PROCESS FOR HOUSING AND MEAL PLAN REFUNDS/CREDITS

Dear Philander Smith College Students,

Thank you for your patience as we finalized the complex process to determine how to calculate and issue refunds and credits for room and board plans that were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To better understand the refund process and how it relates to each student individually, each scholar should check his/her student balance. To check the current student account balance, please log into your MyPanther account. Under the “Students” Tab - click “Business Office” on the left side of the screen - and then “View My Course and Fee Statement.”

It also important to note that all textbooks must be received before any refunds can be issued. (Please expect additional directions on how to return textbooks at no cost to students.)

We realize that, through no fault of you own, you were impacted by the College’s decision to suspend in-person academic instruction and close the residential halls for the remainder of the Spring 2020 Semester. While these were measures taken to ensure the health and safety of our campus community, we understand the implications of these actions on our students and their families.

Because we deeply appreciate your understanding throughout these challenging circumstances, we hope the refunds and credits will be of assistance as we all experience the impact of this public health crisis. 

Q: WILL I GET A REFUND?

The College will utilize a five-step process to determine the issuance of refunds or credits to students as a result of the changes made to the Spring 2020 Semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The steps are as follows:

1. We will calculate a pro-rated amount of unused meal plan charges per student. The pro-rated amount will extend from the date the College closed the residence halls through the last day of classes in the academic year. 

2. We will calculate a pro-rated amount of housing charges based on the date the College closed the residence halls or the date the student moved/checked out of the residence halls as documented by Residential Life if an extension was granted.

3. If a student currently owes the College funds (balance due on their account), we will apply the pro-rated room and board credit to the student account against the outstanding balance. There is a possibility that the credit applied to the account will not generate a refund based on the student’s current outstanding balance.

4. We will enforce our institutional aid policy. Institutional aid received from the College in order to cover the direct cost of attending the College cannot be refunded. We will offset the pro-rated room and board credit adjustment against the institutional aid and the institutional aid amount awarded to the student for attending the Spring Semester of 2020 will be adjusted accordingly.

5. Returning students who do not have a balance due to the College and did not receive institutional aid to cover the direct costs of attendance will have the following options regarding their credit balance:

• refunded to the student or the parent (if the parent has a PLUS Loan)

• refunded to the student and then applied towards summer school tuition (if they are planning to attend)

• refunded to the student and then applied towards the next academic semester balance.

If the student is a graduating senior, the credit amount on his/her account will be remitted via check after Steps 1-4 noted above and provided the student has returned his/her textbooks.

NOTE: Textbooks must be returned before refunds will be issued. You will receive instructions on returning textbooks by Friday, April 24th.

Q: WHEN WILL I SEE THE CREDIT ADJUSTMENT APPLIED TO MY ACCOUNT?

The College will begin applying credit adjustments to graduating seniors the week of May 4, 2020. The College will begin applying credit adjustments to returning students the week of May 11, 2020. If you are eligible to receive a remittance, refunds will be processed weekly.*

* Textbooks must be returned before refunds will be issued. 

Q:  WHO CAN I REACH OUT TO IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT A REFUND?

• If a student or their parent(s) has questions or comments regarding refunds, please contact the Business Office by email at jennifer.davis@philander.edu or uellis@philander.edu.

• If a student or their parent(s) has questions or comments regarding adjustments to their financial aid package, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at (501) 370-5349 or by email at financialaid@philander.edu.