Overview: About Student Refunds
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Tuition Refunds
If a student withdraws from the University before completing 60 percent of a quarterly term, they are eligible to receive a prorated refund. The Office of the University Registrar publishes the daily tuition refund schedule which specifies the daily per diem rate charged to students for the days they attended prior to withdrawing. A refund will be issued to the student for the difference between the quarterly tuition rate and the daily per diem rate times the actual days attended. Scholarship or loan funds are deducted from the refund and returned to the source of those funds.
To review published per diem rates by student classification and program of study and to check the last day when students are eligible to receive refunds each quarter, see the Tuition Refund Schedule on the Office of the University Registrars web site.
Elective insurance plans can extend Stanford's standard tuition refund policy. For more information, see Tuition Insurance Plans in the Parents section of this web site.
Account Credits and Refunds
If a student’s account shows a credit balance, the student may request a refund. Refunds are always issued to the student, even when the tuition has been paid by an Authorized Payer. Refunds are either mailed to the student's current mailing address on record, or deposited electronically into the student's checking or savings account, providing the student has opted for Online Direct Deposit.
Refunds are only processed to student accounts. Exceptions are made for Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS Loans).
- Refunds for undergraduate students are processed beginning one week after classes commence.
- Refunds for graduate students are processed after the Study List submission deadline.
For questions about a refund, please call 650-723-7772, Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM PST, or submit a HelpSU ticket.
Note: Some charges may still be present on the University bill even though refund checks were sent. Students are responsible for reviewing their bill and ensuring that all charges are paid by the due date.