It’s not just classes that give you credits. Sometimes, something happens to cause a credit balance on your student account. This might be a result of:
- Excess financial aid
- Dropped courses
- Granted tuition disputes
Are you eligible for a refund?
IU Online students
If you’re taking online courses and currently reside in a state other than Indiana, email iuonline@iu.edu for state-specific online course refund policies.
Getting your refund
If you end up with a credit balance, you’ll be issued a refund. It’s usually processed within five business days after the credit is posted to your student account.
When you receive a refund will depend on whether you’ve set up direct deposit or will be receiving a check. (Credit card payments that result in a credit balance will be refunded to the credit card, and should appear within ten business days.)
Get your refund via direct deposit
With direct deposit, your refund will be deposited straight into your checking or savings account. You’ll get your money faster than if you wait for a check—usually within five business days after the processing date shown on your account.
Watch a direct deposit tutorial
Get a refund check in the mail
If you haven’t signed up for direct deposit, we’ll mail your check to your local address—so make sure you keep your address current. Mailed checks will usually arrive within 7–10 business days after the processing date shown on your account. If you don’t receive your refund check within 10 business days, you should issue a stop payment request so your refund can be re-sent to you.
How—and when—refunds are processed
Financial aid is normally credited to your account 10 days before the first day of classes, and we’ll start processing refunds immediately. Processing will take place every Friday.
Exceptions to this cycle will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
If you drop a course, you may be eligible for a refund of tuition and fees. The refund amount you’ll receive depends on the length of the course and when you withdraw. Be sure to check the official calendar for the deadlines for each refund amount.
| Refund amount | 9–16 week courses | 5–8 week courses | 2–4 week courses | <= 1 week courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% of course fees refunded | 1st week of classes | 1st week of classes | 2nd day of classes | 1st day of classes |
| 75% of course fees refunded | 2nd week of classes | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 50% of course fees refunded | 3rd week of classes | 2nd week of classes | 4th day of classes | 2nd day of classes |
| 25% of course fees refunded | 4th week of classes | N/A | N/A | N/A |
If dropping a course results in a financial aid refund, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships may need to determine whether the refund is appropriate or if your aid must be adjusted for compliance reasons.
