University Refund Policy

Overview: The University of Arkansas (U of A) will comply with all applicable state and federal regulations governing the administration of refunds on student accounts. The refund guidelines that follow are established to ensure the ethical, professional, and timely delivery of student account refunds resulting from:

  • Federal financial aid disbursement that exceeds the allowable or authorized charges; or,
  • An overpayment of charges by a third party sponsor or scholarship donor; or,
  • A direct payment by cash, check or credit card which exceeds the total charges on that account.

I. Federal Financial Aid

It is the policy of the University of Arkansas to refund the credit from Federal financial aid to the student in a timely manner. The Financial Aid office will begin posting Federal aid to your student account 10 days prior to the start of each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). Credit balances resulting from Federal financial aid are refunded after a careful review of the student's account and eligibility for their respective aid. If the student is entitled to the credit balance, the refund is made to the student within 14 days as required by Federal regulations.

Student account overpayments resulting from Federal aid may be refunded electronically via direct deposit into a specified bank account or by mail with a paper check.

Students must first select a refund preference by logging into UAConnect.

  1. Log into https://uaconnect.uark.edu using your Username and Password.
  2. Click on the Treasurer's Office tile and and click the Refunding Options link.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions for selecting your refund preference.
  4. If an overpayment is made to your account and you are entitled to a refund, you will be notified by email when the refund is processed.

The University, in compliance with federal regulations, must obtain voluntary authorization from the student to apply excess federal financial aid funds to pay for charges other than current term tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board contracted by the University. By granting permission to the University, the student is permitting these funds to be applied to charges related to current term educationally related goods and services and up to $200 of prior term tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board contracted by the University, and educationally related goods and services.

To grant the University permission please do the following:

  1. Log into https://uaconnect.uark.edu using your Username and Password.
  2. From the Student Homepage, click on the Notifications tile.
  3. Click on the To Do's menu item and select the Title IV Federal Financial Aid task.
  4. Complete the task by selecting Accept/Decline and SAVE. Then select Next and Finish to authenticate your selection.

Once the Title IV task is completed, it is valid for the duration of your career.

Withdrawals and Title IV Funds - return of Federal Title IV funds will be distributed according to statutory regulations.

Federal financial aid recipients who withdraw before 60% of the semester is completed will also be required to return a portion of the Federal financial aid received. For further information, please consult the Office of Financial Aid.

Federal Regulation requires the University of Arkansas to perform a Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculation when students receiving federal student aid officially or unofficially withdraw from all courses during a semester.

The University will return to the appropriate Federal financial aid programs funds awarded to the student for the portion of the semester or period of enrollment that the student did not attend (unearned portion of aid). The University must calculate the amount of the funds that were unearned, up through the 60% point in each payment period or period of enrollment. The student will be responsible for repaying any unearned aid disbursed to the student.

A withdrawn student will be notified in writing within 45 days from the date of determination regarding their obligation (if any) to the Department of Education. In some cases, a student who receives financial aid and withdraws will owe a balance to the University and may be required to repay funds to the U.S. Department of Education.

Worksheets/formulas provided by the U.S. Department of Education will be used to determine the amounts and order of return. If a student is eligible to receive a credit amount, the student will be notified and allowed 45 days from the date of determination to return the funds to the Treasurer’s Office of the University for deposit into the Federal programs accounts. If the student does not return the amount owed within the 45-day period, the amount of overpayment will be reported to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) via the National Student Loan Database (NSLDS), and the student will be referred to the DOE for resolution of the debt. Unearned aid will be refunded to the appropriate program(s), if necessary, based on these regulations.

II. Cash, Check or Debit Card Payments

A credit balance resulting from a direct payment on a student account that exceeds the total of charges on that account will be refunded to the account holder. If a credit balance on a university account is the result of an overpayment by check, the refund will be processed after sufficient time has elapsed to allow for the original check to clear the bank. Student refunds are either sent electronically, via direct deposit to a bank account, or as a paper check in the mail.

III. Credit Card Payments

A credit balance resulting from a direct payment on an account that exceeds the total of charges on that account will be refunded directly to the credit card number that was used in payment.

IV. Scholarships

Funds received from scholarships will be used to pay tuition, fees, and other outstanding balances before refunds are issued. If the scholarships result in a credit balance, the student may be refunded electronically via direct deposit into a specified bank account or by mail with a paper check.

V. Third Party Sponsor

A credit balance resulting from a third party sponsor payment on a student account which exceeds the authorized charges on that account will be returned to the third party sponsor.

VI. Rescinding Authorizations

A student may rescind the authorization to apply his/her financial aid award to charges defined as non-allowable by Title IV Cash Management Regulations at any time. The decision to rescind must be provided by the student in writing and will be in effect from the date the notice is received going forward.

VII. Unclaimed Checks

It is the responsibility of the student to notify the University of any address change. If the check is returned undeliverable by the post office, reasonable effort will be made to locate a new address for the student.

VIII. Refunds Issued in Error

The University reserves the right to reclaim refunds issued in error. Should this occur, the student will be contacted via email and/or telephone call and advised of the oversight. Students will have seven (7) days upon being advised to return the erroneous refund to the University.

IX. Suspicious Activity

Suspicious activity related to student account refunds will be reported to the proper authority for further investigation, which may include but is not limited to, Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance, Dean of Students, Financial Aid, Public Safety, and/or the University Office of General Counsel.

Student Account Refunding Options

The University has partnered with BankMobile to administer student refunds.

To select a refund preference, students will log into UAConnect, click the Treasurer's Office tile, and click the Refunding Options link. Further information is available by visiting treasurer.uark.edu/Refunding to view the Refunds and Financial Aid FAQ's on the Treasurer’s Office website.

A student may receive partial or full credit for the semester's fees if he/she completes the official withdrawal process through the Registrar's Office. Please refer to the Academic Semester Calendar to determine the appropriate refund calculation.

Additional Information

Treasurer's Office

Financial Affairs

Office of Financial Aid

Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance

Registrar's Office

University of Arkansas Police Department

Important Deadlines
Deadline Spring  2024
Financial Adj for Dropped Classes See New Policy
Financial Adj for Withdrawal See New Policy
Payment Deadline (no payment plan) Jan 22
Financial Aid/Scholarship Disbursement Begins Jan 16
Payment Plan Last Installment Apr 22

Treasurer's Office

Operating Hours

  • Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
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