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Refunds
The type of refund process you need depends on your situation. Choose the option below that best matches what you鈥檙e trying to do.
Find out what happens to your tuition after dropping a course.
Find out how to request payment of funds available on your Student Account.
Dropped a course within the refund period?
If you dropped a course or courses during the refund period, your tuition and applicable fees will be adjusted automatically on your . What happens next depends on whether you have already paid:
- If you have already paid your tuition and fees: The adjustment will create a credit balance on your account. To receive the funds, you'll need to request a refund 鈥� see Requesting a credit balance refund below.
- If you have not yet paid your tuition and fees: The adjustment will reduce your outstanding balance. No further action is required.
Example: If you drop a course before the refund deadline and have already paid, the refunded amount will appear as a credit on your account, which you can request back. If you have not yet paid, the adjustment will simply reduce the amount you owe.
For more information about tuition refunds, see our Tuition Refund Policy page. For term-specific tuition refund deadlines, see the Dates and Deadlines page.
Dropped a course after the refund deadline?
Automatic adjustments apply only within the refund period. If you dropped a course after the deadline due to extenuating circumstances, you may still be eligible for a refund, but you will need to submit a request. See Tuition Refund Request.
Can I get a refund?
Check your balance first. Do you see a negative balance, which is also known as a credit balance? (For example, -$500)
- No: You do not currently have a refund available. Check your account details or contact Student Accounts if you think a credit is missing.
- Yes: See below for your options, depending on why you have a credit balance.
What should I do with my credit balance?
- Will you be returning to 麻豆视频next term?
You can leave the credit on your account to be applied to next term's charges.
- Receiving an Award/Scholarship/Bursary?
Sign up for direct deposit. If your account has a credit balance, the money will be automatically sent to your bank account in accordance with the refund schedule. Major delays occur if you are not enrolled in direct deposit.
- Did you pay more than you owed?
If you have a credit balance because you overpaid, sign up for direct deposit, then submit an online refund request through under 鈥淔inances.鈥� Refunds may take longer to process if you are not enrolled in direct deposit.
How can I request a credit balance refund?
If your has a credit balance 鈥� from a tuition adjustment, an overpayment, an award, or another source 鈥� you may request that it be paid back to you.
Before submitting an online refund request through under "Finances", make sure that:
- your account has a credit balance;
- all applicable adjustments have been processed;
- you do not have outstanding charges that will use the credit balance;
- you do not want to keep the credit balance on your account to pay for future charges (e.g., tuition fees for a future term).
How you receive the funds depends on whether you have a Canadian bank account 鈥� see Domestic Refunds. If you do not have a Canadian bank account 鈥� see International Refunds.
When will I receive my credit balance refund?
The timing depends on the type of refund and how the refund is issued.
Award, scholarship, or bursary refunds
If you are receiving a refund from an award, scholarship, or bursary, your credit balance will be automatically refunded according to the refund schedule.
To receive your funds faster, make sure you are enrolled in direct deposit. Refunds issued by direct deposit are processed weekly. Cheque refunds are processed monthly and may take longer.
Refunds for overpayments or other account credits
If you've overpaid your tuition and fees or have another refundable credit balance on your Student Account, you must submit an online refund request through under "Finances" to receive the funds.
Once your refund request has been processed, refunds are issued according to the refund schedule.
Note: Refund requests for overpayments will not be processed during the first six weeks of the term.
Dropped courses
I dropped a course during the 100% refund period. Do I need to submit a Tuition Refund Request?
No, a course dropped before the 100% refund deadline will be automatically adjusted on your Student Account. If you have questions about your Student Account activity, please contact Student Accounts.
Refer to the 'I have a credit balance and want it paid to me' section above for the full policy.
I paid for my tuition and other fees but dropped a course during the 100%, 75%, 50% automatic refund deadline. How do I get my money back?
Log into your go麻豆视频Student Centre and check your account balance. If there is a negative (-) balance, you have a credit on your account and can submit an online refund request through go麻豆视频under Finances. Please refer to the Domestic or International Student Refunds pages for information on accessing those funds.
I do not know when I dropped my course(s).
Please contact the Registrar and Information Services team, for enrolment/drop details.
Tuition refund requests (withdrawal under extenuating circumstances)
What are the eligible/ineligible reasons for a tuition refund request?
Refer to the 鈥渆ligible/ineligible reasons鈥� sections for a detailed list of common eligible and ineligible reasons.
When will I receive my tuition refund?
If you submitted a Tuition Refund Request, the review process can take 8鈥�10 weeks due to the volume of requests.
After you receive a decision letter:
- If your request is approved, the refund amount will be adjusted on your Student Account within three weeks.
- If the adjustment creates a credit balance on your Student Account, you may be eligible for a refund. To receive the funds, submit an online refund request through under Finances.
- If you have outstanding charges, the credit may be applied to those charges instead.
It has been over three weeks since I received the decision letter, and I am still waiting for the tuition refund on my account. What should I do?
Your refund may have been applied to an outstanding or future balance on your account. Please email student_accounts@sfu.ca for assistance with understanding your account activity.
I received a decision letter regarding my tuition refund request. I disagree with the decision. Can I appeal the decision?
Yes, there is an appeal process in place. For detailed information, read the information on the Tuition Refund Appeal webpage.
How do I submit an online refund request for non-tuition-related charges?
To request an online refund for non-tuition related charges, you must first enrol in direct deposit and then submit an online refund request through under Finances.
How to enrol in direct deposit on goSFU?
For instructions in setting up direct deposit with SFU, refer to the domestic refunds page.
Students may also refer to the following document for instructions and frequently asked questions: Direct Deposit Instructions.
International students
I do not have a Canadian bank account. How will I receive a refund for non-tuition-related charges?
Students who do not have a Canadian bank account will receive their refund through Flywire. However, if the refund is for a residence payment, it may be processed using the original payment method (for example, a credit card).
To request a refund, email Student Accounts at student_accounts@sfu.ca.
For more information about international refunds, visit the International refunds page.