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Student Fee Refunds

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Details of Refunded Student Fees

We understand that current events have presented challenges for many in the University community and we appreciate your patience as we navigate this new normal.  At the request of the Student Government Association and many other students, Valdosta State University is providing the following insight to the refund plan and the refunds to be distributed.

How refunds will be distributed

• Timeline

  The university anticipates issuing service fee refunds by April 10, 2020.

• Where will refunds be sent?

  Refunds will be posted to the student account. If a student has incurred any other charges, the resulting disbursement to the student will be the net balance of those charges.

  Students should make sure their direct deposit is set up so that any refunds will be sent directly to their bank. It is imperative that your home address and direct deposit information is up-to-date. If any corrections are needed, please visit email studentaccounts@valdosta.edu.

  Please note that, unless your original payment was made by credit card, your refund will be sent to you using the following priority: 1) Direct deposit, 2) Mailing address in Banner, 3) Permanent address in Banner. Refund checks will not be mailed to VSU boxes.

  If you have questions about refunds, please contact us at studentaccounts@valdosta.edu and we will respond as quickly as possible.

• University Hours, Services, and Public Access

  Will the VSU campus be open?

  Yes, the campus remains open. That said, to reduce social interactions, VSU will limit public access to campus effective Monday, March 23.

  Select areas will be open and staffed Monday through Thursday from 10:00am-2:00pm.  Contact information including phone numbers and email addresses may be found at .  If you reach out to these areas during times other than what is published below, please know that every attempt will be made to respond to all emails and voicemail messages within one business day.

  • Odum Library will be open Monday-Thursday, 10:00am-7:00pm.  Access is limited to students, staff, and faculty by swiping in with a VSU OneCard.
  • Several offices (e.g., The Counseling Center, Human Resources, and Advising) will continue to provide individual services via phone appointment.
  • Other offices may be contacted through the department’s primary phone number and/or email. Phone and e-mail messages should be replied to within one business day Monday-Friday. 
  • Students in need of food or hygiene items may contact the Drop-N-Shop program for assistance by email at slvs@valdosta.edu.

  Can I come to work to pick up items I need to be able to work remotely?

  If a visit to campus to retrieve essential items (laptop, supplies) is required to facilitate remote work, employees are encouraged to coordinate with a supervisor to stagger campus visit times and limit contact with others. 

  Is employee development offering professional development on-line for Cascade, defensive driving, etc. that employees can take advantage of during this time?

  EOD will be unable to offer professional development for Cascade website training.

  However, there is an online version of defensive driving training. Please note that this version costs $100.00 per person and is charged to the department. Please email Ashley Cooper at aamyers@valdosta.edu if interested.  

  Will employees still be able to get P-card approvals, order from EPro, and request purchase orders during this time?

  Yes.

Fees That Cannot Be Refunded

• Explanation

  About Mandatory Fees

  In accordance with the University System of Georgia (USG) guidance on refunds, the following fees may not be refunded:

  • Tuition,
  • Special Institutional fees,
  • Mandatory Facility fees, and
  • Technology fees.

  These fees fund continuing instruction, as well as existing business operations for the remainder of Spring 2020. The University remains open, and although instruction is online, many areas continue to function at full capacity, such as Information Technology, Advising, Career Services, and more.

  Mandatory fees, including facility fees, are reviewed annually by the Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee, which is comprised of 50% student representation. Mandatory facility fees are committed to pay debt service obligations on those facilities, and are therefore not able to be refunded. 

• Institutional Fee of $295 = No refund

  The Institutional Fee was implemented by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) to offset severe budget reductions experienced by USG schools. Because of the necessity of these funds for continued instruction and student support, VSU will not refund the Institutional Fee, consistent with USG guidance.

• Technology Fee of $65 = No refund

  The Technology Fee supports technology for online course delivery, as well as technology across campus, including but not limited to wireless access, classroom technology, and students’ printing allowance each semester. These services are a major resource in VSU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and online course and student support delivery. Consistent with USG guidance, and because of the necessity of these operations in the transition to online instruction, VSU will not refund the Technology Fee.

• Access Card Fee of $10 = No refund

  The Access Card Fee supports the technology behind the 1Card, which allows swipe access for Flex accounts, residence halls, meal plans, as well as admission to student events and services. The fee supports maintenance, equipment, systems, staff, and student employees during the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester.

• Athletic Fee of $146 = No refund

  The Athletic Fee supports student scholarships and operations of Blazer Athletics, and allows students into any regular-season sporting event on campus. The fee provides on-going operating support for student athletic scholarships, staff and student salaries, maintenance of facilities during the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. The scholarships and salaries expenses generally exceed the total mandatory fee revenue collected each year.

• Athletic Facility Fee (Debt) of $32 = No refund

  The Athletic Facility Fee is committed to debt service for the Athletic Facility construction. Thus, VSU will not refund this fee.

