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 (howardcc.edu/dates). Students can also view the refund deadlines for their classes in the student portal.

• 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) – Students are eligible for refunds of 15-week sections 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.)
  • 50% refund eligibility – 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 second week of classes.

After the end of the second 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 summer, winter, and other variable time sessions, students are eligible for graduated refunds during the first few days of the section. During this period, students are eligible for 100% of all tuition, the consolidated fee, and course fees, or 50% of tuition and consolidated fees only. After the posted refund period for these sections, students are not eligible for refunds. See howardcc.edu/dates for deadline information.
• 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 incomplete grade(s) if eligible. 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% tuition, fees, and book refunds or request incomplete grade(s). 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.

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 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. Balances paid by credit card are refunded back to the respective credit card. 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).