Public colleges would adopt withdrawal refunds for serious circumstances

Each public institution of higher education would have to adopt a policy allowing a student to withdraw and receive refunds. The policy would cover students who withdraw because illness, injury, hospitalization, mental health, wellness, or another defined serious circumstance limits their ability to receive an education. The institution would define qualifying circumstances and set criteria for deciding whether they prevented the student from receiving an education. The policy would refund tuition and fees for the semester of withdrawal when the circumstances meet those criteria. Students who paid for room, board, or other fees would receive the part tied to facilities or services they did not use. Refunds for students receiving financial or state aid would remain subject to applicable state and federal refund laws and rules. The act would take effect immediately, but the policy would first apply during the first full academic year after enactment.