University Withdrawal Credit Policy

The distribution formula for the institutional refund to the Federal Student Financial Aid program will be calculated according to federal regulations. Any refund due will be issued within 45 days after the date that the university was first notified of the withdrawal. Examples of university refund policies are available upon request in Student Academic & Financial Services.

If an undergraduate student withdraws from the university

• prior to the start of the term, the university will credit 100% of the term charges. If eligible, all institutional aid/scholarships for that term will also be returned. 
• during the first and second week of the term, the university will credit 90% of the term charges. The New Student Fee, Student Health Insurance and International Student Services Fee (if applicable) are non-refundable. If eligible, all institutional aid/scholarships for that term will be adjusted to 10%.
• during the third or fourth week of the term, the university will credit 50% of the term charges. The New Student Fee, Student Health Insurance and International Student Services Fee (if applicable) are non-refundable. If eligible, all institutional aid/scholarships for that term will be adjusted to 50%.
• during the fifth or sixth week of the term, the university will credit 25% of the term charges. The New Student Fee, Student Health Insurance and International Student Services Fee (if applicable) are non-refundable. If eligible, all institutional aid/scholarships for that term will be adjusted to 75%.

After the sixth week of the term, students will be responsible for 100% of the term charges and will receive 100% of that term’s eligible institutional aid and scholarships.

If a graduate student withdraws from the university within a 16-week semester or an 8-week session within the semester 

• prior to the start of the semester and during the first and second week of the semester, Fall I or Fall II, Spring I or Spring II, or Summer I or Summer II, the university will credit 100% of all charges. If applicable, all financial aid will be returned.
• after the second week of the semester, Fall I or Fall II, Spring I or Spring II, or Summer I or Summer II, the student will be responsible for 100% of all charges. If applicable, financial aid will be adjusted based on federal guidelines.
• After the sixth week of the 16-week semester, students will be responsible for 100% of the semester charges and will receive 100% of that semester’s eligible institutional aid and scholarships.

If a graduate student withdraws from the university within a 16-week semester and is living on campus

• During the first and second week of the semester, the university will credit 90% of the semester’s room and meal charges.
• During the third or fourth week of the semester, the university will credit 50% of the semester’s room and meal charges.
• During the fifth or sixth week of the semester, the university will credit 25% of the semester’s room and meal charges.
• After the sixth week if the semester, students will be responsible for 100% of the semester’s room and meal charges.

Financial aid will be adjusted based on the Return of Title IV regulations.

Add/drop is defined as adding and dropping any number of courses but maintaining active registration in at least 1 other course in the term/semester. For non-online courses, students may add or drop a course prior to its second class meeting; however, if a student has attended a culinary/baking and pastry laboratory segment and does not drop a future segment by Tuesday of the first week of the term, full charges will be assessed. For online and hybrid courses, students may add a course by the first Saturday of the course session or drop by the second Saturday of the course session. An official add or drop must be completed via jwuLink or with Student Academic & Financial Services.

Whenever students participate in add/drop, their financial aid and account charges may be adjusted. Students are encouraged to visit or consult Student Academic & Financial Services to review the potential impact, especially if their enrollment status changes to or from part time/full time.

Please note: The add/drop period occurs during the first week of the term/semester, with the exception of online and internship courses which extend until the second week of the term/semester. During the first week of the term, the university will credit 100% of tuition for students that drop courses during this time.

University Enrollment Dispute

If a student leaves the university due to extenuating circumstances without officially withdrawing, they may submit a university enrollment dispute within 30 days after the end of the term in dispute. No withdrawal disputes will be considered after that time. The student must present supporting documentation that demonstrates serious and compelling reasons justifying the withdrawal, and extenuating circumstances justifying its retroactive nature. No adjustments to tuition and fees or financial aid will be made until the dispute is researched and either approved or denied. Decisions will be made within 10 business days and the student will receive notification via an email sent to the email address they provided on the dispute form.

Withdrawal Policy for Study Abroad Programs 

Students are held financially responsible for their commitment status to the Study Abroad program on the date listed below for the term in which the Study Abroad program starts. Any withdrawal from the university or Study Abroad after that date will result in Study Abroad late withdrawal penalties posted to the Johnson & Wales student's account.

Dates on which commitment status carries financial responsibility:

• June 1 for programs starting in fall term
• October 1 for programs starting in winter term
• December 15 for programs starting in spring term
• March 15 for programs starting in summer term

If a student withdraws prior to the date listed above, there are no financial penalties.

If a student withdraws after the date listed above, the student will be charged for a portion of the program cost. The amount that will be charged is based on the date of withdrawal as well as the program start date. Please refer to the Withdrawal/Fee Chart below for exact amounts: