Refunds

To view the dates, deadlines, and refunds policies for the following terms, select the relevant option below:

Refund amounts are based on the date an official withdrawal form is submitted to the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE) office.

The refund process may take four to six weeks for processing, starting from the time that a request is submitted to our Student Services Center. A refund check will be issued for registration payments made by check. Credit card accounts will be credited for registration payments made by credit card.

A delay in submitting required forms may result in a reduced refund.

If you would like to request an appeal for an extenuating circumstance, submit this Appeal Form for Extenuating Circumstances.

  • Students with appropriate signatures must officially drop their course(s) and submit a refund request to cpace-info@csulb.edu.
  • Refunds are calculated based on the date the request is received at CPaCE.
  • Please be aware that any outstanding financial obligation to the university (i.e., library fines) may be withheld from your refund.
  • If a course is canceled for any reason, students may transfer their fees to other courses or submit a request for a full refund to CPaCE-info@csulb.edu.

Special Sessions Refunds

Refund regulations for the California State University System are prescribed by the California Code of Regulations, Title V, Section 41802.

Important: It is YOUR responsibility to drop classes by the deadlines, regardless of the reason, to avoid charges or be eligible for a full or pro-rated refund. Students who do not plan to attend should drop all classes before the first day of instruction. After instruction begins, students who drop all their classes will owe pro-rated fees based on the date of withdrawal.

If class is dropped prior to the day of the first class meeting, the refund will be minus a $10.00 processing fee. The first day is the day listed on the schedule of classes.

The refund schedule will begin on the first day, which is the date listed on the class schedule. If class starts on a weekend, then the refund schedule begins that same day. The refund schedule is based on calendar days, including weekends and holidays.

    Formula for Credit Refunds

    Refund schedule applies to all self-support credit courses except courses taken through Open University, Summer Sessions, or Winter Sessions.

    • 100% refund of the course fees paid prior to the start of class minus a $10 processing fee
    • 65% refund of the course fees paid if student has taken up to 25% of the course
    • $0 refunded if student has taken over 25% of the course
    • Any classes that are 24 hours or less do not qualify for a refund once the class begins
    • Refund requests will be accepted in person, by phone, or email cpace-info@csulb.edu.
    • Refunds are calculated based on the date the request is received by CPaCE.
    • Students enrolled in classes which are cancelled will automatically receive a full refund or may transfer their fees to other classes.
    • Textbooks are non-refundable

    Formula for Non-Credit Refunds

    Refund schedule applies to all non-credit courses/certificate programs except Bobrow Test Preparation classes.

    • 100% refund of the course fees paid prior to the start of class minus a $10 processing fee
    • 65% refund of the course fees paid if student has taken up to 25% of the course
    • $0 refunded if student has taken over 25% of the course
    • Any classes that are 24 hours or less do not qualify for a refund once the class begins

    Refund Policy for Self-Paced Online Programs

    Self-Paced Online programs for Clinical Medical Assistant, EKG Technician, and Pharmacy Technician have a separate refund policy as stipulated by the third-party partners who manage these programs. 

    If 30 days have passed since the course purchase date and the student has accessed or completed the program/exam, the student cannot receive a refund or exchange on the program or exam purchase, nor any materials associated with the product. To be eligible for a refund, the drop/return request must be made within 30 days of original purchase; and the time the student has accessed the course/exam content or “time in content” must not exceed 10 total hours.

    Fall 2025 Refund Schedule

    • Deadline for a full refund minus $10 processing fee: August 24, 2025
    • Deadline to partial refund (65%): September 22, 2025
    • Starting September 23: No refund 

    Summer 2025 Refund Schedule

    Refunds for Session 1

    • Deadline for full refund minus $10 processing fee: May 26, 2025
    • Deadline for partial refund (75% refund): June 2, 2025
    • Deadline for partial refund (50% refund): June 9, 2025
    • No longer eligible for a refund: June 10, 2025

    Refunds for Session 2·    

    • Deadline for full refund minus $10 processing fee: May 26, 2025
    • Deadline for partial refund (75% refund): June 2, 2025
    • Deadline for partial refund (50% refund): June 9, 2025
    • No longer eligible for a refund: June 10, 2025

    Refunds for Session 3

    • Deadline for full refund minus $10 processing fee: July 6, 2025
    • Deadline for partial refund (75% refund): July 14, 2025
    • Deadline for partial refund (50% refund): July 21, 2025
    • No longer eligible for a refund: July 22, 2025

    Once instruction begins and students register in classes, students who drop or withdraw from their classes will owe pro-rated fees based on the date of drop or withdrawal. To receive a refund for cancelled or dropped Open U courses, students should file a drop form (with the appropriate signatures.approvals when necessary) at the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE) registration windows or email cpace-info@csulb.edu. The assignment of an alternate faculty member to teach a course is not grounds for a refund.

    Refund amounts are based on the day the request is received by CPaCE. Fees are refunded in accordance with the Open U refund schedule noted above.

    For registration payments made by e-check or check, a refund check will be issued from the State of California. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing.

    Credit card accounts will be credited for registration payments made by credit card. Please allow up to 4 weeks for processing. Outstanding obligations to the university may be withheld from a student's refund.

    Note: Refunds are based upon the date the refund request is received by CPaCE Student Services Center.

    Winter 2025 Refund Schedule

    Session 1

    • Deadline for full refund minus $10 processing fee: December 18, 2024
    • Deadline for 65% refund: December 25, 2024
    • Starting December 26, 2024: No refund

    Drops that are requested between December 25 and January 1 will be processed when the campus reopens after the holiday break.

    Session 2

    • Deadline for full refund minus $10 processing fee: January 1, 2025
    • Deadline for 65% refund: January 4, 2025
    • Starting January 5, 2025: No refund

    May 2025 Refund Schedule

    • Deadline for full refund minus $10 processing fee: May 18, 2025
    • Deadline for 75% refund: May 22, 2025
    • Starting May 23, 2025: No refund