Withdrawal and Student Financial Responsibility

Withdrawing from the college does not relieve a student of financial obligations under the Installment Payment Agreement or for any student loans as these are the student’s legal financial commitments. Refunds will be processed in accordance with the published schedule. Withdrawing from the college must be done with an advisor in order for the student to receive any refund.

Refund of Tuition and Fees

Refund percentages are based on the amount of total fees, not on the amount paid.

Any student officially withdrawing will receive a refund on tuition, student service, laboratory, building and general use and private lesson fees paid and/or obligated. The refund process will begin on Tuesday night following the first class day for 100 percent withdrawals and Tuesday night of the second week following the 20th (Spring/Fall) and 6th (Summer) class days down to 25 percent withdrawals.

Percentages are according to the following schedule:

• Semester Length – 9 to 16 or more weeks
  • Prior to the first class day, 100 percent. (less $20 matriculation fee).
  • During the five class days, 80 percent of total fees.
  • During the second five class days, 70 percent of total fees.
  • During the third five class days, 50 percent of total fees.
  • During the fourth five class days, 25 percent of total fees.
  • No refunds after the fourth five class days.
• Semester Length – 5 to 8 weeks
  • Prior to the first class day, 100 percent (less $20 matriculation fee).
  • During the first, second or third class day, 80 percent of total fees.
  • During the fourth, fifth or sixth class day, 50 percent of total fees.
  • Seventh class day and after, none.
• Semester Length – 4 weeks
  • Prior to the first class day, 100 percent (less $20 matriculation fee).
  • During the first and second class days, 80 percent.
  • During the third and fourth class days, 50 percent.
  • Fifth class day and after, none.
• Semester Length – 2-3 weeks
  • Prior to the first class day, 100 percent (less $20 matriculation fee).
  • On the first class day, 80 percent.
  • On the second class day, 50 percent.
  • Third class day and after, none.

Refunds for Students Receiving Federal Financial Aid

Students who withdraw prior to completing 60 percent of the semester and who are receiving or have received financial assistance (grants, loans, scholarships), all or a portion of the aid received will be returned to the appropriate financial aid source. Students who withdraw before completing 60 percent of a semester must repay unused aid to the federal government and Lamar State College-Port Arthur. Recipients who withdraw before the 60 percent point in the semester will have returns calculated according to the Return of Federal Title IV Guidelines.

In allotting the refunds to specific programs, the college will practice a “Fixed Priority Allocation.” The list below indicates the priority in which programs will be refunded. The full amount received under each program is returned in the priority order until the refund amount is exhausted. The amount returned to a specific program cannot exceed the amount the student received from that program. The Director of Student Financial Aid may exercise professional judgment in exceptions to the distribution hierarchy policy.

Refund Priority

1. Federal Pell Grant
2. Federal SEOG
3. Other Title IV Programs
4. LEAP
5. TPEG Short-Term Loans
6. TPEG
7. Other State FA Programs
8. Departmental Budgeted Funds