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.
The Refund Policy applies to those students who are enrolled at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. This policy applies to all tuition, room, board, fees and other charges assessed by the College (except non-refundable housing, orientation and admissions deposits where applicable).
Withdrawal prior to the first day of classes (official opening) a student receives a refund of 100%.
All refunds for withdrawals after the start of school are determined on a pro-rata basis up to the 60% point of the semester. Pro-rata refunds are calculated by determining the percentage of the semester that has been completed up to and including the official date of withdrawal. Withdrawals prior to November 5, 2023, up to the 60% point of the semester, will be considered in the refund calculation.
Based on the calculation, the College determines the amount of financial aid that is unearned 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 Direct Loan, Subsidized Direct Loan, Federal PLUS Loan, Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG). Any remaining credit balances will then be returned to the state, institutional and student resources, in that order.
Please note withdrawal from the College could result in a balance owed to the College for federal aid that must be returned to the above programs.
Examples of refund policies are available upon request. Regular withdrawal/leave of absence processes begin with Kayla Hollins in the Office of Student Persistence in Mark Hopkins Hall. Any medical withdrawals/leave of absences will contact Patrick Connelly in Student Affairs. These forms must be completed and validated by the Registrar’s Office for the withdrawal or leave to be considered official.
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Students that are withdrawn through the administration for judicial matters may be ineligible to receive any refund for tuition, fees and/or room and board.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.
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.
