Penn State does not plan to refund tuition — but it is partially refunding housing, meal plans
Penn State students will receive prorated housing and meal plan refunds — which should reportedly cost the university about $40 million in revenue — although the university will not offer tuition refunds as classes continue online, a spokesperson confirmed Thursday.
The announcement came a day after Penn State suspended in-person classes for the rest of the semester amid concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
The university had already outlined its plan to refund housing and meal plans Monday, but the $40 million figure was not known at that point. It’s still not yet known how the refund process will work, but the university asked for patience while it focuses on the details.
Despite that move, Penn State does not plan to issue tuition refunds, partially or otherwise.
“Unfortunately, we believe the cost of fulfilling our educational commitment in a remote setting is likely higher, and there are no plans to issue tuition refunds,” spokesperson Wyatt DuBois said in an email. “Lab experiments are being video streamed, technical, research and operational infrastructure needs are being met, training and technology solutions are being delivered on an unprecedented scale, and more. The university is delivering on our educational promise to our students and will continue to do so.”
An online petition circulated last week, demanding both tuition and housing/meal refunds, for Penn State students. It received more than 6,500 signatures before closing — but the university declined to acquiesce to the tuition request.
Although in-person classes are suspended, instructors and professors continue to teach online.
“The full resources of the university are behind meeting student learning objectives and classes will continue remotely so students can complete their semesters successfully,” DuBois added.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 5:20 PM.
