Revised: October 1, 2015; October 1, 2022; July 19, 2023

The refund policy is set by the North Carolina General Assembly and is subject to change by its actions. A pre-registered curriculum student who officially drops one or more classes prior to the first day of the semester will be eligible for a one hundred percent (100%) tuition refund. The student activity and technology fee will also be refunded if the student drops all classes prior to the first day of the semester. Thereafter, a refund of seventy-five percent (75%) of only the tuition will be made through the ten percent (10%) date of the semester. Students do not qualify for a refund of fees after the one hundred percent (100%) date. All tuition will be refunded if a class is canceled. The 100% and 75% dates are published on or attached to the back of the schedule form and are posted online at www.sandhills.edu.   

Refunds will be processed within four weeks of the 10% date. Students should ensure that their address is correct with the Admissions Office so that they receive their refund check in a timely manner. Payments made by credit card will be refunded directly to the credit card account on file in the Business Office. 

Refund Policies for Financial Aid Students Who Withdraw from Courses 

North Carolina Policy 

If a student receives North Carolina grant aid and drops all of his or her classes, a State refund calculation must be performed to determine how much aid the student has earned. The earned amount is determined by calculating the number of class days prior to the date of withdrawal. The unearned portion must be returned. If a student is withdrawn after the 35% date, they have earned 100% of their State funds. This may require repayment by the student of all or part of any State money that the student received. The return of State funds required by this policy will be applied in the following order up to the maximum amount of funds disbursed from each program: 

1. North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship Program (NCELS); 
2. North Carolina Community College Grant 
3. Longleaf Commitment Grant (NCLCG) 

Federal Refund Policy 

The Federal Refund Policy applies to all students receiving federal financial aid funds, including those who qualify for the state refund policy mentioned above. This policy requires the school to determine the amount of Title IV aid a student has earned. The earned amount is determined by calculating the number of class days prior to the date of withdrawal. The unearned portion must be returned. If a student is withdrawn after the 60% date, they have earned 100% of their Federal funds. This may require repayment by the student of all or part of any federal money that the student received. 

Refunds will be allocated by law according to the following order: 

Grants: Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Iraq/Afghan Service Grant  

Students may obtain further information regarding these refund policies and refund calculations from the Financial Aid Office located in Stone Hall.  

Students are responsible for payment on classes from which they do not officially withdraw. 

Military Refund Policy

Upon request of the student, the College shall:

1. Grant a full refund of tuition and registration fees to military reserve and National Guard personnel called to active duty or active duty personnel who have received temporary or permanent reassignments as a result of military operations that make it impossible for them to complete their course requirements; and
2. Buy back textbooks through the Colleges' bookstore operations to the extent allowable under the College’s buy back procedures.
3. The College shall use distance learning technologies and other educational methodologies, to the extent possible as determined by the college, to help active duty military students, under the guidance of faculty and administrative staff, complete their course requirements.

 

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