Financial Policies

Financial Policies

• Credit Balance Refund Policy

  Bucknell refunds student account credit balances in accordance with the following guidelines:

  • Students who have a credit balance on their billing account may be eligible for a refund. The University does not automatically issue refunds unless required under Title IV (federal aid exceeds allowable billing charges), or the student graduates or withdrawals from the University. If a student does not request a refund, the credit balance will remain on the student's account to offset future charges. 
  • To request a refund, students must use the official online refund request form. From within myBucknell, the form can be accessed in the B-bill section of myAccounts. Bucknell will no longer accept refund requests via e-mail or hard copy forms.   
  • Refunds are normally processed within two weeks from the submission of the online refund request form or after the drop/add period, whichever is later.
  • Credit balances that are the result of the Nelnet payment plan will not be refunded until all payments are received for the semester. Alternatively, the Nelnet plan may be adjusted to reduce the credit on the student account by contacting Nelnet directly
  • The quickest way for a student to receive their funds is to set up an eRefunds profile within B-bill, Bucknell's online billing service. Students can enroll online to receive their refunds directly deposited into their bank checking or savings account. This feature is not available to authorized users.
  • Actual refunds received may be less than the amount requested due to additional charges or changes in the student's financial aid package from the time the refund request is submitted until processed. There is no need to send another request.
  • Specific credit and refund guidelines exist for students receiving financial assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. This refund policy is available in its entirety in the University Catalog. Questions concerning these guidelines should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid by phone at 570-577-1331 or email finaid@bucknell.edu.
         

   

• Spring : Credit and Refund Policies, Spring 2026

  Tuition and room fees will be credited to the accounts of students who give written notification of withdrawal from the University, subject to the conditions which follow. The date of receipt of the written notice by the Office of the Registrar will be considered the official date of withdrawal. No credit for tuition or room fees will be made after the midpoint of the term or semester (see refund schedule below). No refund will be made if academic credit is earned. Prior to the midpoint of the term or semester, tuition and room fees will be credited as follows: 

  Timing of Withdrawal

  Amount of Tuition and Room Credit

  Prior to the first day of classes

  100% credit

  From the first day of classes through the midway point of the semester

  The amount of credit issued will be reduced by two weeks of tuition and room fees for each week, or a partial week completed (see refund schedule below)

  After the midpoint of the semester

  No credit will be issued

   

  If Withdrawal/Departure Occurs:	Refund:
  Prior to the first day of classes (Jan. 19, 2026)	100%
  Jan. 20—26, 2026	88%
  Jan. 27—Feb. 2, 2026	76%
  Feb. 3—9, 2026	63%
  Feb. 10—16, 2026	51%
  Feb. 17—23, 2026	36%
  Feb. 24—March 2, 2026	24%
  March 3—9, 2026	12%
  March 10, 2026 (end of the semester)	0%

  
  The student fees will be credited, in full, in the case of voluntary withdrawal prior to the first day of classes. No portion of the fees will be credited after classes begin.

  For students suspended or dismissed for disciplinary reasons, the University will not issue credit for tuition or room fees.

  Active duty withdrawal: Students who must withdraw because they are called to active duty and who receive no academic credit for the semester will receive a full tuition refund. If academic credit is awarded, the refund will be prorated according to the amount of that academic credit. The student fees will also be credited in full, and room fees will be credited based on the number of unused days.

  Board charges are credited on the basis of the unused portion of a board contract for all withdrawals, suspensions, and dismissals. Board charge credits are subject to a forfeit fee not to exceed $50.

  For off-campus or summer programs, there will be no credit for the cost of personal services, travel expenses, supplies, or services furnished by outside contractors, which have been used prior to withdrawal or for which no credit is available to the University.

  For students other than full-time undergraduate students, the "100% Credit" period will extend through the end of the last day of the formal drop/add period.

   

• Fall : Credit and Refund Policies, Fall 2025

  Tuition and room fees will be credited to the accounts of students who give written notification of withdrawal from the University, subject to the conditions which follow. The date of receipt of the written notice by the Office of the Registrar will be considered the official date of withdrawal. No credit for tuition or room fees will be made after the midpoint of the term or semester (see refund schedule below). No refund will be made if academic credit is earned. Prior to the midpoint of the term or semester, tuition and room fees will be credited as follows: 

   

  Timing of Withdrawal

  Amount of Tuition and Room Credit

  Prior to the first day of classes

  100% credit

  From the first day of classes through the midway point of the semester

  The amount of credit issued will be reduced by two weeks of tuition and room fees for each week, or a partial week completed (see refund schedule below)

  After the midpoint of the semester

  No credit will be issued

   

  If Withdrawal/Departure Occurs:	Refund:
  Prior to the first day of classes (Aug. 24, 2025)	100%
  Aug. 25–31, 2025	88%
  Sept. 1–7, 2025	76%
  Sept. 8–14, 2025	63%
  Sept. 15–21, 2025	51%
  Sept. 22–28, 2025	36%
  Sept. 29–Oct. 5, 2025	24%
  Oct. 6–12, 2025	12%
  Oct. 13, 2025 (end of the semester)	0%

  
  The student fees will be credited, in full, in the case of voluntary withdrawal prior to the first day of classes. No portion of the fees will be credited after classes begin.

  For students suspended or dismissed for disciplinary reasons, the University will not issue credit for tuition or room fees.

  Active duty withdrawal: Students who must withdraw because they are called to active duty and who receive no academic credit for the semester will receive a full tuition refund. If academic credit is awarded, the refund will be prorated according to the amount of that academic credit. The student fees will also be credited in full, and room fees will be credited based on the number of unused days.

  Board charges are credited on the basis of the unused portion of a board contract for all withdrawals, suspensions and dismissals. Board charge credits are subject to a forfeit fee not to exceed $50.

  For off-campus or summer programs, there will be no credit for the cost of personal services, travel expenses, supplies or services furnished by outside contractors, which have been used prior to withdrawal or for which no credit is available to the University.

  For students other than full-time undergraduate students, the "100% Credit" period will extend through the end of the last day of the formal drop/add period.