Appalachian State University issues student refunds for various reasons, including excess financial aid, overpayments, schedule adjustments, and withdrawals. This page outlines how and when refunds are processed, how to receive them, and special cases to be aware of.

Refund Processing

Refunds are typically processed each Tuesday and Thursday. Credit balances resulting from financial aid exceeding institutional charges are automatically refunded. Refunds for non-financial aid credits must be requested by the student through the Office of Student Accounts.

Note: Refunds for upcoming terms will not be issued more than 10 days before the first day of class.

Credit balances for current and prior terms are eligible for refund, unless:

  • The credit is tied to a Parent PLUS Loan.
  • The credit requires additional review or verification.

Payments made for future terms will not be refunded. Be mindful when selecting the term during online payments—credits are applied based on the term selected before clicking “pay now.”

How Refunds Are Issued

Direct Deposit (Recommended)

Refunds are issued via Direct Deposit for students who have set it up in the Billing and Payment Center by Touchnet. Allow three full business days from the issue date for funds to appear in your account.

To ensure timely delivery:

  • Set up Direct Deposit at least two weeks before the term begins.

Mailed Check (If No Direct Deposit)

If no Direct Deposit is set up:

  • A check will be mailed to your REFUND address listed in your Personal Information tab in AppalNet.
  • If no REFUND address exists, checks are sent to your Enrolled Student Mailing address (check and update via the Personal Information tab in AppalNet).

Lost Checks: If a refund check is lost or mailed to an invalid address, we must wait two weeks before issuing a replacement. Contact the Controller’s Office at 828-262-2110 for help.

Order of Refunds Based on Payment Type

Payments are applied to charges in the following order:

  1. Federal Parent PLUS Loans
  2. Other Federal Aid (by date posted)
  3. All Other Payments (Financial Aid, eCheck, Credit/Debit Cards, Checks, Cash, Wire—by date posted)

All payment types will be refunded to the student unless designated otherwise, such as in the case of Parent PLUS Loans.

Some payment types, such as Study Abroad deposits, may follow special processing rules. 

Title IV (Federal Aid) Refunds

Per U.S. Department of Education guidelines, Title IV funds (federal loans and grants) may only cover allowable institutional charges like tuition, required fees, meal plans, and on-campus housing. Charges like medical insurance, parking, or Express Account fees are not eligible.

If Title IV aid creates a refund, students are responsible for paying any uncovered charges within 30 days or by the invoice due date, whichever is earlier.

Parent PLUS Loan Refunds

When a Parent PLUS Loan is used:

  • It will be applied to eligible institutional charges first, regardless of when other aid is posted.
  • Any remaining credit will be refunded to the borrower (parent) if they elected to receive it.

Example 1:

  • Charges: $5,000 | Student Aid: $3,000 | Parent PLUS Loan: $5,500
  • PLUS Loan pays $5,000 first → $500 refunded to parent
  • Student aid ($3,000) refunded to student

Example 2:

  • Charges: $5,000 | Student Aid: $3,000 | Parent PLUS Loan: $1,000
  • PLUS Loan pays $1,000 first → Student aid pays $3,000 → $1,000 still owed

Example 3:

  • Charges: $5,000 | Student Aid: $5,000 | Parent PLUS Loan: $5,000
  • PLUS Loan replaces student aid to pay charges → $5,000 of student aid refunded to student

Withdrawals & Refunds

Withdrawing from the University

  • Managed by the Office of the University Registrar.
  • Full or partial refunds depend on withdrawal timing and eligibility.
  • Housing refunds follow the terms of your signed housing contract.
  • Meal account refunds are issued minus applicable service fees.

See the Withdrawal Policy for full details.

Refund Policy

A refund is defined as either:

  • Return of prepaid tuition/fees, or
  • Reduction in charges if tuition/fees have not yet been paid.

Students ineligible to enroll due to academics receive a full refund. Students withdrawing for personal reasons will receive a refund minus advance payments. Disciplinary withdrawals follow the normal refund schedule.

Students with financial aid should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid for an explanation of how their withdrawal may affect aid.

Withdrawal Refund Schedules

When a student withdraws from the University (i.e., formally notifies the Registrar's Office that they are no longer attending ANY classes), a refund will be made based on the date of notification.

Dropping Classes

  • During Drop/Add Period: 100% of the difference in tuition/fees is refunded if you drop below your original credit hour load.
  • After Drop/Add Period: No refund for dropping individual courses unless you fully withdraw.

Questions About Refunds?

Contact the Office of Student Accounts for general refund questions:
828-262-2113
studentaccounts@appstate.edu 

For aid-related refunds, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid:
828-262-2190
financialaid@appstate.edu

For instructions on how to set up your preferred refund method, check out our Tutorials.