Students who receive federal financial aid (Stafford loans, PLUS loans, Perkins loans, PELL grants, and SEOG grants) could owe the College a substantial amount of money if they withdraw during the first ten weeks of the semester.
Based on federal financial aid regulations, students must "earn" their aid based upon the percentage of time spent in attendance during the semester. If a student withdraws during the third week of the semester (having completed approximately 20% of the semester), that student will only be eligible for approximately 20% of the amount of their finalized federal aid.
According to SUNY policy, however, that student would also owe 50% of their tuition and fees (see tuition and liability schedule). Students who withdraw should therefore contact the Office of Student Accounts to determine how much of their federal aid they will have to repay to the school, and how much of their semester charges will have to be paid using personal funds.
The amount that is owed when a student withdraws could be substantially higher than the amount that was owed before the student withdrew, since much of the aid that would have been used to pay the student invoice will have to be returned to the federal aid program. It is possible that some students may owe an additional thousand dollars or more if they withdraw, depending on the amount of federal aid they were scheduled to receive and the timing of their withdrawals. Please contact the Office of Student Accounts via e-mail at stuacct@newpaltz.edu if you have any questions about your withdrawal!
Liability for Semester Charges
Pre-Enrollment Deposit
The pre-enrollment deposit may be refunded if the Office of Student Accounts receives a written request by the following dates:
For the Summer or Fall Semester......... May 1 preceding the start of the semester
For the Spring Semester...................... November 1 preceding the start of the semester.
OR, if acceptance to the College is received after these dates, requests for refunds must be received within 30 days of the date of acceptance. In no case will refunds be considered if requests for such refunds are received after the official first day of classes of the semester for which original application for admission was made.
Advance Room Deposit
May be refunded if written request for refund is received in the Office of Student Accounts as follows:
For the Fall Semester.........by July 1 preceding the start of the semester
For the Spring Semester......................by November 1 preceding the start of the semester.
OR (for new students) within 30 days of notification of acceptance, whichever is later.
If a request is received later than the latest applicable date, the refund may still be granted if the student a) withdraws to enter military service, or b) the student withdraws due to circumstances beyond their control as certified and approved by the College President or designee.
NOTE: Once admission has been deferred from one semester to the next, neither the pre-admission deposit nor the advance room deposit may later be refunded.
Tuition
A student who is permitted to cancel their registration after the semester begins, may be eligible for a reduction in their tuition liability. View the tuition liability schedule for dates and percentages.
FAILURE TO ATTEND CLASS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASS AND DOES NOT RELIEVE THE STUDENT OF FINANCIAL LIABILITY.
For more information on course withdrawal see Records & Registration.
Undergraduate students leaving school, either temporarily or permanently, must complete the appropriate paperwork. This paperwork may require signatures from various offices and must be submitted to the Office of Academic Advising (WSB 03D) upon completion. Students who wish to return in a semester or two must complete a "Leave of Absence" form. Students who are leaving permanently must complete a "Withdrawal from College" form. Refunds are based on the date that the forms are processed by the Office of Student Accounts. A student is considered to be enrolled and fully liable for tuition and all fees until the withdrawal form is filed and processed. Graduate students need only fill out a withdrawal form.
A student who is dismissed for disciplinary reasons prior to the end of an academic term shall be liable for all tuition and room charges due for that term.
College Fee
The College Fee is an administrative fee established by SUNY and charged to all registered students at a per credit rate. This fee is not refundable beginning the official first day of classes.
Student Services Fee
The student Services Fee is a consolidated fee representing the following mandatory fees billed at a per credit rate unless otherwise noted:
- Activity Fee - is a mandatory fee for all students. It is billed to registered students, collected by the Office of Student Accounts, and administered by the New Paltz Student Association.
- Athletic Fee - is a mandatory fee assessed by the College to support the athletic program.
- Health Services Fee - is a mandatory fee approved by SUNY to assist in the support of the College Health Center. It is billed to all registered students who attend courses on campus. It is NOT health insurance and may not be waived.
- Technology Fee - is a mandatory fee established by the College and supported by SUNY. It is billed to all registered students to address the technological needs of our computing and information systems. The fee is billed at a flat rate to all students.
Alumni Fee
The Student Alumni fee is reinvested 100% in programs that directly benefit New Paltz students. Your contribution helps fund Presidential Scholarships, outside speakers, events, and activities across campus. If you would like to receive a tax contribution receipt for this voluntary fee, please contact the Development Office at 845-257-3240.
Lab Fees
Certain courses have been approved to charge lab fees.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance is billed to all students who are enrolled in at least 12 credits. This is a conditional fee which can ONLY be waived upon submission of proof that the student has his or her own health insurance coverage, or is covered under someone else's policy. The waiver form must be completed and returned no later than the second week of the semester. Waiver requests received after that week can not be honored.
Note: International students and students enrolled in a SUNY Study Abroad Program can only apply for a Health Insurance Waiver through the Center for International Programs.
International Student/Overseas Program Health Insurance
SUNY Administrative Policy requires that all international students attending any SUNY campus or any student enrolled in a SUNY Study Abroad program must have this insurance coverage. Students who believe they have comparable coverage may apply for a waiver through the Center for International Programs. Waivers must be submitted no later than the second week of the semester.
Room Rent
Room Rent is billed to all students living on campus.
Meal Plan
All students living on campus MUST have a meal plan. Please refer to Campus Auxilary Services regarding the various meal plans.
Other Fees
Late Registration/Add: A student may register for the first time ($40 fee) or add a course ($20 fee) with the written permission of the instructor and department chair PI/PC.
Late Penalties may be assessed on a student's account when payment or payment arrangements have not been made by the stated due date on the invoice.
Please note: Fees are subject to change without notice.
Special Circumstances
Notwithstanding any other provision for refund, when a student has withdrawn through circumstances beyond the student's control, under conditions in which the denial of refund would cause undue hardship, the campus president or designee may in his/her discretion determine that no liability for tuition has been incurred by the student, provided the student has not completed more than one-half of the term and has not received or will not receive academic credit for the term. Such action, including the reason therefore, shall be in writing and signed by the president or designee and retained by the campus.
All of these policies are subject to change without notice. Questions about the current refund policies should be directed to the Office of Student Accounts, HAB 204, (845) 257-3150.
