When Academic Dates Change, so does Disbursement, Refunds, & the Payment Deadline

November 16, 2020

As you read about in last month’s edition, the Faculty Senate voted to adjust the Spring 2021 academic calendar and the team in the Registrar’s Office worked closely with the Academic Affairs Continuity team (AACT) to make quick changes to the Schedule of Classes to reflect the decision. And when the academic calendar changes with adjusted session dates and deadlines, it means both the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Bursar’s Office must also adjust their dates to remain in line and compliant. The *NEW* Spring 2021 Dates/Deadlines for OSFA/Bursar

Saturday, January 16th	*Financial aid for the spring term will begin disbursing to student accounts.
Monday, January 18th	*Martin Luther King Jr Day, most campus offices will be closed including both the Bursar’s Office and the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Tuesday, January 19th	eRefunds begin processing and can take 1-3 business days to reach the student’s bank account. eRefunds are the quickest and safest way to receive a refund.*
Tuesday, January 19th	*Spring eBills will be published, an email will be sent to the student and their authorized payer(s).
Wednesday, January 20th	Paper check refunds begin processing and can take 7-10 business days to reach a student’s mailing address. Paper check refunds (including Parent PLUS refund checks*) are processed once a week. Students needs to make sure their mailing address is up to date.
Friday, February 5th	*Student Account payments due for Spring 2021/Badger Pay 1st Installment Due

Because financial aid disbursement begins over a holiday weekend, we are encouraging students to wait to check their online Student Account until the afternoon of Tuesday 1/19 so our teams have ample time for processing. That is when students will see the most up to date and clear picture of which financial aid has been applied, if a refund (if due to them) was sent, and any balance they may owe. The Bursar’s Office will be sending an email communication to all students with the change in dates and more information right before the Thanksgiving holiday. The OSFA team is standing by to help students plan for this change as it may create some budgeting challenges for some students that depend on their refund to pay for January expenses. There will also be notes within other campus communications in the coming weeks/months as well as plenty of social media buzz from the OSFA accounts to improve awareness around the changes.