• Student Recreation Center (Debt) of $30 = No refund

  The Student Recreation Center Construction Debt Fee of $30 is committed to debt service for the Student Recreation Center’s construction. Mandatory facility fees are committed to pay debt service obligations on those facilities, and are therefore not able to be refunded. 

• Student Union – Facility (Debt) of $101 = No refund

  The Student Union Facility Fee is committed to debt service for the Student Union’s construction. Mandatory facility fees are committed to pay debt service obligations on those facilities, and are therefore not able to be refunded. 

• Health Center Facility Fee (Debt) of $52 = No refund

  The Health Center Facility Fee is committed to debt service for the Student Health Center’s construction. Mandatory facility fees are committed to pay debt service obligations on those facilities, and are therefore not able to be refunded. 

• Health Center Operating Fee of $98 = No refund

  The Student Health Center remains fully staffed and operational throughout the Spring semester to serve all VSU students who remain on or near campus but also for other students through remote and telemedicine platforms. In addition, the SHC is a major resource in the VSU and local community’s ever-evolving response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the continuing critical nature of these operations, VSU will not refund the Health Fee.

• Parking Facility Fee (Debt) of $138 = No refund

  The Parking Facility Fee of $138 is committed to debt service for the construction of the parking decks (Sustella and Oak). Mandatory facility fees are committed to pay debt service obligations on those facilities, and are therefore not able to be refunded. 

• Transportation Fee of $35 = No refund

  The Transportation Fee of $35 supports the bus system across campus. The fee provides on-going operating support and maintenance of the buses, staff, and student employees during the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. These expenses exceed the percentage calculation for Spring revenue refund based on the number of days of reduced service.

• Parking Decal Fee = No refund

  Fees paid for parking decals provide on-going operating support and maintenance for parking structures, lots, and staff and student assistants during the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester.

Prorated Refunds

• Housing Fees

  Using March 16th as the last service date, a pro-rated amount of approximately 44% will be refunded. Centennial students will receive a higher percentage refund since their contract was for a full year. Students who were granted an exception to remain in the residence halls will not be refunded their housing fees.

• Dining Fees

  Using March 16th as the last service date, a pro-rated amount of approximately 44% will be refunded. Students who were granted an exception to remain in the residence halls will not be refunded their meal plan, but they will be refunded for 100% of remaining Dining Dollars as well as FLEX balances.

• Graduation Fee

  Students who applied for graduation ceremonies for Spring or Summer 2020 will be refunded 100% of the graduation fee. This fee covers the cost of graduation materials, including folios and the printing of diplomas and commencement programs.

  Graduation Fee of $25 @ 100% = $25 refund

• Flex

  Students will be refunded 100% of their Flex balances.

Refunds Provided to All Fee-Paying Students

• Student Activity Fee of $37 = $12.00 refund

  The Activity fee funds Student Affairs staff and student employees who support student organizations, student programming, and a variety of other student support functions. Many of these functions remain operational throughout the Spring 2020 semester, with much of the work being redirected to supporting students remotely.

  In recognition of reduced programming and fewer events, 32% of the $37 Student Activity Fee that supports programming and events will be refunded.

  Student Activity Fee of $37 @ 32% = $12.00 refund

• Recreation Center Operating Fee of $50 = $6.00 refund

  The Recreation Center Operating Fee provides ongoing operating support for staff salaries, wellness programs, equipment, and maintenance for recreational areas, which will continue during the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester.

  In recognition of the closure of the Student Recreation Center, 12% of the $50 Recreation Operating Fee will be refunded.

  Student Recreation Center Operating of $50 @ 12% = $6.00 refund

• Student Union – Operating of $17 = $8.00 refund

  The Student Union Operating Fee provides ongoing operating support for staff salaries, the facility, and maintenance, which will continue during the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester.

  In recognition of the closure of the Student Union, 47% of the $17 Student Union Operating will be refunded.

  Student Union – Operating of $17@ 47% = $8.00 refund

If you Need Assistance

• Student Employment

  We understand that these unprecedented times have caused some unplanned pressures for our students.  To that end, we have worked to establish several programs that students in need should consider:

  Students that rely on campus student employment for financial stability should contact Career Opportunities at 229-333-5942 or careerops@valdosta.edu for a list of current employment opportunities available on campus.

• Temporary Financial Assistance

  The Valdosta State University Foundation has made one-time money available to the VSU Cares fund to support students in need. Awards are made to students who have demonstrated a need for temporary financial assistance.

  Priority consideration will be given to students whose futures at Valdosta State University may be in jeopardy. Each award cannot exceed $500.

  Applicants must be a current degree seeking student at Valdosta State University. VSU Cares awards are designed for students with temporary financial need, and are usually only awarded once during their Valdosta State University experience.

  Students can apply for a VSU cares award by visiting /vsucares.