Credit Balances & Refunds

Student Accounts - Credit Balances & Refunds

A credit balance is created when the payments and/or financial aid disbursements exceed the student account charges. Students with a credit balance can choose to keep the credit on their student account to be applied to a future balance or to have the credit refunded to them. Credit created from Anticipated/Pending Aid (aid that has not yet been disbursed) does not qualify for a refund.

After the Add/Drop period (10^th class day), we begin to review refund requests to confirm student refund eligibility. Once confirmed, Student Accounts will begin to process the refunds according to the preferences of each student account.

Refunds can be delivered in two different ways:

1. Direct Deposit (Preferred method) - Enroll in Direct Deposit by submitting the direct deposit form with supporting documentation to Pendleton Business Office.
2. Check - If you don’t enroll in direct deposit, your refund check will be sent to the Campus Mailroom during the academic year for pick up or to your permanent mailing address on file during the break. Ensure your mailing address is correct in your Student Portal.

Note: Direct deposits can take 3-5 business days before the funds credit your personal account. Mailed checks can take up to 10 business days before you receive a check.

Credit Balances Due to Overpayment

If a student account has a credit balance that is not the result of financial aid, the student must request a refund if one is desired. Otherwise, the credit balance will remain on the student’s account and be applied to future charges. Students may request a refund by completing the Credit Balance Refund request form online on the Student Portal:

1. Click on “My Student Account”
2. Go to the drop-down menu to the right of the website.
3. Click on the “Credit Balance Refund” form.

Credit Balances Due to Title IV Programs

If the College determines that student federal aid funds created a credit balance based on the weekly aid disbursement schedule, the College pays the credit balance amount automatically to the student according to the method set up by the student, either check or direct deposit (EFT).

If the College determines that Parent PLUS Loan funds created a credit balance, the College pays the credit balance amount automatically to the parent by check. The credit balance can be paid to the student if indicated on the loan application, in that case, the refund would be issued according to the method set up by the student, either check or direct deposit (EFT).

Please keep in mind the following points:

• If your account shows a credit balance but you have not been charged all of your fees, you may not be eligible for a refund. This might happen if you recently enrolled for on-campus housing or a meal plan, and these fees have not yet been posted.
• If you take a leave of absence, you may not qualify for a refund once your charges and financial aid have been adjusted. If you receive a refund before you take a leave of absence, you may be required to pay back all or a portion of your refund.
• If you reduce your course load (to part-time), you may not qualify for a refund once your charges and financial aid have been adjusted. If you receive a refund before you reduce your course load, you may be required to pay back all or a portion of your refund.