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LIST: College students across Florida getting millions in refunds for unused amenities

The University of North Florida says it's refunding over $4.5 million in housing and dining fees to help address challenges presented by the virus.

College and university students across the state of Florida are being reimbursed for amenities they may not have been able to use due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

That includes millions in unused dining and housing credits at schools like Florida State, Florida State College at Jacksonville and The University of North Florida.

Here is a complete list of refunds available to students. First Coast News will update it when new information becomes available.

  • The University of North Florida (UNF)

The University of North Florida says it's refunding over $4.5 million in housing and dining fees to help address challenges presented by the virus.

This includes a dining refund plan for students who have paid or have been assessed dining charges for the Spring 2020 semester.

"To date, UNF has refunded 3,199 students totaling $2,941,187 for housing and refunded 2,802 students $1,564,257 for dining refunds," the school said in a statement to First Coast News. 

RELATED: UNF refunds students over $4.5 million

  • The University of Central Florida

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the University of Central Florida has taken progressive steps with the best interest of our students and their families in mind.

On March 26, a plan to refund housing costs was unanimously approved by UCF’s Board of Trustees. Refunds were processed during the week of March 29. The refunds included students’ housing costs from late March through April 28, which represents approximately 25 percent of the spring semester.

 On April 8, UCF issued prorated dining membership refunds to students who are no longer living on campus and have discontinued use of their dining memberships. The prorated refund was based on the unused portion of their dining membership for the spring 2020 semester.

The University of Central Florida has not issued parking refunds.

While many on-campus locations are physically closed, most UCF facilities are operating virtually, including career services, academic advising, counseling services, library services, student legal aid, and many others.

  • Florida State University (FSU)

FSU issued refunds to students in mid-April for unused housing and dining plans this semester. No classes were canceled, just shifted to remote learning, so there were no refunds for tuition or fees.

  • The University of Florida (UF)

UF and its dining service provider Aramark plan to offer students partial refunds for those who left campus early this semester due to COVID-19.

For students who occupied campus housing for the entire semester, UF will not offer partial refunds. However, students who removed all personal property from their rooms and formally checked out with Student Affairs/Housing before March 24 will be offered a pro-rated refund of the housing payment for the Spring semester, based on the checkout date.

Students who are no longer on campus and have discontinued use of their meal plan after March 23 will also receive a prorated refund for the unused portion of their meal plan.

Refunds will be applied to students’ university accounts.

  • Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ)

Students who are eligible for stimulus funding must have been enrolled in the spring term for at least one class that was face-to-face or hybrid and then changed to distance learning during the impacts of COVID-19 and eligible for federal financial aid. 

If a student started the Spring term as an online student, with all classes being offered through distance learning, they are not eligible to receive student stimulus funds.

Students enrolled in Spring Term and were registered for at least one class that changed from face-to-face or hybrid to fully online will receive $300 but must have a FAFSA on file.

Students who meet the above criteria (but for summer) and were registered for a class at the time that it changed from face-to-face or hybrid to fully online will receive $180.

FSCJ is finalizing an application process to determine additional funds to be distributed. 

  • Edward Waters College

For information regarding student refunds and stimulus funding information, click here.

  • Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU)

$2,485,226 in Housing Credits for 2177 students            

$1,795,515 in Meal Plans for 2992 students.

The credits reflect the money credited to the students. Those who had outstanding and unpaid balances would receive refunds after outstanding fees were paid.

Jacksonville University (JU)

Jacksonville University does not charge separate fees for access to campus facilities like the wellness center or pool. 

Jacksonville University continues to closely monitor the global COVID-19 outbreak and the latest recommendations from local, state and federal authorities. With the spring semester behind us and distance learning continuing through Summer II terms, the University is taking steps now to plan for the possibility of students returning to campus later this year, when it is deemed safe to do so. The safety of our students, faculty and staff remains at the center of all the University’s decision making. To that end, the University has established a new task force of experienced senior leaders and experts to explore all options for our fall semester, a process many other universities are beginning as well. The task force will assist in developing plans and policies that align with government and accreditation guidelines within areas such as academic instruction, housing, dining, events, activities, and the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing our facilities. 

Once it is safe for students to return to campus, there may be modifications to our normal campus operations and activities that promote social distancing and other government recommendations. These are among the many considerations the task force will be tackling in the weeks ahead, and the University will communicate those decisions as they are finalized by the senior leadership team. Through the summer, University Communications will continue updating the campus regularly with important reminders and new information related to this ongoing public health and economic emergency. Please be sure to check your email, WAVE online, and www.ju.edu/coronavirus for the latest information. We look forward to the day our Dolphin family can safely be together again on our beautiful campus.  

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