Some NJ universities to offer prorated refunds due to COVID-19 (updated)

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Seton Hall University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rutgers University, Montclair State University and The College of New Jersey will refund students who have moved away from campus housing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many universities are giving students the option of being graded on a pass or fail basis, or they can still be graded on a traditional scale of A, B, C, D, or F. Students have left campus housing in accordance with orders from governmental and health authorities. Colleges have also cancelled graduation ceremonies or made plans to move them online.

The Seton Hall board of regents voted unanimously to issue prorated refunds or credits for room, board and parking fees. The details are under development and will be shared as soon as possible, spokeswoman Laurie Pine said.

Fairleigh Dickinson University President Christopher Capuano has also committed to providing prorated refunds for spring semester room and board. In a letter posted on the FDU website, Capuano wrote, “[W]e still need to determine the details and will share more information concerning refunds as soon as possible.”

“Now that we know we won’t have students returning for courses on campus this semester, we again ask that those students remaining in the residence halls to please move to other locations if possible,” Capuano wrote. “However, those who do not have alternative housing accommodation may remain for the duration of the spring semester. For those who still have their belongings in the residence halls, we will lock your rooms and secure your belongings until social distancing measures are relaxed and it is safe to return to campus to collect your belongings and move out of your rooms fully.”

Rutgers will issue prorated refunds for affected services, including housing and dining. Rutgers is working on the details of what will be refunded, and how, and will make the information available to students as soon as possible, spokeswoman Dory Devlin said.

Rowan University Vice President for University Relations Joe Cardona told NJBIZ that Rowan is “trying to figure out how to compensate students. Different universities are looking at it in different ways. Some are looking at refunds; others are looking at credit or a combination.”

Universities are factoring in tuition, meal plans, housing, and the year of the student.

Montclair State University is also working on a refund policy and hopes to have details to share with our campus very soon, spokeswoman Erika Bleiberg said.

The College of New Jersey will process prorated room, board and selected fee refunds for seniors or credits to accounts for non-seniors by the end of the semester, spokesman Luke Sacks said.

Editor’s note: THis article was updated on March 27, 2020 at 11:29 a.m. EST to add that many colleges are offering Pass/Fail grading on remote classes.