Refunds
When students have a credit (negative balance) on their account, they may be entitled to a refund. Refunds can be issued to students when it is determined a third party, such as a sponsor, scholarship or student loan has no claim on the credit balance. Guidelines for specific types of refunds are explained below:
International Student Prepayments
Requesting a Refund
In most cases, refunds will be processed by eRefund to your bank account. To request a refund please send your request via email to servicecentre.touchnet@smu.ca. In the email subject, please indicate Refund Request and include the following information within your email message:
- Full Name.
- A#.
- Amount of your refund.
Ensure your banking information is up to date in your “My Profile” section of the Student Account Centre. Refunds cannot be processed unless your banking information is provided.
You can access the Student Account Centre by logging into your Self-service banner account. Click on the Student Tab and select the Student Account tile then select the Student Account Centre link.
Scholarship & Bursary Refunds
A student who has had their entire term balance paid by scholarship or bursary and has a credit on their account can request a refund after the last day to withdraw from courses with a tuition refund.
Please visit Course Withdrawal Schedules page for dates and regulations. Questions about refund eligibility can be directed to the Service Centre at servicecentre.touchnet@smu.ca.
International student prepayments
In some countries, tuition prepayments can be beneficial in the successful processing of study permits and/or visas. In these cases, refunds can be provided under the following conditions:
- Students show proof of visa or permit refusal, or do not enter Canada and show proof of visa/permit cancellation.
- Students return home and notify Canadian Immigration officials of their return and show proof of the cancellation of their Canadian study permit.
- In an instance where a student enrolls in virtual courses without having obtained their study permit, and the permit is not granted, tuition fees will be refunded in accordance with the course withdrawal regulations and schedule.
Refunds are returned to the payee, in the country of origin and are pro-rated according to the refund schedule, less any required University deposits, administrative fees and services charged.
Please Note: While tuition prepayments are refundable under the conditions listed above, the undergraduate admission deposit is non-refundable under any conditions; under the conditions listed above, graduate program admission deposits may also be refunded, but noting that a minimum of $500 will remain non-refundable.
Graduate refunds
Graduate students requesting a refund of Graduate funding will be issued a refund by direct deposit.
Graduate students awarded University administered fellowships and scholarships (e.g. an FGSR Fellowship, FGSR Graduate Award, Tri-Council Scholarship/Award, etc.) will normally receive their funds (less tuition and associated fees) in three installments per year. Installments are issued at the beginning of each semester, provided the student is registered early in full time studies and is in good academic standing, and requests their refunds by email as follows:
- Fall Term 2024: Register by August 2, 2024, and request a direct deposit refund by emailing Service.Centre@smu.ca by August 30, 2024, to receive the installment by September 6, 2024.
- Winter Term 2025: Register by December 2, 2024, and request a direct deposit refund by emailing Service.Centre@smu.ca by December 20, 2024, to receive the installment by January 10, 2025.
- Summer Term 2025: Register by April 4, 2025, and request a direct deposit refund by emailing Service.Centre@smu.ca by April 25, 2025, to receive the installment by May 9, 2025.
MBA students will receive their scholarships in two installments in September and January provided they have registered on time.