If your financial aid and/or payments are more than your institutional charges, you will be refunded the difference. We strive to process refunds as quickly as possible. The fastest way to receive your refund is through ACH (direct deposit) to a U.S. bank account.
Access the Nelnet Refund Portal
Refund Availability & Options
- When should I expect my refund for the summer 2025 semester?
- When should I expect my refund for the fall 2025 semester?
- When should I expect my refund for the spring 2025 semester?
- What are my refund options?
- How do I sign up for direct deposit or change my refund preference?
- How do I set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) with an app?
- How do I set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) with an email address?
- What happens if I do not choose a refund option?
- How do I change the address that the paper check refund will be sent to?
- I'm a parent who is due a refund from a Parent PLUS Loan. How do I set up my refund preference?
- Who does WVU partner with for refunding services?
Troubleshooting
- Why is my refund showing in my charges?
- I have not received my paper refund check. How can I get this money?
- What do I do if my paper refund check went to an old address?
- What do I do if my Student ID is not working to create my TMS Refund Portal account?
- What if I am having issues logging into my Nelnet Refund Portal?
- My direct deposit was returned to the University, so I updated my information. What do I do now?
Reducing Charges
- Is my tuition reduced if I drop classes?
- Are my charges reduced if I change my dining plan or on-campus housing or withdraw?
Refund Availability & Options
When should I expect my refund for the summer 2025 semester?
Visit our Aid Disbursements and Refunds webpage for information on summer financial aid disbursement.
Disbursement of financial aid will occur on the first day of your first course(s) for the summer. Initial disbursement will be based on your overall enrollment at the time of disbursement.
So, if you have the Federal Pell Grant and federal loans:
- If your first 3 credit hours start on May 19 and your next 3 credit hours start on June 30, both your Pell Grant and loans will disburse on May 19.
- If you have 6 credit hours that all start on June 30, your grant and loans will disburse on June 30.
Be sure to monitor your summer schedule carefully. Adjustments to your schedule at any point during the summer can impact your aid eligibility, which could result in the removal of financial aid – such as the Federal Pell Grant or loans – even if it’s already been disbursed to you. This may require you to pay for courses out of pocket or return money you received as a refund. Summer Pell Grant recipients should also review the information on disbursement and summer enrollment changes on our Summer Federal Pell Grant webpage.
Students whose financial aid and payments are more than their institutional charges will have a refund processed after all payments are applied and all aid disburses to generate the refund. For more information on refunds, please visit our Refunds webpage.
It also depends on where you are in the refund cycle, which includes:
- Aid disbursement
- Negative "balance due" on your student account after aid or payments
- Refund processed (Student Refund showing on your WVU MyAccount via your WVU Portal)
- Refund deposited in your bank account or check printed and mailed
When should I expect my refund for the fall 2025 semester?
For those who were signed up for direct deposit, refunds may be available in bank accounts on or around August 20, 2025.
It also depends on where you are in the refund cycle, which includes:
- Aid disbursement
- Negative "balance due" on your student account after aid or payments
- Refund processed (Student Refund showing on your WVU MyAccount via your WVU Portal)
- Refund deposited in your bank account or check printed and mailed
When Should I Expect My Refund for the Spring 2025 Semester?
For those who were signed up for direct deposit, refunds may be available in bank accounts on or around January 13, 2025.
It also depends on where you are in the refund cycle, which includes:
- Aid disbursement
- Negative "balance due" on your student account after aid or payments
- Refund processed (Student Refund showing on your WVU MyAccount via your WVU Portal)
- Refund deposited in your bank account or check printed and mailed
What are my refund options?
Your refund method may depend on the payment method generating the refund as well as what refund option you have chosen.
- Most Payment Methods (such as financial aid, credit card, eCheck, paper check)
- Tuition Payment Plan
- Third-Party Payments
Most Payment Methods
If your refund is being created by payments from financial aid, credit card, eCheck, or paper check, you can choose either direct deposit or paper check for your refund. If direct deposit is not set up, it will default to a paper check refund. Please note that there is a 14-day waiting period after an eCheck or paper check payment posts to guarantee clearance of the funds before we begin the refund process.
