SUSLA students demands answers regarding refund check

Vice Chancellor of Finance Benjamin Pugh said there hasn't been a delay; he said the university is following federal procedures. More than a thousand students are expected to receive their refund checks Feb. 8. Pugh said the rest should receive their checks within two weeks.

According to Pugh, the university must wait 14 days after school starts before they can begin dispersing refund checks. Once those 14 days pass, teachers must notify the financial aid office concerning which students are actually attending class. Then, the financial aid office verifies that information and begins to process and distribute refund checks. 

Also, if a student's financial aid information is incomplete, Pugh said that could cause a delay in the student receiving their refund. Pugh said SUSLA's census date was pushed back from Feb.1 to Feb. 4 because school was cancelled early on the semester. Classes began this spring semester on Jan. 14.

Pugh said his staff has been working overtime this week, to make sure students receive their checks as soon as possible.

""We're dealing with a federal prescribed period of time and we're dealing with federal requirements on how funds are to be dispersed. Even if we wanted to as a university give them the money, we're not allowed to until those particular dates have passed," said Pugh.

Pugh said the university is working to improve its communication methods, so that students understand the process better. He said students should've received two emails from the financial aid office explaining the process; he hopes to also put the information on the university's website.