Office of Student Financial Services

withdrawal & College Refund Policy

Please note that this information applies to the College Refund Policy, not to refunds from overpayments on an account. Please click here for information on student refunds.

This Federal Policy applies to all enrolled students at MCLA, who withdraw from the College whether or not they are recipients of financial aid. The policy pertains to all tuition, room, board, fees, and other charges by the College; exceptions include non-refundable housing, orientation, and admissions deposits, when applicable. 

If you withdraw from the College before the first day of classes (official opening), you receive a 100% refund. All refunds after the start of school are pro-rated up to the 60% point of the semester. NO refunds are made after the 60% point. Pro-rated refunds are calculated by determining the percentage of the semester completed, up to and including the official withdrawal date.

Based on this calculation, the college determines the amount of unearned financial aid and is responsible for returning any portion necessary to the appropriate financial aid programs. Repayment is made to the federal programs in the following order: Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Plus Loan, Federal Pell Grant, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Any remaining credit balances are returned to the state, and then to institutional and student resources.

If you withdraw, you could owe a balance to MCLA for federal aid; you must pay this balance.

Leave of Absence: A leave of absence is considered a withdrawal for Financial Aid purposes. Your status will be reported to the National Student Loan Clearinghouse and any grace period you are entitled to will begin. Please keep in mind that student loan payments may begin. This will depend on the length of your leave.

Institutional Aid Refund Policy

The following Institutional Refund Policy is a reference for all students withdrawing from the University. The information below reflects the percentage of tuition and fees the student will be charged dependent on the official date of withdrawal. Please note: if you are a residential student, your charges for room and board are dependent on the date you move off campus and are not reflected of the below percentages. 

Students that are withdrawn through the administration for judicial matters may be ineligible to receive any refund for tuition, fees and/or room and board. 

If a student is using Financial Aid against their total charges, please refer to the Federal Refund Policy above.

Week of Semester   Tuition and Fees
0*   100%
1**   90%
2-3   50%
4-7   25%
8+   0%


*Prior to the start of classes.

**Prior to the end of the add/drop period.

Tuition Insurance

As a supplement to the Withdrawal and College Refund Policy, MCLA is proud to offer tuition insurance through GradGuard for the 2023-2024 academic year. This optional coverage expands the scope of our refund policy by ensuring reimbursement for tuition, room, board and other fees for covered illness/injury or mental health condition withdrawals at any time during the semester. The deadline to apply is the day before the first day of classes each semester.

Learn more about Tuition Insurance here, at GradGuard.com, or by calling 1-877-794-6603.