- Direct Deposit: This is the fastest way to get your refund! Your funds can be transferred to any U.S. bank of your choice by signing up for direct deposit. To sign up, visit the Nelnet Refund Portal. If you are a parent receiving a refund for a Parent PLUS loan, review the instructions for parents to set up direct deposit for their PLUS loans.
- Paper Check: Those not signed up for direct deposit will receive a paper check which will be mailed to the mailing/local address on file in the STAR system (which you can access and update via your WVU Portal). This process can take more than 14 business days after payment/aid disburses to your student account, depending on mailing times.
Tuition Payment Plan
If your tuition payment plan is set up for more than your remaining balance due for the semester - and you still have remaining payments on the plan - we highly recommend that you reduce your payment plan instead of continuing to make payments on your plan after your balance due has been paid for the semester. The only exception to this would be if you intend to add more charges for the semester - such as adding additional courses or adjusting a dining plan.
If your tuition payment plan is not adjusted and you continue to make payments over your balance due, those funds will not be refunded until your payment plan has been completed. You may still choose direct deposit or paper check for these refunds.
Third-Party Payments
If your refund is generated by an official contract on your account with a third-party sponsor, those refunds may take a little longer. They must be manually processed since the funds have not actually been received from the sponsor. For fall and spring semesters, the manual process usually begins the week before classes start, which means you probably will not see your refund in your bank account until the second week of classes (if you set up direct deposit). For the summer semester, this manual process begins on the first day of classes. These refunds continue to be manually processed twice a week throughout the semester as new sponsorship contracts are received.
You may still choose direct deposit or paper check for these refunds.
How do I sign up for direct deposit or change my refund preference?
When students are issued a refund, they will receive an email with instructions on how to establish an account through the Nelnet Refund Portal. If you do not receive an email or you lose your email, go to the Nelnet Refund Portal. Once your account is set up, Nelnet allows you to check the status of your refund, view refund history, update your profile or change your refund method.
If you need further assistance, please check the FAQs below or call 888-425-1138.
To sign up for direct deposit, update your refund method, or update your bank account for direct deposit use the steps below.
- Log in to the Nelnet Refund Portal with your WVU username and password
- On the following screen, select “Student and Parent Refunds”
- Then click the button for “Student Login”
- Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) using an authenticator app or an email address.
- Once in the Nelnet Refund Portal, click on the “Edit Refund Method” link under the Refund Method section
- From the following screen you can edit or select the refund method you would prefer and input the appropriate information for each method
If a refund is already in process, it will go to the previously selected method. Once the method is changed, then any new refunds will be the new preference selected.
For information on how parents can sign up to receive their refund via direct deposit, please refer to the I'm a Parent Who Is Due a Refund from a Parent PLUS Loan. How Do I Set Up My Refund Preference? section.
How do I set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) with an app?
If you do not have MFA setup, please use the following steps to complete the required set up process using one of the apps listed below.
- Google Authenticator
- Microsoft Authenticator
- Authy by Twilio
- Lastpass
- 2FA Authenticator
- Duo Mobile
- Aegis Authenticator
Student Instructions
- Log in to the Nelnet Refund Portal with your WVU username and password.
- On the following screen, select “Student and Parent Refunds.”
- Then click the button for “Student Login.”
- Click on the "Begin" button on the Set Up Enhanced Profile Security Features screen.
- On the following screen, you will be asked to select a method for authentication. Click the "Sign Up Using App" button to proceed.
- A QR code will appear on the following screen which you may scan with your preferred application's QR code reader or input the code displayed above the QR code graphic into your app.
- Next, please use the verification code displayed on your phone to verify.
- Be sure to save the backup recovery codes on the next screen in a safe place in case you need them in the future, then click the "Next" button.
- Once you see the "Success! Your profile is more secure." screen, click the "Next" button.
- Please use the following screen to set up two authentication questions, and select the "Save" when you are ready to proceed.
Parent or Guest Instructions
- Log in to the Nelnet Refund Portal with your WVU username and password.
- On the following screen, select “Student and Parent Refunds.”
- Then click the button for “Parent Login.”
- Click on the "Begin" button on the Set Up Enhanced Profile Security Features screen.
- On the following screen, you will be asked to select a method for authentication. Click the "Sign Up Using App" button to proceed.
- A QR code will appear on the following screen which you may scan with your preferred application's QR code reader or input the code displayed above the QR code graphic into your app.
- Next, please use the verification code displayed on your phone to verify.
