Refund consideration is automatic; no special request is necessary. Action to process a refund cannot begin until after the refund period (first two weeks of a term) has passed. It may take as many as six additional weeks for the refund to reach the student.

Dropping all Courses

Completely dropping all classes does not cancel a student’s obligation to pay a student loan or the balance of a revolving charge account. Refund calculations are based on the total tuition and fees. Students with outstanding accounts such as short-term loans, emergency loans, residence hall charges, and any other financial obligations due the University, will have any refund due them applied against the obligation. Reminder: You are obligated to pay the current term’s tuition (or some portion thereof during the above refund period) if you have not cancelled in advance of the start of the term on the web or in writing with the Registrar’s Office once classes have started. Refund policy and calculation are matters separate from tuition payment arrangements. Refunds for students on financial aid are credited back to the proper financial aid account.

For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at 503-838-8475.

Military Service

The refund policy generally provides for full refund of dropped or withdrawn courses resulting from entering or being called to active duty in the military service within the current term. No refund is available for course work in which a student has received academic credit or from courses not dropped/withdrawn. For a full refund, the student must make a written request to the Office of Business Services. Documentation of the military orders is required.

A student voluntarily enlisting in a military service must drop/withdraw according to existing academic policy, procedures and deadlines, or by petition to the Office of Business Services.

Tuition & Fee Refund Appeal

An appeal cannot be considered unless you have withdrawn from your courses. If you cannot withdraw from your courses because you have a hold or it is beyond week seven of the term, you can contact the registrar’s office for assistance at registrar@wou.edu or (503) 838-8327. 

If you are confronted with an unexpected circumstance that requires you to withdraw from your course(s) you may request review by submitting a request to appeal the refund policy. Please describe, in detail, the circumstance and how it required withdrawal from your course(s). Requests must be submitted by using the Tuition & Fee Refund Appeal Form. A response will be sent to your WOU email. Please allow a minimum of 30 working days for your request to be reviewed.

Qualifying Hardship Examples:

Personal illness or injury; Illness, injury, or death of an immediate family member; Required military or job transfer out of the area; Loss of residence; Emotional or mental health issue for student that required professional care; Other unusual circumstances beyond your control (such as: fire or natural disaster occurred at your home or a legal matter).

Examples of Non-Qualifying Events:

Perceived quality of instruction or dissatisfaction with the course; Dispute of account charges; Course placement or advising issues; Missing a deadline; Receiving a low grade; or a Change of major.

Note: If you are appealing due to medical reasons, do not complete this request. Medical withdrawal review is submitted to the Dean of Students. You can find more information here.