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COVID-19 Information and FAQ

The Office of the University Bursar remains open to address the needs of the university community impacted by the COVID-19 event. Please check our web page here ( www.bursar.vt.edu ) for office hours. We encourage students and family members to use their online 24/7 account access and recommend email as the most accessible customer service option at this time.

Will There be a Refund of Payments Made for the Spring Semester?

Get the latest university COVID-19 information here. Updates are being posted regularly on VT News and communicated through email.  The university has currently authorized unspent meal plan balances to roll forward and a refund of $800 to $1,000 to students cancelling their room contracts.  Where a cash refund is applicable such as graduating student, the credit will be applied to the student’s account.  Visit www.hokiepassport.vt.edu for dining plan details. Room rebates will be applied upon confirmation of student having successfully completed the move-out process.  In addition to room and meal plan balances, the university is in the process of issuing credits to students enrolled in summer or spring study abroad trips that have been cancelled as result of COVID19.  Please look for communications from your program leaders and departments. Read on...

When Will I Get My Refund?

The Bursar’s Office initiates direct deposit of credit balances on student accounts within 7 – 10 business days after the charge adjustments are provided.  Students who are not enrolled in direct deposit are encouraged to do so as soon as possible through Hokiespa to avoid delays in receipt of paper checks.  We understand that family financial resources maybe be impacted and further limited as the pandemic event continues.  The Bursar staff is committed to working quickly with partners across campus to process charge reductions and initiate refunds.

Will tuition be reduced for upcoming semesters due to COVID-19?

Current tuition charges reflect the cost to deliver instruction regardless of modality (in-person, virtual, or a combination). The most significant costs of instruction are the salaries and benefits of faculty and staff, who have been working through the spring and into the fall to deliver the highest-quality educational experience possible with the academic rigor expected at Virginia Tech. The campus disruption and the move to deliver classes online have actually led to increased costs in many parts of the university. Though many personnel and technology costs have increased, the university’s Board of Visitors recently approved both a tuition freeze and an increase in student financial aid to help students and their families during this unprecedented time.

Will comprehensive fees be reduced for virtual learners?

Virginia Tech seeks to ensure a holistic, vibrant student experience that meets student needs and expectations and is sensitive to the overall cost of education. Comprehensive fees are a mandatory cost of attendance for students matriculating to the Blacksburg campus that support the operation of self-supporting (auxiliary enterprise) units that provide services for the benefit of all students. For students enrolled less than full-time, the comprehensive fee is pro-rated. In recognition of students living and studying away from the Blacksburg campus, comprehensive fees may be reduced by $300 per semester for full-time students enrolled in an all-virtual schedule and who certify that they will reside more than 50 miles from the Blacksburg campus for the entire semester. More information and an application form can be found here.  To be considered, this form must be submitted by the last day to add courses each term.

For a list and description of fees click here.  This site outlines the mandatory fees, comprehensive fee components, supplemental program fees specific to individual colleges, and more. Mandatory fees cover the estimated cost of delivering a bundled set of services. These bundled services are designed as part of the total cost of attendance, without regard to individual usage of each service, to create the maximum community benefit at the lowest cost.

Some Students May Be Eligible for Financial Aid

Students with a dramatic change in their economic situation are encouraged to consult with the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid. Students that encounter the significant loss of financial resources but have not previously completed a FAFSA may still submit a FAFSA in order to qualify for support. In cases where a parent loses his or her employment as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, financial aid administrators may be able to adjust and thereby increase a student's aid.  "The use of professional judgment where students and/or their families have been affected by COVID-19 is permitted, such as in the case where an employer closes for a period of time as a result of COVID-19," guidance from the Education Department reads.

Support and care for students in the midst of crisis may also be available through the Office of the Dean of Students.