for Fall 2025: September 3, 2025, at 4 pm.
Period of Enrollment
Refund
Before Aug. 25
100%
Aug. 25 – Sept. 19
50%
On or after Sept. 20
0%
If a student cancels their room plan after they have moved in but before the quarter-point of the semester, September 19th, 2025, a 50% refund will be issued. No refund (0%) will be issued after the quarter-point of the semester.
The last day to drop without liability is January 27th, 2026. If you reduce your number of credits below the full-time level of 12 credits or completely withdraw from the college after this date, you will be responsible for paying tuition and fees according to the schedules below.
During 0% liability, refunds will be processed and charges removed for tuition and fees. After 0% liability, tuition and fees will be prorated according to the schedules below.
Please click on the Housing link for room liability dates and Meal Plan for board liability dates.
Full semester classes
Period of Enrollment
Tuition and Fees Refund
Tuition and Fee Liability
Jan. 21 - 27
100%
0%
Jan. 28 - Feb 3
70%
30%
Feb. 4 - Feb. 10
50%
50%
Feb. 11 - Feb. 17
30%
70%
On or after Feb. 18
0%
100%
Short Term classes
Period of Enrollment
Tuition and Fees Refund
Tuition and Fees Liability
Mar. 9 - Mar. 13
100%
0%
Mar. 14 - Mar. 20
70%
30%
Mar. 21 - Mar. 27
50%
50%
Mar. 28 - Apr. 3
30%
70%
On or after Apr. 4
0%
100%
If a meal plan is cancelled by the quarter-point of the semester, February 17, 2026, for the Spring 2026 semester, a 50% refund will be issued. No refund (0%) will be issued after the quarter-point of the semester.
The last day to change your meal plan for Spring 2026: January 28, 2026
Period of Enrollment
Refund
Before Jan. 21
100%
Jan. 21 – Feb. 17
50%
On or after Feb. 18
0%
If a student cancels their room plan after they have moved in but before the quarter-point of the semester (February 17, 2026, for the Spring 2026 semester), a 50% refund will be issued. No refund (0%) will be issued after the quarter-point of the semester.
