Billing and Refund Policy

A finance charge will be added to any account balance remaining after the first week of classes. The finance charge is assessed monthly at a rate of .417% on any unpaid balance until the account is paid in full. If full payment cannot be made by the first due date, the student is advised to consider using one of BW's monthly payment plans. There is a nominal processing fee. However, finance charges are not assessed to payment plan users who remain current with their scheduled payments. View payment instructions and access the BW Payment Portal to view and register for a payment plan and to make payments.

Students >
Authorized Users > (students can designate parents or guardians as authorized users in the Payment Portal)

Details and registration for payment plans can be found in the BW Payment Portal.

Students with delinquent billing accounts will not be allowed to register for the next semester unless full payment of the account has been received prior to the student registration appointment time. Students/families using a BW monthly payment plan must be current with their monthly payments or registration will be delayed until payments are up to date.

Students who are delinquent in meeting their financial obligations to the University are subject to additional restrictions. Certificates of credit (transcripts) or letters of honorable dismissal will not be issued. Diplomas will not be awarded. Students should contact the bursar to make arrangements to resolve their delinquent payment status.

University tuition and all related charges are adjusted based on the published billing policy. First-time BW students receiving Federal Title IV funds may be subject to a different billing policy schedule as required by federal regulation. For additional information contact the Financial Aid Office.

For refunds of student account surplus funds:

If the total of all aid funds and payments credited to a student’s account exceeds their institutional charges, the university will automatically issue a refund of the excess funds as soon as possible after the first week of classes, but no later than fourteen (14) days after the balance occurred.

All credit balance refunds are issued to the student via mailed check or direct deposit.* However, if a parent utilized a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan to cover a student’s institutional charges, a check may be issued to the borrower depending on the option they chose on the PLUS Loan application.

*A direct deposit account can be set up in the BW Payment Portal:

Current Students 
Authorized Users (Students can designate parents or guardians as authorized users in the Payment Portal)

Once in the Payment Portal, under My Profile Setup, select Electronic Refunds and follow the instructions to add your bank account information. 

Financial Aid Recalculations

A student’s financial aid may be recalculated by the financial aid office at any time due to revised federal/state awarding tables, federal verification, program eligibility, additional aid from outside sources, or changes in housing and/or enrollment status.

For refunds due to dropping classes or withdrawing:

Credit balance refunds resulting from a withdrawal will be issued within 7-14 business days after the withdrawal process is completed.

Withdrawals after the ninth week of the semester are permitted only for prolonged illness, change of employment or other circumstances beyond the student's control. Refunds after the ninth week, when permitted, are made according to the published billing policy assuming that the tuition and fees have been paid in full. View instructions to withdraw from BW. Dropping courses or withdrawing from BW may result in a refund to the student. Students should refer to the tuition refund schedule listed below for financial implications of dropped courses or a withdraw. Contact the One Stop for information on how dropped courses or a withdraw can impact financial aid.

For withdrawals before the first scheduled class at the beginning of the semester, 100 percent of the tuition charges are refunded. Room charges and Jacket Express account adjustments will be on a prorated basis.

Students who do not abide by the regulations of the residence halls or who show an unwillingness to cooperate with those in charge will be instructed to leave the residence hall. Any student leaving the residence hall or the University under disciplinary action is not entitled to any refund regardless of the time remaining in the term.

In the unlikely event that Baldwin Wallace University suspends operations, including the cancellation of classes as a result of a pandemic or other similar occurrence, the University will reopen and continue the semester as soon as feasible. Prepaid tuition, fees, room and board will not be refunded under this circumstance. All payments will be held and applied to the continued semester as though there were no interruption of services.

Tuition Refund Schedule

Necessary adjustments will be made to your student billing account if you drop a course or withdraw from BW. Tuition will be adjusted according to the following schedule:

Fall/Spring Semester*
Prior to first day of classes: 100% refund
Class Week 1: 100% refund
Class Week 2: 90% refund
Class Week 3: 70% refund
Class Week 4: 50% refund
Class Weeks 5-8: 25% refund
Class Week 9: 0% refund

Fall/Spring Minimester
Prior to first day of classes: 100% refund
Class Week 1: 100% refund
Class Week 2: 75% refund
Class Week 3: 50% refund
Class Week 4: 25% refund
Class Week 5: 0% refund

Summer*
Prior to first day of classes: 100% refund
Class Week 1: 75% refund
Class Week 2: 50% refund
Class Week 3: 25% refund
Class Week 4: 0% refund

*Workshops: No refund after start of class

Immersion Courses:
70% refund up to 20% of classes attended
50% refund up to 30% of classes attended
25% refund up to 40% of classes attended
0% refund after 40% of classes attended

Student financial aid may be impacted when dropping courses or withdrawing from the University adjusts tuition, fees or other charges. View financial aid FAQs.

Resolve registration hold: Learn the steps you need to take if you are unable to register for your next semester due to a financial hold.