Refunds

 
 

Direct deposit for tuition and fee refunds is not the same as direct deposit for payroll. If you get a paycheck from CU, you'll need to set up both in Buff Portal.

General Information

Refunds typically result from schedule adjustments, health insurance waivers, overpayments, financial aid, or confirmation deposits. There are two important things to keep in mind about refunds:

  1. Regardless of who paid the bill (except for parent loan refunds designated for the parent borrower), refunds are issued in the student's name.
  2. Refunds reflect current account activity. It is possible that you could see new charges on your bill after getting a refund (due to schedule changes, enrollment in waitlisted classes, or financial aid adjustments, for example) and you are responsible for paying the new charges. Also, Continuing Education classes are billed separately so it is possible to get a refund from your Main Campus student account and still owe a bill to Continuing Education.

Financial Aid Refunds

Financial aid begins applying to bills the Monday before the first day of classes. Check your To-Dos in Buff Portal to secure your funds. If your financial aid exceeds the amount of your bill, you can expect the financial aid refund to be processed around the Friday before classes start. Set up direct deposit to avoid a delay in getting your refund.

Financial aid refunds will be available starting around the following dates (dates may be subject to change):

  • Spring 2025: refunds from financial aid overages begin processing on Friday, Jan. 10. Students who have signed up for direct deposit for refunds by Jan. 5, may see the refund in their bank account as early as the Friday before classes start, Jan. 10,  depending on your bank (3–5 business days is normal). Students who are not signed up for direct deposit for refunds, will be issued a check which will be mailed to their mailing address in 7–10 business days.
  • Summer 2025: Maymester or Maymester plus any other sessions will begin processing refunds on May 5. Session A, C and D will begin processing on May 26. Session B or Session B plus C, D or Augmester begin processing refunds on July 1 for direct deposit. For Augmester only, refunds begin processing on July 28.
  • Fall 2025: TBD

Confirmation Deposit Refunds

Graduates

Your confirmation deposit will be refunded about eight weeks after graduation, less any outstanding charges.

Withdrawals or Leave of Absence

If you withdraw by established deadlines, the confirmation deposit will be applied to any outstanding charges first. The remainder will be refunded to you about 6–8 weeks after your withdrawal. Upon returning to CU, you will need to pay the confirmation deposit again before you can register for classes. 

New Students Who Do Not Attend Classes

New, readmitted and transfer students who do not attend classes forfeit the confirmation deposit and are not eligible for a refund.

Other Refunds

Credit Card Refunds

If your bill was paid by a credit card, the refund will be returned to the credit card company. The 2.85% service fee charged by NelNet Campus Commerce is nonrefundable. Credit card refunds are processed weekly.

Housing Deposit Refunds

Housing deposits are generally released after spring semester ends in mid-June. For more information, visit .

Parent Loan Refunds

Refunds for parent loans are issued weekdays by check to the person (parent or student) indicated on the borrower’s application. Parent loan refunds are not eligible for direct deposit. For more information, visit Parent Loans.

Withdrawal Refunds 

If you paid tuition and fees and withdraw from the semester within established deadlines, you may be eligible for a refund. For more information, visit Withdraw from the Semester.

Returning Students and the Confirmation Deposit

First-years, new transfers: Please log in to your application at  to pay your confirmation deposit.  Do not follow these instructions to pay your confirmation deposit.

Returning students: Because you receive your confirmation deposit back when you take a break from school (whether it is applied to outstanding charges or refunded), you need to pay it again if you return.

Repaying the Confirmation Deposit

  1. Make sure your IdentiKey is activated.
  2. Log in to .
  3. Locate the Tuition & Fees card and click on the overflow menu (the three vertical dots in the upper right corner).
  4. Click "Confirmation Deposit."
  5. Click "Pay Deposit" and follow the instructions to complete your payment.