Law Withdrawal/Leave of Absence and Refund Policy

Withdrawal

Students may voluntarily withdraw from the Law School at any time.  Students who wish to withdraw voluntarily should notify the Associate Dean for Student Services and Administration in writing of their decision.  A student who wishes to return to the Law School after withdrawing must apply for readmission through the regular admission process. A student will not automatically retain any scholarships awarded prior to withdrawal. 

Because a withdrawal can impact a student’s financial aid for the term in which they withdraw as well as eligibility for financial aid in future terms should they be readmitted, we strongly urge students to consult with the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing from the Law School.

A student’s withdrawal will not preclude the initiation or continuation of any School of Law Honor Code or University Standards of Conduct investigation or proceeding.

A law student who withdraws during a semester may be entitled to a refund of certain charges as outlined in the Refund Policy set forth below. Withdrawal may also affect a student's financial aid eligibility for the semester as outlined in the federal Return of Title IV Program Funds Policy and the Return of Non-Title IV Program Funds Policy.

Leave of Absence

Students who have completed at least one semester in the School of Law and who are in good standing academically and financially may request a leave of absence. Requests must be in writing and submitted to the Associate Dean for Student Services and Administration, and must state an adequate reason for the request.  In determining whether to grant the request, the Dean’s Office may require adequate documentation. Leaves are ordinarily granted for one academic semester and rarely granted for longer than two academic semesters.

The grant of a leave of absence does not extend the time limits for completion of the J.D. degree and students requesting leave must demonstrate that they will be able to complete their degree within the allowed period of study.  The law school will not accept academic credit for work completed at another school during a leave of absence without the prior written approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Because a leave of absence can impact a student’s financial aid for the term in which they take a Leave of Absence as well as eligibility for financial aid when they return, we strongly urge students to consult with the Financial Aid Office before requesting a leave of absence.

Students who have been awarded scholarships who wish to retain their scholarships upon their return must specifically request this in their written leave request.  Such requests are ordinarily granted.

Any student who has been absent for longer than an approved leave of absence or who interrupts his or her course of study without an approved leave of absence will be involuntarily withdrawn and must reapply through the regular admissions process.

A student’s Leave of Absence will not preclude the initiation or continuation of any School of Law Honor Code or University Standards of Conduct investigation or proceeding.

A law student who takes a leave of absence during a semester may be entitled to a refund of certain charges as outlined in the Refund Policy set forth below. A leave of absence may also affect a student's financial aid eligibility for the semester as outlined in the federal Return of Title IV Program Funds Policy and the Return of Non-Title IV Program Funds Policy.

Return of Title IV Program Funds Policy

The 1998 amendments to the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 and subsequent regulations issued by the Department of Education (43 CFR 668.22) establish a policy for the return of Title IV grant and loan funds for a student who withdraws or takes a leave of absence. Title IV grant and loan funds include the following programs: Federal Direct Loans, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, Federal TEACH Grant, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.

The amount of Title IV funds the student earns, up to the withdrawal or leave of absence date, is based on a daily proration determined by dividing the total number of calendar days completed by the total number of calendar days in the semester (excluding breaks of five or more consecutive days). This calculation must only be done up to the 60% point in time for the semester. After the 60% point in time, the student is considered to have earned all of the Title IV funds awarded for that semester.

Unearned Title IV funds must be returned to the Title IV programs. If the amount earned is greater than the amount that has been disbursed, the difference is treated as a late disbursement to the student. Unearned funds, up to the amount of total institutional charges (tuition, room, and board) multiplied by the unearned percentage of funds, are returned to the Title IV programs by the University of Richmond. The student must return any portion of unearned funds not returned by the school. Only 50% of unearned grants funds must be returned. Title IV loan funds that must be returned by the student are repaid per the loan terms.

Unearned Title IV funds are returned to the Title IV programs in the following order:Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans, Subsidized Direct Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grants for which a return of funds is required, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants for which a return of funds is required, TEACH Grant for which a return of funds is required, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant for which a return of funds is required.

Return of Non-Title IV Program Funds Policy

Non-Title IV financial aid will be adjusted for a law student who is withdrawing or taking a leave of absence based upon the University's Refund Policy. Adjustments will be made through the sixth week of classes. The amount to be returned to the Non-Title IV financial aid program is the same percentage that will be refunded to the student for tuition and room charges. After the sixth week the student is considered to have earned all of the Non-Title IV aid.

Non-Title IV financial aid funds are returned in the following order: institutional grants/scholarships, non-federal loans, agency scholarships.

Law

Any special fee associated with a particular course is non-refundable after the first day of class.

Appeals Process

The University of Richmond has an appeal process for students and parents who believe individual circumstances warrant exceptions from published policy.

A student or parent has six weeks from the time of withdrawal or leave of absence to appeal the University's refund policy.

All appeals must be in writing and directed to:

Annemarie Weitzel
Bursar
Box R
142 UR Drive
University of Richmond, VA 23173
bursar@richmond.edu

Please contact Student Accounts if you have any questions.

Direct Deposit of Refund Amounts

With Direct Deposit, your refund will be automatically deposited to the bank account you specify, eliminating trips to the bank and the risk of your check being lost or stolen. It can take up to two business days for a direct deposit to post to your bank account. To participate, sign up online through BannerWeb.