Refunds

Tuition Refund Policy

By registering for classes students agree to pay all applicable tuition and fees unless enrollment is officially cancelled during the 100% refund period. Refunds are contingent upon payment in full of tuition and fees.

• Tuition and fees are cancelled according to the tuition cancellation policy specified in Tuition & Fee Regulations section 8.1.
• All refunds are less any amounts owed to the university and are subject to payment holding periods.

Return of Department of Defense Tuition Assistance (TA) Benefit

If the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance (TA) benefit is used to pay for service members tuition and fees and the service member withdraws from a class prior to completing 60 percent of the class, the Department of Defense requires that Wayne State University return any unearned TA funds to the department based on the percentage of the course has been completed. Service members may owe a portion of the tuition to WSU and a portion to the military branch. If the service member officially withdraws from the course, the amount of unearned TA funds is calculated from the date of the withdrawal.

• TA eligibility is determined based on the following formula:
• The percent of TA earned equals the days completed before withdrawal or last participation divided by the total number of days of the course.

Student Refunds

A student refund is generated when refundable financial aid or other payments exceed tuition, fees and any residential housing charges.

Stop Payments

Stop payments may be requested for refund checks that have not been received 14 days after the check issue date. The student (or parent borrower for PLUS Loan proceeds) will need to contact the Student Accounts Receivable Office by telephone (313) 577-3653 or in person to request the issuance of a new refund.

Stale Dated Checks

Refund checks that are not cashed within 90 days of issuance are not valid. These checks will have a stop payment placed and will no longer be eligible for cashing. The uncashed funds will be processed to the student account in the following order:

1. Applied to a current or past due balance (within the same award year)
2. Reissued to payee
3. Applied to borrower's loan, if applicable (Federal Direct Loans or Perkins) or returned to the funding source
4. Placed in forfeiture holding account to escheat to the State.

Refunds Frequently Asked Questions

• How are refunds from WSU delivered to students?

  Wayne State University issues refunds to students' accounts once a week. Refunds can be released in two ways:

  1. Direct deposit into an existing U.S. checking or savings account
  2. Paper check mailed to the address on file with WSU

  Students may enroll in direct deposit by logging into Academica, selecting Student Resources, Financial Records and Direct Deposit Student Refund then following the instructions. The Direct Deposit portal is available Monday – Thursday from 9a.m.-5p.m. Please be advised that online direct deposit enrollment includes a bank account authentication process. Only bank accounts that can be authenticated are permitted for online direct deposit enrollment.

  Students must keep their address current, as checks are mailed to the most current active mailing address in Academica.

  Accounts may be viewed in Academica to determine if a refund has been issued.

  Please Note: Refund checks are not available for pickup.

  It is very important that students keep their mailing address current, since an active mailing address is required to issue any refund. Students can change and/or view address information in WSU Academica.

• Can my refund be deposited into the account of my choice?

  Please be advised that only authenticatable bank accounts are permitted for online direct deposit enrollment. If your financial account of choice does not pass authentication requirements during online enrollment, you may visit Student Accounts Receivable on the 1st floor of the University Welcome Center and complete a bank authorization form. A valid government issued ID must be presented to complete your bank authorization. Only U.S. domestic bank accounts can be used for student refund direct deposit.

• What if I paid with cash or check and my account is over paid?

  If you are eligible for a refund due to an over payment on your student account, the funds can be sent to you by direct deposit. Refunds from cash or check overpayments are issued starting on the Monday following the 100 percent add/drop period for the specified semester.

  Note: If you paid with a personal check, the clearing period is 30 business days after the check is presented. Refunds will be issued after the check clearing period.