Institutional Refund Policy

Students are advised that Refund calculations are required in the following circumstances: The calculation is made when the student withdraws or takes an Unapproved Leave of Absence.

Notice of Withdrawal
Withdrawals include academic dismissal, academic disqualification, and leaving the institution without proper notification.
Approved Leave of Absence
All requests for a Leave of Absence must be submitted in writing to the Student Advisement Office. An Approved Leave of Absence occurs when the student leaves at the end of an academic quarter and returns at the beginning of an academic quarter after an absence of exactly one quarter. Students are required to provide a written, signed and dated request for a leave of absence prior to the leave. Also, the student must not have taken another leave within a 12-month period.
Calculation of Refunds
Refunds are calculated by using the last recorded date of attendance (LDA). All dates are subject to verification by college officials.
Examples
Shown below are examples of the terms of tuition refunds for nine and twelve-month contracts. Examples for other lengths of contracts are available from the Admissions Advisors.
For 9 month Contracts For 12 month Contracts Percentage Refunded
Prior to 1st day
of class 		Prior to 1st day
of class 		100% of entire tuition
(except for the application fees)
Week 1-2 Week 1-3 90% of entire tuition. 1/3 of book costs*
Week 3-4 Week 4-5 80% of entire tuition. 1/3 of book costs*
Week 5-7 Week 6-9 70% of entire tuition. 1/3 of book costs*
Week 8-11 Week 10-12 55% of entire tuition. 1/3 of book costs*
Week 12-16 Week 13-22 30% of entire tuition. 1/3 of book costs*
Week 17-33 Week 23-44 No refund of tuition or book costs

Application Fees

Application fees, including out-of-state fees, international fees, and housing placement fees, are non-refundable. All other fees are non-refundable after the student has attended one day of class.

Books, Equipment and Supplies

Students will be charged for all books, equipment and supplies which are received. Once the student has attended two quarters, no refund will be made. Students withdrawing from FIDM may return unused and in perfect condition books, equipment and/or supplies for a full refund, subject to a 25% restocking charge. They must be returned by appointment to the College Services Office within 20 days from the student's LDA. Used items are non - refundable.

Contract Length

The contract length shall determine the number of weeks in the calculation. For contracts of three months or less, or any addendum to a contract, no refund will be made after the student has attended a class session. The first and last days of school used in the calculation are published in the FIDM School Calendar. Each week in the calculation begins on the same day of the week as the first day of the quarter.

Debit Balance

In some instances, the Refund Policy may result in the student owing FIDM monies. The student agrees that any monies owed, including those as a result of any FIDM Institutional Refund and/or Return of Title IV Funds calculations are payable to FIDM within 30 days.

Credit Balance

If the student has a credit balance on their account, including after any FIDM Institutional Refund and/or Return of Title IV Funds calculations, the funds will be returned to the original source in the following order, according to the rules set forth by the source:

  1. FIDM Scholarship Programs
  2. FIDM Scholarship Foundation
  3. Cal Grant Programs
  4. Private Loan Programs
  5. Private Scholarship Programs
  6. The student, by credit to charge card(s) or by check as applicable. If the amount to be reimbursed to the student and/or the financial aid programs is less than or equal to $25.00, this amount will be retained by FIDM and no reimbursement of funds will be made.

Questions?

Additional examples and further assistance are available from the Admissions Advisors and the Fiscal Counselors in the Student Financial Services office.