DISBURSEMENT FROM STUDENTS ACCOUNTS

  • Financial aid disbursements are distributed to the student approximately two weeks after the start of class.
  • When payments on a student's account exceed the amount of tuition charged, a refund will be issued approximately two weeks after the date of that occurrence.

Financial aid disbursements, overpayments or loan disbursements will be refunded in the manner in which the payment was made:

  • If paid by cash or check, a check will be issued.
  • If paid by debit or credit card, a refund back to the card used will be made.
  • All checks will be mailed to the address on file* unless you've signed up for a direct deposit. 
  • Direct deposit provides an electronic refund to the bank account* of your choice.
*It's important to keep your address and bank account information up to date to avoid any delays. 

 

Take advantage of direct deposit.

The Sandburg business office offers direct deposit to receive your financial refunds faster and safer. Sign up today. Simply bring your photo ID and one additional identity verification document (e.g., bank statement, lease agreement, utility bill, cell phone bill, voter registration card, vehicle registration, property tax bill or high school transcript) to the Business Office in E100 on the Galesburg main campus or visit the Carthage branch office. If you’ve already signed up for direct deposit and have changed your bank account, follow the same procedures to update your information. Call 309.341.5210 with questions. 

Sign up or update changes to your banking information before Aug. 22 to guarantee your fall financial aid refund is directly deposited.

 

Refund schedule

Refunds will be determined based on the length of the course and the withdrawal date. If you withdraw after the refund date, you will not receive a refund. 
 
Refund period refers to the number of calendar days beginning with the first day of the Carl Sandburg College term. Courses with shorter terms begin with the appropriate term date.

LENGTH OF CLASS

  • Nine- to 16-week classes: A 100% refund is available if you withdraw on or before the ninth calendar day of the term. 
  • Five- to eight-week classes: A 100% refund is available if you withdraw on or before the fifth calendar day of the term.
  • Four-week classes: A 100% refund is available if you withdraw on or before the third calendar day of the term.
  • Two- to three-week classes: A 100% refund is available if you withdraw on or before the second calendar day of the term.
  • For less than two-week classes: A 100% refund is available if you withdraw prior to the first calendar day of the term.

Community Education courses dropped the day before class starts receive a 100% refund.

Financial aid notice for dropping prior to completing 60% of term

If you don't attend 60% of the semester and if you've received federal financial aid (Pell grant, SEOG, direct loans) to pay tuition, fees or other institutional costs, will be responsible to repay part of the monies received. If you fail to repay the funds, you won't be eligible to receive federal aid at any college or university. The college follows the federal requirements for the repayment of Title IV funds. For more information, read Losing Your Aid.

 

Appeal for refund of tuition due to extenuating circumstances

Sandburg provides you time at the beginning of the semester to decide if you're able to continue with the course. You should thoroughly review the course syllabus to ensure you're able to complete the course requirements and have the proper resources, including the required textbooks, online access codes and technology when appropriate. Sandburg provides a full refund of tuition and fees if you drop the course before the deadline date.

  • Deadline for 16-week courses: The first nine calendar days of the course.
  • Deadline for eight-week courses: The first five calendar days of the course.

If you experience extenuating circumstances after the 100% refund deadline that will prevent you from completing the course, you may be eligible to appeal for a refund. You must drop the course before you can submit an appeal. You should submit the refund request form along with any documentation to support your claims.

Appeals will be considered on the basis that you could not have anticipated the circumstances and the circumstances were out of your control. Third-party documentation should accompany all appeals.

The refund committee meets on or about the 20th of each month. All students will receive a written response mailed within 30 days after the final date of information being received. 

No refund request form will be considered once the term is over and grades are posted.