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Monday, March 30, 2020

Dear Fellow Penguins,

Thank you all for your terrific efforts in adjusting to our remote teaching and learning environment. You, the faculty and our tireless IT staff have certainly made us all Y and Proud.

There have been many very good questions recently relating to financial matters, particularly student refunds. After significant discussion with our Finance team and others, we have put together the following Q&A to help answer those questions.

Thank you for your understanding. With continued diligence for social distancing over the next few months, we will get through this and be back together to enjoy the campus environment that so many have helped create.

Stay well, be safe and Go Penguins,

James P. Tressel, President

Q: Will I receive a refund of my tuition and fees?
A: Because YSU moved to remote instruction for the remainder of spring semester, you will receive a pro-rated refund of the general fee, health center fee and parking/transportation fee that appeared on your spring 2020 tuition bill. Because instruction continues remotely, there will not be a refund of the instructional fee or lab fees.
Q: If I am on a scholarship, will I get a refund?
A: You will only be refunded a portion of fees that were paid out-of-pocket or via personal loans. Students cannot be refunded any portion of fees that were covered by financial aid from the University, the YSU Foundation or another third party.
Q: How was my refund calculated?
A: Because remote instruction began mid-way through the spring semester, your refund will reflect a pro-rated portion of the general fee, health center fee and parking/transportation fee that appeared on your spring 2020 tuition bill. (The details of the pro-rata calculation are under development.)
Q: When will I receive my refund?
A: It is our goal to issue refunds during the first week of April.
Q: If I still owe a balance on my tuition bill, will I get a refund?
A: If you have a balance due, your refund will be reduced by the amount owed.
Q: Will I receive a room and board refund?
A: If you lived in a YSU residence hall and have moved out of your room, you will receive a pro-rated refund of room and board in the same manner as the tuition refund described above.
If I received a scholarship or award that paid toward my housing, will I get a housing refund?
A: You will only be refunded a portion of fees that were paid out-of-pocket or via personal loans. Students cannot be refunded any portion of fees that were covered by financial aid from the University, the YSU Foundation or another third party.
Q: Will I receive a refund if I move out of my apartment-style housing?
A: After consulting with our Housing office and our public-private partners, the decision has been made that we will be unable to refund and/or set aside our lease agreements, including Courtyard Apartments and other private apartments around campus, i.e. the Edge, Enclave and Flats.

Unlike our university dormitory-style residences, campus apartments offer the privacy of bedrooms and bathrooms suitable in these times of social distancing. The biggest reality we face regarding our campus apartments is the significant investment, risk and debt that has accompanied the building of these facilities. YSU still has significant debt service on the Courtyard Apartments.

In the early 2000s, our student body strongly encouraged the university to invest in apartment-style living that would create a more private, attractive and independent lifestyle. In addition, students living in such apartments would not need to purchase a meal plan, saving money. Beginning in 2010, students requested even more apartment-living options and other campus amenities, which eventually resulted in the YSU Barnes and Noble bookstore, the new Chipotle restaurant and the new Mercy Health Clinic on Wick Avenue. We also sought outside investors for additional apartment projects, and we were fortunate that three such investors took the risk and invested heavily in building The Flats, Erie Terminal, The Edge and The Enclave apartments. Through their investments and belief in YSU, the campus has thrived and the downtown enhanced. As is the case all over the nation, these investors are unable to financially sustain if they were to consider refunds on their properties. While we are aware that his may create some individual hardships, for the good of the future of our campus, this is the direction we must take. Please keep in touch with your property managers if you have particular situations at hand.

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One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH | 44555 US

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