General Policies

Balances Due

Students are required to pay tuition and fees in full or have approved financial aid for any outstanding balances by the due dates. Students will not be admitted or allowed to return to campus until all outstanding balances are paid in full. The university reserves the right to drop the student's registration and/or revoke access to dining and information services.

Changes

The university reserves the right to change fees.

Graduation

The university will not issue a diploma unless bills are paid in full. If all academic requirements are met, the Board of Trustees and faculty confer degrees, finances notwithstanding. Diplomas will be held until accounts are cleared.

Hollins University Budget Payment Plan

There are two interest-free budget payment plans available to all full-time, undergraduate students with the exception of visitors to our Hollins Abroad programs. These payment plans are administered by Academic Management Systems (AMS). Payment plan contracts are written for full-year tuition, room, and board fees only. A $55 nonrefundable fee must accompany the signed contract. Payments begin June 1 or August 1 and end March 1. There is a late payment charge of 3.3% per month charged by AMS on balances due more than 30 days. Application forms are available from the business office.

Housing Deposits

Returning students may not participate in room selection unless this fee is paid in full.

Late Payments

There is a charge of 3% per month after 30 days.

Miscellaneous Policies

For students who are billed by the credit hour, tuition refunds for course withdrawals will be made according to the same schedule reported above. Hollins makes available a tuition refund plan to supplement the university’s refund plan in cases of serious illness or accidents. This is an optional plan that may be purchased by the student.

Hollins reserves the right to suspend, expel, or place on administrative leave a student at any time if her conduct is unsatisfactory or if she violates the rules and regulations as set forth by the university. In the event either is necessary, there is no refund except for $60 per month for meals, less an administrative fee ($200 for 2009-10).

Re-admit Fee:

Students who withdraw from Hollins for any reason will be charged a $100.00 re-admit fee.

Registration

A student will not be permitted to register for any term unless bills are paid in full with the exception of charges added in the last 30-day billing period.

Returned Check Fee

There is a charge of $35.00 for returned checks.

Refunds

Withdrawal from the university will result in a refund of fees paid and/or owed as follows:

Withdrawal prior to first class meeting date:
A 100% refund will be made of tuition, room, board, and all fees.

Withdrawal subsequent to first class meeting date:

• Re-admit Fee: If withdrawn from the university for any reason, to be re-admitted that same term, there is a $100.00 processing fee.


• Tuition: Tuition refunds to students who withdraw on or after the first day of classes each term will be made as follows:
  FALL TERM
  • 90% tuition refund for withdrawal by September 17, 2009
  • 50% tuition refund for withdrawal by September 24, 2009
  • 25% tuition refund for withdrawal by October 15, 2009
  • Beginning October 16, 2009, no tuition refund
  
  SPRING TERM
  • 90% tuition refund for withdrawal by February 18, 2010
  • 50% tuition refund for withdrawal by February 25, 2010
  • 25% tuition refund for withdrawal by March 18, 2010
  • Beginning March 19, 2010, no tuition refund


• Return of Title IV Federal Financial Aid
  The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 (HEA98) represent a major shift in the Return of Title IV Federal Financial Aid when a student withdraws from the university. This change in policy went into effect at Hollins University with the fall semester 2000. The policy governs all federal grant and loan programs (Pell, Stafford loans, SEOG, Perkins and PLUS loans), but does not include the Federal Work-Study program.
  
  The new law assumes that a student "earns" approved (verified) federal financial aid awards in proportion to the number of days in the term prior to the student's complete withdrawal. If a student completely withdraws from school during a term, the school must calculate, according to a specific formula, the portion of the total scheduled financial assistance that the student has earned and is therefore entitled to retain, until the time that the student withdrew. If a student receives (or the university receives on the student's behalf) more assistance than she earns, the unearned funds must be returned to the Department of Education or to the Federal Stafford or parent's Federal PLUS loan lenders. If a student's charges are less than the amount earned, and a refund is due, the student may be able to receive those additional funds. Students who have not completed the verification process are ineligible to receive any financial aid.
  
  The portion of the federal grants and loans that the student is entitled to receive is calculated on a percentage basis by comparing the total number of days in the semester to the number of days that the student completed before she withdrew. Students should contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance before withdrawing to understand the effect on their financial assistance.


• Board
  Board will be refunded on a daily pro rata basis less an administrative fee ($200 for 2009-10).


• Room and Other Fees (SGA dues, etc)
  No refund under any circumstances.


• Short Term
  No refund is made for time spent off campus during Short Term.


• For students who are billed by the credit hour, tuition refunds for course withdrawals will be made according to the same schedule reported above.


• Tuition Refund Plan
  Hollins makes available a tuition refund plan to supplement the university’s refund plan in cases of serious illness or accidents. This is an optional plan that may be purchased by the student.


• Hollins reserves the right to suspend or expel a student at any time if her conduct is unsatisfactory or if she violates the rules and regulations as set forth by the university. In the event either is necessary, there is no refund except for $60 per month for meals.

Transcripts

The university will not issue an academic transcript unless bills are paid in full with the exception of charges added in the last 30-day billing period. Additionally, students who hold federal loans that are in the collections process or in default will not be issued an academic transcript until satisfactory payment arrangements have been made and executed.

VA Benefits

VA Benefits, including Post-9/11 GI Bill and/or Yellow Ribbon benefits, will always be considered first for payment on a student’s tuition and fees at Hollins University. Other sources of funding specifically identified for tuition may be reduced or returned when total resources exceed the cost of tuition and fees.