Return of Unearned Tuition Assistance Funds
Students using Military Tuition Assistance (TA) to pay for Excelsior University course tuition are subject to the Department of Defense (DoD) policy that requires Excelsior to return any unearned TA funds to the military branch of service based on how much of the course was completed. Students using Military TA who withdraw from a course may owe a portion of the tuition to Excelsior and a portion to the military branch.
Department of Defense Policy: In accordance with the DoD Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding, this policy requires the return of unearned tuition assistance (TA) funds on a prorated basis through the 60% mark of an academic course. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrolled period with the unearned funds returned to the military branch from which the funds were provided if the student’s last day of attendance is on or before the 60% attendance date.
Before withdrawing from a course, students are recommended to contact their Excelsior academic advisor to determine how this policy could impact military tuition assistance and potential repayment obligations. If a service member stops attending or must withdraw due to a military service obligation, the University will work with the affected service member to identify solutions that will mitigate any student debt. Reference the Add, Drop, Cancel, Withdrawal, and Refunds for Excelsior Course procedure and the Course Extension procedure for additional information.
The standard formula for determining the amount of TA earned by the institution is calculated on a percentage basis as outlined in the charts below. This calculation, if less than the 60% completion rate, determines how much TA the student has earned and for how much the military branch may be invoiced. Should there be any remaining TA funds prior to the 60% period of a course, these funds will be reimbursed directly to the military branch from which the funds were provided, not to the student.
NOTE: After the 15th calendar day from the start of any term, a student is responsible for 100% of the tuition. If the student drops a course after the 15th calendar day, the student is billed by Excelsior for the portion of TA sent back to the branch of service. The branch of service may require repayment of the remaining tuition percentage based on their policy.
8-week Course Term Withdrawal
| Week | Student Liability to Excelsior University | Possible Student Liability to Branch of Service |
| Before or during week 1-2 | 0% | 0% |
| During week 3 | 60% | 40% |
| During weeks 4 | 50% | 50% |
| During week 5 | 40% | 60% |
| During weeks 6-8 (more than 60% of course is completed) | 0% | 100% |
15-week Course Term Withdrawal
| Week | Student Liability to Excelsior University | Possible Student Liability to Branch of Service |
| Before or during week 1 -2 | 0% | 0% |
| During week 3-4 | 75% | 25% |
| During weeks 5-7 | 50% | 50% |
| During week 8-9 | 40% | 60% |
| During weeks 10-15 (more than 60% of course is completed) | 0% | 100% |
