Advances

Refunds

We are committed to refund eligible credit balances on your account in compliance with all applicable regulations in which the credit balance is created.

If you have a credit balance on your account, an advance is made available to you beginning on the first class day. Advances are intended to be used to cover the cost of books and supplies that are purchased from off-campus vendors. Note: This option is not available for Maymester.

Receiving advance automatically

If you have a credit balance on your account and are eligible for a refund prior to the first class day, you'll automatically receive an advance to your account as a credit up to the maximum threshold:

  • $1,000 for fall and spring terms
  • and $500 for summer terms.

When the balance due to you is less than the maximum threshold amounts, the entire balance owed will be distributed as an advance.

When will I receive my advance?

Student Business Services strives to have the advances distributed to students through BankMobile Disbursements by the third class day. You only can receive one advance per term and these are distributed regularly at the beginning of the term until regular refunds are processed. The advance will automatically be sent to the student’s account as soon as the student meets the eligibility requirements to receive a refund.

Opting out of advances

Prior to the first class day, you can opt out of this automatic advance by submitting your preference through the online Opt-Out for the Advance page within mySFA's self-service banner.

Account balances, returns and payments

It's your responsibility to ensure that all amounts due SFA are paid in a timely manner.

Refunds are processed by SFA automatically and issued based on the amounts due to you at the time of the refund. In some cases, a refund is issued and subsequently a balance is created in your account. If this occurs, or if you receive funds for which it's later determined that you're ineligible to receive, you must repay those amounts to SFA in accordance with HOP policy 05-210 (PDF), including any applicable penalties and late fees.

Any amounts not repaid may result in collection agency costs, including but not limited to any expenses, court costs, collection costs, collection agency fees and any relief to which SFA may be entitled.