Refunds

Eligible over-payments are refunded in a weekly payment cycle run by the University and typically reach the student within 1-2 weeks.

• Overpayments are represented as a credit balance, or negative value (i.e., –$200) on your billing statement. While this typically indicates that you are due a refund, that is not always the case. Overpayments from certain types of financial aid, scholarships, or third-party payments cannot always be refunded to a student. In those cases, the refund would be issued back to the financial aid source, scholarship fund, or third-party payer. To inquire about whether an overpayment on your account is eligible for a refund, please contact bursar@slu.cuny.edu
• Refunds are released in a weekly payment cycle run by the University and will reach the student within 1-2 weeks. However, overpayments from checks, eChecks, and 529 Plans are subject to a 21-day waiting period before the system can issue a refund to the student.
• Refund checks are issued, by default, to the mailing address on file; Students whose refund check was lost or stolen must contact bursar@slu.cuny.edu – Please be sure to always keep your mailing address current in CUNYfirst!
• Checks expire five months or 150-days from the check date. Students should cash their refund check promptly by depositing it into their bank account or cashing it for free at any Citibank branch.
• All refunds, except for those from a Parent-Plus Loan, are made payable to the student. This includes check payments made from an account owned by a parent, guardian, or other relation
• Students who no longer wish to receive a paper check must add a direct deposit account to CUNYfirst. For assistance with adding direct deposit to CUNYfirst, please contact bursar@slu.cuny.edu.
  

Direct Deposit is a faster and safer alternative to paper checks. Quick Reference Guide

Direct Deposit is a faster and safer alternative to paper checks. Direct deposit is an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transaction where money is electronically deposited into a checking or savings account. Students who do not have a checking account are strongly encouraged to open one. Several retail banks offer checking account options for college students. Inquire with your bank of choice on how to open up a college account.

To sign up for Direct Deposit, it is recommended that the student:

• Be the sole owner of the bank account used to receive financial aid funds
• Never share their CUNYfirst login or password information
• Check with their financial institution (bank, credit union) before signing up
• Ensure they are submitting their correct routing and account numbers to prevent any delays in receiving financial aid or a potential loss of financial aid funds if incorrect bank information was provided

Refunds are issued via Direct Deposit for students who have opted-in on CUNYfirst > Self Service > Campus Finances > Enroll in Direct Deposit. Students who enroll in Direct Deposit will no longer receive paper checks by mail, unless consent is revoked in CUNYfirst.

Direct deposit issues or errors should be reported to bursar@slu.cuny.edu. Typically, the routing number and/or account number is incorrect. In this case, the transaction will fail. The student should update their checking/savings account by re-enrolling in Direct Deposit. A new refund is issued with 3-5 weeks.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their bank information is correct when they sign up for direct deposit. Funds incorrectly deposited to another account due to incorrect routing and/or account numbers may require the student to work directly with the financial institution to resolve the matter.