Credit/refunds on Spring 2020 semester costs

Dear Students,

We know you have concerns about financial matters going forward and we want to make sure we provide the information you need to get through these serious and confusing times as well as plan for the future.  As a follow up to President Stanley’s March 19 email, and in response to the many questions and inquiries received from you and your families, we have compiled key information pertaining to refunds and credits for unused room and board fees.  

Credits and Refunds

We want you to know that we are working quickly to resolve the financial impact this transition to remote learning will have on a student’s unused campus housing, meals and fees for the remainder of the spring semester while taking into account students’ financial aid awards.

Students living on campus prior to the COVID-19 crisis will receive a refund or credit for housing fees and meal plan fees (if applicable) based on the proportionate time between when they leave campus housing -- or as cleared by Residence Life -- and the end of the spring term.

Students living off campus with meal plans will receive a refund or credit for the unused portion of their meal plans.

All students will receive prorated refunds or credits for certain other fees for services that have been discounted due to the COVID-19 emergency.  The calculation of the amount of the refund or credit is being determined for each of these fees. The fees eligible for a credit/refund include:

• Transportation fee
• Athletics fee
• Recreation and campus life fee
• Student activity fee
• The category of “Other Broad Based Fees” as appropriate and approved annually by SUNY System Administration

As soon as additional information is available, we will update you. Credits or refund approaches will be finalized as soon as possible and certainly before the end of the spring semester. We recognize that this is a difficult time; if you have a critical financial need please be in contact with the financial aid office at 315.312.2248 or financial.aid@oswego.edu.

Retrieving Belongings from Your Residence Hall

We want to assure you that your belongings are safe and secure. We are planning a time period in May when students will be able to return to campus to retrieve their belongings and we will do so per the directive of New York State, our local health department and SUNY Administration to limit population density on campus, and prevent large gatherings and congregation in the residence halls. As we get closer to a move-out date, the Office of Residence Life and Housing will send you an email that will guide you on how to complete a virtual checkout.

Tuition

SUNY Tuition payments cannot be refunded or credited back to you. It is SUNY’s expectation that all students will have the opportunity to complete their educational requirements.  SUNY Oswego will be transitioning from in-person classes to distance learning or other appropriate modalities, beginning March 23, so that students may continue to have their educational needs met for the spring 2020 semester.

Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Dean of Students' office at deanofstudents@oswego.edu. We also encourage you to visit Oswego’s COVID-19 website daily to remain current of this very fluid situation.  Thank you and stay safe.

Best Regards,

Jerri Howland, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Nicholas Lyons, Vice President for Administration and Finance