Tuition & Fee Appeal

Understand (and dispute) fees on your bill

Contact Student Central with questions about:

  • Tuition
  • Mandatory fees
  • Program fees
  • Course-related fees
  • Drop/add fees
  • Schedule change fees

How to appeal a fee

Students who experience specific extenuating circumstances that result in an involuntary withdrawal from some or all courses after the refund deadline may use the tuition appeal process to request an exception to the university's refund policy.

Before you file…

As the student, only you can initiate a tuition appeal. We will consider appeals from a parent or legal guardian only when extremely serious and documented circumstances prevent the student from filing an appeal.

Tuition and fee appeals will only be considered for courses that have been dropped. Students are not eligible to submit an appeal if they:

  • Cite reasons such as inability to pay, challenges in obtaining financial aid, poor academic performance, or dissatisfaction with the quality of instruction.

Students may submit a tuition appeal within one year following the conclusion of the semester in which they dropped the course or withdrew from all courses..

Reasons for Appeal and Required Documentation

Tuition appeals may be submitted for the following reasons. Approval requires the appropriate supporting documentation:

  • Recent Medical Condition
  • Immediate Family Emergency
    • For the death of an immediate family member, acceptable documentation includes: an obituary listing the student as a survivor, a death certificate, or a statement from the funeral home confirmation the student as an immediate family member.
    • For other family emergencies, submit a letter from a social worker, doctor, nurse, or other medical professional verifying that the student was responsible for an immediate family member. Include any additional documentation that provides proof of the emergency.
  • University Error
    • Provide documentation from your advisor, professor, or school confirming that incorrect information was provided, which resulted in the error.
  • Transfer to Another University
    • Submit official enrollment verification from the new university, which must:
      • Be on university letterhead with the university seal.
      • Include the dates and terms attended.
    • The transfer must have occurred during the disputed term. The student's attendance record at Indiana University must show no attendance during that period. 

Timeline for Appeal Decisions

Tuition appeals are generally reviewed, and a determination is made within one week. If the tuition appeal requires review by the tuition appeal committee, the committee meets once a month. Students should monitor their email for updates on the status of their appeal. Please be advised, if a tuition appeal is granted, future appeals may not be approved.

Keep in mind that submitting an appeal does not exempt you from late fees or financial holds. We recommend you pay your bill in full by the published deadlines, even if you intend to appeal.

Submission Instructions

After dropping the course or withdrawing, complete and submit the the Tuition Appeal Form on One.IU. Be sure to follow all instructions listed. 

What about those other fees?

Any time you register for classes, receive a housing assignment or meal plan, visit the Health Center, fail to return a library book, park in the wrong space, or do anything else that causes an IU department to charge you a fee, your student account will be charged.

If you need more information about these fees or want to dispute a fee, contact the office or department that charged the fee. For example: