Clarion University Corona Virus Response Update

Student Refunds/Adjustments
April 3, 2020

Dear Clarion students,
Based on guidance from the State System, Clarion University has calculated a 40% refund of room, board and
select fees for the 2020 spring semester. As of March 22, all students without an approval to remain on campus
were required to leave campus. At that time, six weeks remained in the 15-week instructional semester, which is
40 percent of the semester. Most on-campus students will be due a refund; the amount will vary depending
on a students’ initial charges, as well as if they resided on campus and/or had a meal plan. Cash refunds will be
processed beginning April 8, 2020.
WHAT FEES ARE BEING REFUNDED?

FEES
Many services continue as they would with
face-to-face instruction. We are refunding fees
for services that are no longer available to students
due to ceasing face-to-face operations and closing
the residence halls for the majority of students.
EAGLE DOLLARS
Eagle dollars do not expire and roll over
year to year, so no action is being taken on
these funds at this time. Students who are
graduating or who will not be returning to
campus and whose account balances are
more than $5 may request a refund by
contacting the Center for Residence Life
Services at reslife@clarion.edu.
WHY ARE CERTAIN FEES
NOT BEING REFUNDED?

TUITION AND COURSE-RELATED FEES
All instruction has been moved to remote
delivery but will continue through the 2020
spring semester. Full tuition and course-related
fees are remaining in place based on the
allocation for semester instruction of 60%
face-to-face and 40% online. The change in
instruction does not meet the distance
education requirement of 80% or more online.

Fee

Refunded?

Percentage

Housing *
Yes
40%
Meal Plan *
Yes
40%
Meal Plan Flex **
Yes
Unused
Voluntary Flex **
Yes
Unused
Recreation Center
Yes
40%
Student Center
Yes
40%
Parking Permit
Yes
$30
Student Activity Fee (CSA)
Yes
40%
		
Tuition/Course Fees
No
Tuition Technology Fee
No
Instructional Support Fee
No
Student Fee
No
Student Support Fee
No
*

will vary if approved to stay on campus

**

unused portion will be refunded

continued ...

WHY ARE CERTAIN FEES NOT BEING REFUNDED? CONT.

TUITION TECHNOLOGY FEE
This fee is used to acquire, install and maintain up-to-date and emerging technologies to enhance student
learning outcomes. It provides equitable access to technology resources and ensures State System graduates
are competitive in the technological workplace.
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT FEE
This fee is used to upgrade instructional equipment, improve library holdings, and for other instructional purposes.
STUDENT FEE
This fee covers the cost of a broad array of career, counseling, tutoring and technical student services and
programs that are integral to student success. All of these activities continue to be performed and utilized
for instruction in any mode.
STUDENT SUPPORT FEE
This fee, like the student fee above, covers a broad array of services and programs integral to student support at
Venango campus. All of these activities continue to be performed and utilized for instruction in any mode.
WILL MY REFUND BE CREDITED AGAINST AN EXISTING BALANCE?

Yes, some students may have balances due after these reductions in costs are processed. Credits will be applied
toward the balances that remain due first. If you have a credit balance after existing balances are paid, you will
be issued a refund. Beginning April 8, 2020, please login to MyClarion to resolve any balances that are still due
or to sign up for a payment plan. Please reach out to stfinservice@clarion.edu with any questions.
HOW DO I ENSURE A TIMELY CASH REFUND?

Refunds for students with direct deposit will be processed more quickly than those requiring a paper check.
Direct deposit is encouraged, as it is the fastest and most secure option for receiving your refund. Refunds are
available in your bank account within 2-3 business days after processing, thereby eliminating mail delays and the
chance of a lost or stolen check. Instructions for setting up direct deposit are available here. If you elect not to set
up direct deposit, any refunds issued will be mailed to your permanent address and may take 7-10 business days
to arrive once the checks are printed and mailed via the U.S. Postal Service. Please login to your MyClarion
Student Center and verify and/or update your permanent address to avoid lost or returned checks.
If the charges being reduced were initially paid by a parent loan, the refund may be due to the parent.
This depends on what the parent indicated on the parent loan application. If the refund goes to the parent,
the parent will be issued a paper check.
QUESTIONS

Please visit the Student Financial Services (Student Accounts & Financial Aid) webpage and review the
Announcements section, or send any questions to stfinservice@clarion.edu.
While team members from the Office of Student Accounts are checking voicemails regularly and returning calls as
needed, we do encourage utilizing email for inquiries until normal office operations resume. If the matter can’t be
resolved in email format, we will work with you through another method of communication such as a return call.
Thank you for your patience as we navigate through this process together.
Clarion University
Office of Student Accounts