Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Unearned Tuition Assistance
Return of Unearned Tuition Assistance
Policy on the Return of Unearned TA Funds
Return of Tuition Assistance: Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded.
To comply with the new Department of Defense policy, SUNY ESF will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. These funds are returned to the military Service branch.
In instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the College will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion.
Schedule for Return of Unearned TA Funds
Unearned TA funds will be returned based on the week of the withdrawal date and the percentages in the table below. Withdrawal date is established as the effective date listed on the SUNY ESF Withdrawal Form.
Term Length = 15 Weeks
One Week of Instruction = 7 Days
| Week of Term | Percentage Returned |
| Before or During Week 1 (Days 1-7) | 100% Return |
| During Week 2 (Days 8 - 14) | 90% Return |
| During Week 3 (Days 15 - 21) | 80% Return |
| During Week 4 (Days 22 - 28) | 70% Return |
| During Week 5 (Days 29 - 35) | 60% Return |
| During Week 6 (Days 36 - 42) | 50% Return |
| During Week 7 (Days 43 - 49) | 40% Return |
| During Week 8 (Days 50 - 56) | 30% Return |
| During Week 9 (Days 57 - 63) | 20% Return |
| During Week 10 or later (Day 64+) | 0% Return |