- Be sure to save the backup recovery codes on the next screen in a safe place in case you need them in the future, then click the "Next" button.
- Once you see the "Success! Your profile is more secure." screen, click the "Next" button.
- Please use the following screen to set up two authentication questions, and select the "Save" when you are ready to proceed.
How do I set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) with an email address?
If you do not have MFA setup, please use the following steps to complete the required set up process.
Student Instructions
- Log in to the Nelnet Refund Portal with your WVU username and password.
- On the following screen, select “Student and Parent Refunds.”
- Then click the button for “Student Login.”
- Click on the "Begin" button on the Set Up Enhanced Profile Security Features screen.
- On the following screen, you will be asked to select a method for authentication. Click the "Sign Up Using Email" button to proceed.
- Next, select one of the email accounts previously set up on your Nelnet account, and click on the "Next" button.
- Check the email account you selected to find the verification email from Nelnet Campus Commerce, and input the code listed into your MFA setup screen before clicking the "Submit" button.
- Please use the following screen to set up two authentication questions, and select the "Save" when you are ready to proceed.
Parent Instructions
- Log in to the Nelnet Refund Portal with your WVU username and password.
- On the following screen, select “Student and Parent Refunds.”
- Then click the button for “Parent Login.”
- Click on the "Begin" button on the Set Up Enhanced Profile Security Features screen.
- On the following screen, you will be asked to select a method for authentication. Click the "Sign Up Using Email" button to proceed.
- Next, select one of the email accounts previously set up on your Nelnet account, and click on the "Next" button.
- Check the email account you selected to find the verification email from Nelnet Campus Commerce, and input the code listed into your MFA setup screen before clicking the "Submit" button.
- Please use the following screen to set up two authentication questions, and select the "Save" when you are ready to proceed.
What happens if I do not choose a refund option?
If a student’s refund option has not been chosen at least a week prior to their refund date, the system automatically defaults to a paper check that will be mailed to the student’s mailing/local address in the STAR system (which you can access and update via your WVU Portal). If a parent’s refund option has not been chosen at least a week prior to their refund date, the system automatically defaults to a paper check that will be mailed to the address the parent listed on the Parent PLUS loan application.
How do I change the address that the paper check refund will be sent to?
Update your mailing/local address in the STAR system (which you can access via your WVU Portal) and this information will be transmitted to Nelnet the next business day (cutoff time for changes is 2:30 p.m. Eastern).
- Log into your WVU Portal and click on the “STAR” button.
- Select “Personal Information” tab or select “Personal Information” from the main menu.
- Navigate to “Personal Information” option.
- Under the “Address” section, click on the pencil icon under “Mailing/Local Address” option.
- Fill in your mailing/local address and select “update” to save your changes.
I'm a parent who is due a refund from a parent PLUS loan. How do I set up my refund preference?
Parents due a refund from Federal Parent PLUS Loan funds remaining after institutional charges have been paid can choose to sign up for direct deposit on the Nelnet Refund Portal.
Before a parent borrower can sign up:
- The parent PLUS loan must have been approved.
- The Parent PLUS Loan Application must have been received and processed by WVU (i.e. showing as accepted on the student's financial aid).
- The parent borrower must have indicated they wanted the refund to go to the parent - not the student - when they submitted their PLUS application.
After the PLUS application is received and processed for parents who had set up direct deposit under WVU's previous refund partner -- and all criteria above have been met -- parent borrowers will receive a registration email. These emails began reaching parents on November 30, 2021 for the spring 2022 semester.
To sign up, the parent borrower should follow the instructions below.
- In the email account submitted on the Parent PLUS Loan Application, the parent will receive a registration email. In that email the parent will need to click the link to the WVU Guest Invitation webpage.
- On that screen, they will select the "Parent Login" button
- Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) using an authenticator app or an email address.
- On the following page, they will create their refund profile
- If their account setup was successful, they should receive a confirmation email
Please note that the link in the registration email will expire after 30 days.
- Example Parent: Patty Parent was born on 05/01/1973 and her student’s ID number is 701123456.
