Deposits & Refund Policies

Required Deposits

Admissions

All incoming students are required to make a nonrefundable deposit of $500 in accordance with the terms of the letter of admission to the University. This deposit will be credited to the student’s first semester billing.

Other Deposits

Other deposits may be required of students enrolled in specific courses or programs.

Credit & Refund Policies

Tuition & Room Fees

Tuition and room fees will be credited to accounts of students who give written notification of withdrawal from the University, subject to the conditions that 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 of tuition or room fees will be made after the midpoint of the term or semester. 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/Leave of Absence & Amount of Tuition & Room Fees Credit

• Prior to first day of classes: 100 percent credit.
• From first day of classes through the midpoint of the term or semester: The amount of credit issued will be reduced by two weeks of tuition and room fees for each week or partial week completed. (Please go here for specific dates on refund schedule.)
• After the midpoint of the term or semester: No credit will be issued.

Students may have to temporarily withdraw from Bucknell University due to accident and illness resulting in a loss of tuition payments. Certain insurance companies offer tuition refund plans as a way to help protect one's substantial financial investment in a college education. Bucknell encourages students and their families to investigate tuition insurance and consider whether coverage might be appropriate for them.

Student Fees

Student fees will be credited in full in the case of voluntary withdrawal, or voluntary or involuntary leave of absence before 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 also will be credited in full, and room fees will be credited based on the number of unused days.

Board Charges

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 that 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 percent credit” period will extend through the end of the last day of the formal drop/add period.

University Housing Damage Charges

The University holds resident students responsible for any unassigned loss, damage, repair or replacement of the furnishings, doors, windows, walls, and the condition of the room during the term of occupancy. Furthermore, because living in a University residence is a privilege accompanied by certain responsibilities associated with community living, resident students assume responsibility for any unassigned loss or damage to any property in the public area (lounges, hallways, bathrooms, etc.) within the community. The costs associated with communal damages can be viewed on myBucknell. However, individual room damages and unassigned damage occurring in communal areas are posted on a resident’s account at the conclusion of each semester.

Refunds

Credit balances appearing on the student’s B-bill account will be refunded in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Refunds will be issued when a credit balance actually exists on the student’s B-bill account.
• If the total Title IV, HEA program funds credited to your account exceed the amount of tuition, room and board, you may authorize Bucknell University in writing or electronically to pay other current charges that were incurred at Bucknell for educationally-related activities. These charges may include books, supplies, etc., which were incurred either before or within 14 days of the credit balance occurring.
• If the credit balance is a result of excess payments, the credit balance will be refunded electronically to the student's refund account in B-bill upon their online request through myBucknell.
• If a refund is not requested, the credit balance will remain on the account to help offset future charges.

Note: 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 included in its entirety later in the University Catalog. Questions concerning these guidelines should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid by telephone at 570-577-1331 or email finaid@bucknell.edu.

Financial Obligations

No student will be enrolled or graduated, and no student will be given a transcript of record until all accounts have been paid or satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Office of Bursar Services.

Accounts are due by the date specified on the B-bill and are subject to a late fee of 1% of the outstanding balance, each billing period, until the account is settled. 

A penalty fee of $25 will be charged for any payment made by check or online through B-bill if returned for insufficient funds. If any account is forwarded to our collection agency, the individual will also be responsible for paying any collection fees associated with the collection of this debt.

Bucknell University offers a Monthly Payment Plan administered by Nelnet Campus Commerce that is a budget plan that divides college costs into 10 consecutive monthly interest-free installments. Additional information about the plan can be found on the Financial Aid website under Financing Options, or to apply, you may contact Nelnet at 800-722-4867 or bucknell.afford.com. (Non-U.S. citizens also may apply for the payment plan.)