Open University

When withdrawing from a course, students must consider both the academic and financial aspects of their enrollment. Any student who does not formally withdraw from a course before the drop deadline (see Calendar for important dates) will still be responsible for any outstanding payments and academic performance requirements.

When withdrawing from a course after the drop deadline (see Calendar for important dates) a formal withdrawal process is still required, as well as meeting other CSUN policies to avoid an academic/grade penalty for the course.

Please note:

• The student, not the instructor, is responsible for dropping classes.
• Non-attendance does not constitute a withdrawal.
• Stopping payment on a check for tuition and other fees does not constitute a request for a refund.

For details on Administrative and Student Initiated Withdrawals, see CSUN Academic Policies.

Once a course is dropped, the refund schedule applies. This is true even if the student's intention is to swap the dropped class for another class.

The following does not constitute an official drop, nor do such actions diminish your financial obligation to CSUN:

• Stopping payment
• Not attending class
• Merely notifying the instructor

During the open registration period, students registering for a course can get a full refund if the course is dropped online (and no course is added to replace the dropped course).

Please refer to the Calendar for the deadline to receive a refund based on term of enrollment.  

If the University cancels a class, all the students enrolled in that class will receive an automatic refund for the full tuition fees.

Refunds

• If a refund is due, resulting in a credit on your CSUN account, you will automatically receive a refund.
• For credit card transactions, a credit will appear on your credit card account. Payments made by check, electronic check, money order or cash will be refunded in the form of a check.
• Refunds are not based on the date a student stops attending class. Refunds are calculated based on the date that the student drops a class online or drops a class by submitting the completed Late Change in Academic Schedule form to the appropriate office.

Refunds Issued:

Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing. Refunds for credit card payments will be credited back to the original card number. Refund checks for payments not made by credit card are mailed to the student's address listed in the SOLAR Student Center.

If you have any questions regarding the status of your refund, please email the Tseng College Finance Department at tsengfinance@csun.edu. Please be sure to include your CSUN ID number.