- Log in Question 1: Parent ID is 701123456PP0573
- Question 2: Parent Date of Birth in the YYYY-MM-DD format is 1973-05-01
- Question 3: Last four letters of the parent's last name are RENT
Depending on various factors – such as your student’s other financial aid – a refund may be generated to your student based on remaining funds from their other financial aid and/or you based on remaining PLUS loan funds after institutional charges have been paid. If there are PLUS loan funds remaining after the balance due is paid, you may receive a refund. This applies specifically to situations where there are PLUS loan funds remaining after the balance is paid. It is possible that a refund could be generated to your student instead because the refund is caused by other financial aid – such as institutional or state scholarships or grants – instead of the PLUS Loan.
Also, please remember that as part of your loan application, you affirmed that your PLUS funds would be used for your student’s educational expenses. Educational expenses may include tuition and fees; on-campus housing and food (or a reasonable housing and food allowance for off-campus students); and books, supplies, transportation (excluding car payments), loan fees, and, if applicable, dependent care. It can also include other expenses like an allowance for the rental or one-time purchase of a personal computer, costs related to a disability not covered by other funds, or costs for eligible study-abroad programs.
Who does WVU partner with for refunding services?
WVU partners with Nelnet to provide refund services to WVU students.
Per Department of Education Regulations for Cash Management (34 CFR 668), below is WVU’s contract with Nelnet.
View the Tuition Management Systems contract.
Troubleshooting
Why Is My Refund Showing in My Charges?
For an explanation and example, see our Why Student Refund Shows in Charges page.
I have not received my paper refund check. How can I get this money?
Please be aware that it can take more than 14 business days after payment/aid disburses to your student account for you to receive a paper check refund, depending on mailing times.
If your refund is being created due to an eCheck or paper check payment, there is a 14-day waiting period after a check payment posts to guarantee clearance of the funds before we can even begin the refund process. Also, there are additional considerations to be aware of for tuition payment plans and third-party sponsorships.
If the time frames above have passed and you still have not received your paper check refund, please notify the WVU Hub. The check will have to be voided – which can take 2 to 3 days – then a new refund check can be reissued.
Before contacting us, we recommend:
- Set up direct deposit before requesting that your refund be reissued. Direct deposit is the fastest and easiest way to get your refund, and it can help prevent this delay in the future!
- If you would like to keep your refund option as a paper check, make sure that your mailing/local address on file in the STAR system (which you can access and update via your WVU Portal) is accurate before contacting us to reissue the check.
What do I do if my paper refund check went to an old address?
If you forgot to update your mailing/local address in STAR before your paper check refund was sent, the fastest thing to do is to contact the U.S. Postal Service to request that your mail be forwarded from your old address. As of our most recent check with USPS, there is a $1 charge for them to do this. However, it is the fastest way to get the paper check.
If you would like your refund reissued instead, please refer to the I Have Not Received My Paper Refund Check. How Can I Get This Money? section for how to have the funds reissued to you as either direct deposit or a paper check.
What Do I Do if My Student ID Is Not Working to Create My TMS Payment Portal Account?
Review your authentication questions to make sure you are answering them correctly. If that still doesn’t work, call 888-425-1138 for assistance.
What if I am having issues logging into my Nelnet refund portal?
You may encounter an issue logging in from work computers or other public computers. Try logging in from your personal computer. If it still does not let you in, call the ITS Help Desk at 304-293-4444 for assistance.
My direct deposit was returned to the University, so I updated my information. What do I do now?
If your refund disbursed to your bank account through your direct deposit but was returned because the bank account information was incorrect, the refund will be reissued after you update your direct deposit information. Once it has been updated, your refund request will be resubmitted within 24-48 business hours.
Reducing Charges
Is my tuition reduced if I drop classes?
It depends. Students who withdraw from classes during certain time frames may be entitled to a reduction of all or a portion of their tuition, depending on the length of the class, date of withdrawal, and how many credit hours the student is enrolled in. Visit the Withdrawal webpage for more information. We recommend students consult their academic advisor as well as the WVU Hub before withdrawing from classes to ensure they're aware of any financial effects the changes might have.
Are my charges reduced if I change my dining plan or on-campus housing or withdraw?
If you change your dining plan or on-campus housing or withdraw, you should contact WVU Dining Services for dining plans and WVU Housing for on-campus housing to find out if your charges will be reduced. There may be a reduction based on when you change/withdraw. Please note that there also may be limitations or deadlines to when dining plans or housing can be adjusted for the year or semester.