Student Refund Update
Resources
Student Resources
- Canvas: Getting Started Guide for Students
- What is the Canvas Student App?
- Academic Assistance: The Learning Zone and Writing Wing
- Chaplain and Religious Life Resources
- Counseling Services Resources
- Career Services Resources
- Student Software
Faculty & Employee Resources
- Etown Reopening Printable Signage
- Five Ways to View Coverage of the Coronavirus
- CDC Tips for Managing Stress & Anxiety
- Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus
- The Straight Scoop on Garlic, Mosquitos and Other Coronavirus Myths
Resources for Everyone
- CDC
- PA Department of Health
- Zoom
- Join a Zoom Meeting
- Navigating the Controls in a Zoom Meeting
- Xfinity Wifi Hotspots
- Comcast Internet Essentials
- ITS Knowledgebase
- Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-Being Resources
- Event Updates
- High Library: Documenting Etown's COVID-19 Experience
- Wellspan myStrength Resources
Refund Guidelines
Housing and Dining operations are required to be self-supporting and also cover costs related to other operations such as The Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness & Well-Being. The College has financial obligations associated with these facilities including debt service and renovation and repairs.
While certain federal programs under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) are anticipated to reduce our employee costs, the College is still faced with personnel costs related to retaining community living, facilities, and dining staff, who support housing and dining, and to ensure that these staff members are available to serve our students this coming fall 2020.
Our refund methodology encompasses the return of an equitable portion of room and board fees paid by our students for the spring semester reduced by a percentage to help us meet the financial obligations we have described above. Not factoring our debt obligations or direct personnel costs into the refund calculation would significantly affect the financial health of the college.
Housing Credits
Housing credits will be prorated based on the number of days remaining in the semester when students were required to move off campus on March 15, 2020, or when a student actually departed campus, for those approved to remain on campus past March 15, 2020. The number of days in the semester is based on the federal government’s regulations surrounding Title IV funding (i.e. Direct Student Loans, Federal Pell Grants). Based on the federal guidelines, there are 108 days in the spring 2020 semester, calculated as follows.
Below is an example of a housing credit calculation for a student living in a standard double occupancy room in a traditional residence hall.
Meal Plan Credits
Students who had signed up for the unlimited Gold meal plan will receive a prorated credit of the meal plan cost, plus any unused Jay Bucks left on their ID card, less a 10% charge for fixed costs. The prorated credit will be calculated similarly to the housing credit.
Students who had signed up for any other block meal plan will receive a credit equal to one-half of the semester meals (reduced by the number of meals already eaten by a student that exceed one half of the available amount) plus any unused Jay Bucks left on their ID card, less a 10% charge for fixed costs. Students who only purchased Jay Bucks will receive a credit for any unused Jay Bucks left on their ID card.
Refunds for Students Returning in the Fall 2020 Semester
Housing and meal plan credits will first be applied to any outstanding balance on a student’s account as of today. Any remaining credit will then be applied to summer 2020 bill if registered this summer and/or the fall 2020 semester bill. If a student wishes to receive their refund immediately, they may submit a
refund request form
through the Business Office.
Refunds for Graduating Students
Housing and meal plan credits will first be applied to any outstanding balance on a student’s account as of today. Students not returning in the fall 2020 semester will automatically receive a refund check in the next several weeks at their legal home address on file for any remaining credit. If a student wishes to receive their refund through direct deposit, they may submit a
refund request form
through the Business Office.
Housing and meal plan credits will be applied to student accounts by the close of Friday, April 24. At that time students may view the credits by clicking on “Activity Details” once logged into their online Business Office account (Cashnet), accessible through
Jayweb
.
Thank you for your continued support of Elizabethtown College.
Sincerely,
Elizabethtown College Business Office