Southern Oregon University
Appeals for Tuition Credits/Special Requests

The Appeals Committee
 Southern Oregon University has established the Student Appeals Committee to review student requests for special consideration in the area of tuition refunds or other special requests. This committee is comprised of staff members from Financial Aid, the Registrar's Office, and Business Services. The Student Appeals Committee's decision is final; no additional appeal review levels are provided.

In order for the committee to consider an exception to established policy, a student's circumstances must be extraordinary, e.g., a documented medical/family emergency or an apparent institutional error. You may be eligible for a 100% tuition credit that is subject to a non-negotiable $100 administration fee. The appeals committee will not consider appeals based on personal or work schedule conflicts. 

If you are withdrawing from any or all courses, you may be entitled to a refund of fees paid.  If you are withdrawing completely from SOU at this time, we hope we can welcome you back in the future. Please feel free to contact Financial Aid, Business Services, the Registrar's Office, or Student Services staff for assistance.

The Refund Process
Refunds are calculated by the published refund schedule as designated by the Oregon University System of Higher Education and Southern Oregon University.  The refund schedule is published in the Registration Handbook and on the Business Services web site.

1. You must withdraw formally by notifying the Registrar's Office through SISWeb or by filling out the required withdrawal form in person at the Registrar's Office; this is considered official withdrawal.
2. Monetary credits, in all cases, are calculated from the date of receipt of the official withdrawal and NOT from the date you stopped attending classes.
3. Students are responsible for reviewing the published refund schedule. In order for students to be eligible for a 100% tuition credit, they must formally withdraw from courses prior to the first day of the second week of the term.
4. Your refund, if any, will be applied first to all debts due Southern Oregon University, the Oregon University System, and financial aid programs. Tuition credits will be applied back to financial aid at the point that you completely withdraw from school. Any tuition credits remaining after applying proceeds back to financial aid programs will be used to offset any other charges you have incurred.
5. A refund check, MasterCard/VISA credit, or direct deposit will be issued after application of credits to any debits owed (see "d," above). If you owe a repayment of financial aid that you have already received, you will be notified by mail. Notification by mail and processing of credits due you, if any, can take four to six weeks after partial or complete withdrawal.

The Appeal Process
Appeals must be filed within six (6) months following the term in question.

1. Print out an SOU Appeals Form from the Business Services web site or pick a form up at the Enrollment Services Center in Britt Hall (Monday through Friday, 8 :00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) If you need to have a form mailed to you, call 541-552-6600 or e-mail Business Services at stubill@sou.edu.
2. Complete the form. Make sure you meet all the requirements described in this document. Provide documentation to support your appeal. Lack of documentation can delay processing of your appeal. Documentation can be an e-mail or note from the professor for non-attendance.
3. Submit the completed form along with documentation to the Enrollment Services Center in Britt Hall, Monday through Friday, 8 :00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or mail it to SOU Business Services Student Billing, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520.
4. The appeals committee meets weekly throughout the term.  Every attempt will be made to act on your appeal within seven days from the date your appeal is received, if necessary documentation is included. You will receive written notification by mail of the outcome of your appeal. You may also check with any Enrollment Services associate.

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This page is maintained by the Business Services Technology Team. If you have questions or comments about this page, contact BusSvcs_Web@sou.edu.  Copyright 2007, Southern Oregon University