Tuition Refund for Students Who Withdrew as a Result of Hurricane Sandy

SUNY is Authorizing Each Campus President to Waive Tuition Liability and to Refund Tuition

The State University of New York Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution authorizing campus presidents to refund tuition to students forced to withdraw because of the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy. 

"SUNY students whose studies were disrupted by Hurricane Sandy need not worry about getting their money back and can instead focus their energy on their families and rebuilding," Governor Cuomo said.

"SUNY campuses have served as staging areas for emergency relief workers and opened their doors as shelters for their neighbors in need. Students from across the state have organized donations and fundraisers. I commend Chancellor Zimpher and Chairman McCall for their continued partnership in the state’s response and recovery efforts."

SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman H. Carl McCall stated, "We are proud to offer our students affected by this devastating storm a way to recover any costs associated with a SUNY education that they are unable to complete. Governor Cuomo has shown great leadership as New York continues to rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, and the State University of New York is pleased to follow his lead and do our part to ease the burden on our students."

"As our campuses join with local communities and continue to contribute to relief efforts in several areas of New York, it is only fitting that we offer SUNY students what we can to provide some financial relief as well. I commend Governor Cuomo for his persevering leadership in the wake of this terrible storm and thank the Board of Trustees for allowing our campuses to refund tuition to students who have been affected," added SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher.

SUNY is authorizing each campus president to waive tuition liability and to refund tuition for students who withdraw from the Fall 2012 and/or Spring 2013 terms because of the hardships caused by Hurricane Sandy. 

State University regulations provide for "hardship" withdrawals and the refund of tuition, at the discretion of each campus president, but only in the event a student withdraws before the mid-point of an academic term.

Since Hurricane Sandy occurred after the Fall 2012 term midpoint, and because of the magnitude of the storm, SUNY leadership modified the regulation to help students avoid undue hardships.