Policies & Procedures

Refunds from Credit Balances and Withdrawals

Credit balances due to overpayment will be automatically refunded to the student.

Tips on ensuring auto-refund success:

  • Set up direct deposit to allow your refund to be deposited to your U.S. checking or savings account.
  • Ensure your permanent address is up to date.

Credit Card Payments: In the event a credit card was used to pay any student charges, credit balances in the student’s account will first be applied to the credit card used, with any remaining balance paid to the student.

General Information

Tuition credits are granted based on the date of the official withdrawal processed by the Office of the University Registrar. Non-attendance does not constitute official withdrawal. Credit policies vary according to the duration of the course. Typical tuition adjustments are made according to the schedules shown below. The first week of class is the week containing the “classes begin” date listed in the academic calendar.

Payment options and credit policies vary for some courses (4-week, 5-week, and 6-week intensives; workshops; and special sequence courses) and special programs. If you are unsure about a course you are taking, contact the Office of Student Accounts.

Information on the University’s Emergency Leave of Absence policy is located in the Undergraduate Catalog in the “Academic Policies and Procedures” section.

Diplomas will not be released until all financial obligations to the university have been met. All rates are subject to revision at the discretion of Northeastern University’s Board of Trustees.

For information regarding policies that effect eligibility for federal grants and loans upon your withdrawal or adjustment to course enrollment, please see withdrawal policy in the section above.

View refund information for California residents.

Tuition Adjustments for Dropping a Course

If a student drops one or more courses, they are eligible for a full reversal of the course tuition as long as the course(s) were dropped before the course drop deadline and the student receives an approved Petition to Reduce Course Load. Once the deadline to drop a course without a W grade passes, the student is responsible for 100 % of tuition and associated charges—no partial refunds will be provided. Refer to the academic calendar for course registration dates. Please see the Undergraduate Financial Aid page for information on how financial aid will be impacted for withdrawing from or dropping a course. 

Credit balances will be refunded to the student unless otherwise directed by the student or the bill payer. Note the following exceptions: 

  • Payment plans, Parent PLUS Loans, and supplemental loans: Credit balances created from Parent PLUS Loans, supplemental loans, or overpayment to the monthly payment plan will be refunded to the bill payer on record unless a completed Refund Authorization form, stating that funds may be released directly to the student, is received from that borrower. Please note that anticipated credits are funds that have not been received by the university and, therefore, cannot be refunded. 
  • International payments: Credit balances created from an international payment must be returned to the originating bank by the payment method used. 

Tuition Adjustments for Official Complete Withdrawal from the University

If a student submits an official withdrawal from the university, they may be eligible for a tuition adjustment based on the official withdrawal date recorded.Note that nonattendance does not constitute official withdrawal. 

Tuition adjustments vary according to the duration of the course.  

Refund Schedule – Semester Calendar Programs

Full Term Half Term Thirds First Semester JD Students
Before Term 100% 100% 100% 80%
Week 1 100% 100% 0% 60%
Week 2 100% 0% 0% 40%
Week 3 0% 0% 0% 20%
Week 4 0% 0% 0% 0%

Refund Schedule – Quarter Calendar Programs

Before Term 100%
12-Week quarters
Week 1 100%
Week 2 100%
Week 3 and thereafter 0%
6-8-Week quarters
Week 1 100%
Week 2 100%
Week 3 and thereafter 0%
4-Week quarters
Week 1 100%
Week 2 0%
1-week or less quarters
Week 1 100% (First Day only)
Week 2 0%

Important note: Non-attendance does not constitute dropping a course. A student must submit a formal drop request in order to be eligible for a refund.

School of Law

Refunds are granted only on the basis of a formal withdrawal from the JD program; non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal. Seat deposits are nonrefundable. The impact of withdrawing from the JD program on other types of billing and financial aid depends upon the timing of a student’s formal withdrawal. Tuition refunds are granted in accordance with the following schedule:

Tuition Refunds 2021–2022 Academic Year* and Thereafter (Upper-Level Students)

Week 1 through 3 – 100% refund of tuition
Week 4 – 60% refund of tuition
Week 5 – 40% refund of tuition
After Week 5 – no refund of tuition

Financial aid will be adjusted for any withdrawal based upon the withdrawal date and the type of financial aid. Visit the School of Law website for additional information.

*Note: Northeastern University School of Law academic years begin with the summer term.

Residence rate adjustments are made by Housing & Residential Life. For specific rate adjustments, refer to the Residence Hall and Dining License Agreement on their website.