IHL authorizes refunds for students due to Covid-19

Andre Frenchie
MC301 Contributor

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the dynamic of daily life for everyone, including college students. Because of threat to the health of students and employees, colleges and universities opted to offer courses online and urged thousands of students to go home.

According to a the Institutions of Higher Learning website, students would receive refunds for some student expenditures. Students at Jackson State University received emails on April 10 informing them of the refunds. The university will issue prorated refunds to students who paid for university-sponsored Student Housing, meal plans and parking fees. All refunds will be prorated March 16 until May 10.

Students are not eligible for refunds that withdrew from university prior to the first day classes would have resumed if Spring Break had not been extended due to the pandemic. If fees were paid with an institutional scholarship, the student would not be eligible for a refund. Given that classes are proceeding online and other remote instructional methods, IHL universities may not refund any tuition or any other fees.

Many students are relieved that they will be getting reimbursed for housing.

Jabria Pearson, a senior political science major from Freeport, Ill. said, “I am grateful that JSU Housing will be reimbursing students. I’m so grateful IHL has given the approval of reimbursing housing for students. Mid-semester, I had to take out additional loans to cover housing. This has been one of the most traumatic semesters of my life given that I am a senior. I am glad that some miracles are showing throughout this time.”

Markus Brooks, a senior criminal justice major from Bloomington, Ill. said he feels decision to refund students was needed.

“I feel like it’s the right thing to do. There are students who are paying out of pocket for school and they definitely deserve their refunds. It wouldn’t be fair that students don’t get a refund back because they were not able to live in their residence halls and not eat in the cafeteria for the remainder of the semester. Unfortunately those students who were on scholarship with the university, do not get any money back which is a bummer. That includes athletes, residents assistants, and those who were on specific scholarships,” said Brooks.

Malik Shavers, a sophomore electrical engineering major from Flowood, Miss., said he feels positive about the situation for the students but the university may not fair well.

“For the students, it is a positive move because as a student, college is already expensive so that gives some students who can’t financially go to college a chance. Although for the university, I feel like it may be a negative because the money refunded could also or possibly be used for the campus along with certain events,” said Shavers.

Xavier Davis, a sophomore therapeutic recreation major from Milwaukee, Wis., said along with the refunds, the grading policy changes are also beneficial to students.

“It’s the best decision to refund the students their money because we are not physically on campus. The grading situation is good because it gives students the best choice if they are failing to retake a class without it affecting their GPA,” said Davis.