Refunds

Student eligibility for tuition and fee refunds and the refund percentage are based upon established dates and deadlines each term. These are publicized in the appropriate term’s schedule of classes publication and on the college’s web site (www.howardcc.edu/pay).

• Cancelled classes– A refund will automatically be processed for students who have paid for a cancelled class. If a student registers for another class to replace the cancelled class prior to the processing of the refund, the student’s balance will be applied toward payment of the added class. Any remaining balance will be refunded; likewise, the student will be billed for any additional charges.
• Officially dropping classes– As stated above, students are responsible for officially dropping classes in order to avoid tuition and fee charges and receive the appropriate refund. Students who never attend or initially attend, but stop, are responsible for course costs unless they have officially dropped within the official refund period. The refund percentage is dependent upon when in the refund period the official drop occurred.
• Fall and spring semesters (15 week semesters)–During 15 week classes, students are eligible for refunds as follows:
  • 100% refund eligibility– A 100% refund of tuition, the consolidated fee and course fees is issued to students who officially drop classes by the end of the first week of classes. (This does not include the application fee.)
  • 75% refund eligibility– A 75% refund of tuition and the consolidated fee only (no course fees) is issued to students who officially drop classes by the end of the second week of classes.
  • 50% refund– A 50% refund of tuition and the consolidated fee only (no course fees) is issued to students who officially drop classes by the end of the third week of classes.

After the end of the third week of fall and spring 15 week classes, students are not eligible for refunds. The timing of refunds is shorter for classes that meet less than 15 weeks.

• Summer, Winter and Variable Time Sessions– During these shorter terms, students are eligible for refunds only during the first few days of the session. Students are eligible for 100%, 75% or 50% refunds according to the refund schedule published for these sessions in the appropriate schedule of classes and online (www.howardcc.edu/pay).
• Deployed Military– Members of the military, including active-duty military, reservists, and national guardsmen, who receive orders to deploy during an academic term, are eligible to receive 100% tuition, fees, and book refunds or request an incomplete grade. Specific procedures must be followed. More information is available by contacting the Office of Records, Registration and Veterans’ Affairs. Students receiving financial aid or scholarships should contact Financial Aid Services.
• Emergency Workers– Emergency workers undergoing a change in assignment, hours or location as a result of a national emergency are eligible to receive 100 percent tuition, fees, and book refunds or request an incomplete grade. More information is available contacting the Office of Records, Registration and Veterans’ Affairs. Students receiving financial aid or scholarships should contact Financial Aid Services.

Refund method– The college has partnered with Higher One, a financial services company focused solely on higher education, to provide electronic refund services to students. Financial aid and tuition refunds are disbursed to credit and certain noncredit students via the refund choice selected by students. Students should visit www.hccconnectcard.com to choose their preferred method of refund delivery using the information included with the HCC Connect card they will receive in the mail. This electronic refund service provides students with faster access to their refunds as well as more control over how and where their refunds are delivered. For more information on this refund service, please visit www.hccconnectcard.com, email hccconnectcard@howardcc.edu, call 443-518-1862, or stop by the Finance Office (RCF-201) or the Cashier’s Office (RCF-212).