Dining Plan Refund Policy

Policy Owner: Finance

Policy Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish clear, equitable, and consistent guidelines for the refund of Florida Institute of Technology (the "University") meal plans. This University's approach to meal plan refunds ensures financial stewardship, compliance with state, federal and institutional regulations, and fairness in the administration of student accounts.

Policy Scope

This policy applies to all students enrolled in a University dining or flex plan, including those required to participate as a condition of on-campus residency.

Policy Statement

The University, at its sole discretion, may provide refunds for meal plans only when a student fully withdraws from the University for the academic term in which the meal plan was active. A full withdrawal prior to the start of the sixth week of classes in any academic term ends the student's eligibility to participate in campus dining programs, and therefore, qualifies the meal plan for refund consideration. Partial withdrawals, reductions in course load, or schedule adjustments do not qualify for a meal plan refund, and the meal plan will remain active and billable for the remainder of the term. This Policy ensures consistent application of charges, supports contracted dining operations, and maintains equitable treatment of all students.

Definitions

Withdrawal: the official and complete separation of a student from the University for the applicable academic term, as recorded by the Registrar. Withdrawal includes voluntary, administrative, medical, and disciplinary withdrawals unless otherwise determined by the University.

Procedures/Guidelines

Refunds are processed upon notification of withdrawal from the Registrar's Office.

No refunds will be processed after the start of the sixth week of classes, or equivalent point, as defined by the University's academic calendar for the applicable term. In accordance with applicable tax and financial regulations, unused balances remaining at the end of a term are not eligible for refund.

All refund calculations are subject to final review and determination by the University.

Refund calculations vary by meal plan type:

• Unlimited Entry Plans – Refunds are prorated based on the number of weeks remaining in the term, plus the value of unused Flex Credit.
  • (Total Plan Price - Flex Credit Included in Plan) / 16 Weeks = Weekly Refund Available
  • Weekly Refund Available x Number of Weeks Remaining in Term = Meal Refund
  • Meal Refund + Unused Flex Credit Account Funds = Total Meal Plan Refund.
• Defined Number of Meals Plans – Refunds are based on the value of unused meals plus unused Flex Credit.
  • (Total Plan Price - Flex Credit Included in Plan) / Number of Meals in the plan = Meal Value
  • Meal Value x Number of unused meals = Meal Refund
  • Meal Refund + Unused Flex Credit Account Funds = Total Meal Plan Refund
• All Flex Credit Plans – Refunds consist solely of the remaining unused Flex Credit balance.

References

On-Campus Resident Meal Plan Requirement

Academic Calendar

Responsibilities

The Registrar's office notifies Dining of the withdrawal.

Dining processes a refund to the student account.

Refunds are completed by the Bursar's office.