Withdrawal and Refund Information

Breaking your housing agreement at FIT is not the same as breaking a traditional lease, but it is still a serious matter. We strongly encourage students to review their options and speak with Residential Life before making this decision.

*Students who are withdrawing from Spring 2026 should refer to their Housing Agreement or the Residential Life Policy library for information on their withdrawal process.

Withdrawing from FIT and academic courses is a separate and independent process from Housing. Students must submit a Housing Withdrawal when separating from FIT in addition to the college’s withdrawal process. 

Withdraw from 2026-2027 Housing

Simply put, a withdrawal from housing means that you no longer wish to reside in campus housing after you submitted an application and sign the Housing Agreement. Lets walk through this process and review what you can expect. You should review the Housing Agreement as well for the full responsibilities that come with a Housing Withdrawal.

Assigned vs. Unassigned

If you have applied for housing and signed your agreement but have not secured / been assigned a room you are considered "unassigned." As long as you withdraw before a room is provided you won't face any fees or penalties for your withdrawal. Remember though, the Application Fee is not refundable under any circumstance and will remain on your account.

Remember, assignments are made for the full academic year. This means if you have a fall assignment but withdraw for the spring, you are still subject to withdrawal fees and/or penalties. 

Accepted Withdrawal Reasons

Students who withdraw due to one of the approved reasons below, are excused from withdrawal penalties regardless of their notification date. Students may be required to submit an appeal and/or additional documentation in order to have the applicable fees and penalties removed from their account.

  • Required Military Service,
  • FIT Sponsored Study Aboard Programs,
  • Graduation from FIT,
  • Issues with securing an educational VISA,
  • Separation from FIT, or
  • Mandated medical leaves of absence 

Late Assignments & No Shows

If we are holding a bed space for you, it means another student isn't able to reserve that space. As a result, you need to notify our office as soon as possible if you are not going to live on campus. We will hold your space for up to two weeks after your move in date before canceling your reservation. If this happens, we will charge you for those two weeks and the appropriate penalties as listed below. Why? There is a high demand for housing and it's not fair to hold a bed from another student who needs it. 

Additionally, if you are on a waitlist for housing and decided to pursue a different route, you need to notify us immediately. Once we place you in housing, regardless of when that is, you will be bound by the refund schedules outlined below. We will send reminders on a regular basis to let us know if you want to remain on the waitlist or withdraw. 

Mandatory Separation from Housing

If you are required to leave FIT or Housing by the college the refund schedule outlined below is still in effect. Note that we will also cancel any future assignments / applications and you will need to reapply for housing when / if you are eligible.

Fall 2026 Withdrawal Refund Schedule for Assigned Students

Withdrawal submitted before July 1, 2026

  • Student is subject to a $250 withdrawal penalty in addition to forfeiture of the Application Fee
  • All other fees, housing, and dining costs refunded in full

Withdrawal submitted between July 1, 2026 and July 31, 2026

  • Student is subject to a $500 withdrawal penalty in addition to forfeiture of the Application Fee
  • All other fees, housing, and dining costs refunded in full

Withdrawal submitted between August 1, 2026 and August 28, 2026

  • Student is subject to a $750 withdrawal penalty in addition to forfeiture of the Application Fee
  • Student will not be refunded for personal property fee
  • All other fees, housing, and dining costs refunded in full

Withdrawal submitted on or after August 29, 2026

  • Student is subject to a $750 withdrawal penalty in addition to forfeiture of the Application Fee
  • Student will not be refunded for personal property, technology, or residence association fees
  • Housing and dining charges are refunded on a daily pro-ration
    • Two weeks after the first day of classes meal plans are no longer refundable due to vendor contracts

Spring 2027 Withdrawal Refund Schedule for Assigned Students

Withdrawal submitted before November 30, 2026

  • Student is subject to a $250 withdrawal penalty in addition to forfeiture of the Application Fee
  • Student will not be refunded for personal property fee
  • All other fees, housing, and dining costs refunded in full

Withdrawal submitted between December 1, 2026 and December 15, 2026

  • Student is subject to a $500 withdrawal penalty in addition to forfeiture of the Application Fee
  • Student will not be refunded for personal property fee
  • All other fees, housing, and dining costs refunded in full

Withdrawal submitted between December 16, 2026 and January 22, 2027

  • Student is subject to a $750 withdrawal penalty in addition to forfeiture of the Application Fee
  • Student will not be refunded for personal property fee
  • All other fees, housing, and dining costs refunded in full

Withdrawal submitted on or after January 23, 2027

  • Student is subject to a $750 withdrawal penalty in addition to forfeiture of the Application Fee
  • Student will not be refunded for personal property, technology, or residence association fees
  • Housing and dining charges are refunded on a daily pro-ration
    • Two weeks after the first day of classes meal plans are no longer refundable due to vendor contracts
       

Appeal Process

Once you have submitted a withdrawal you may appeal any charges or penalties remaining on your account with the exception of the Application Fee. Your appeal must contain both a reason and justification specifying the extenuating circumstance for the refund. The Committee makes the final decision collectively and will deny any appeal that does not include supporting documentation or violates this policy.

All refund appeals should be filed as soon as possible but no later than six months after the end of the academic term for which the appeal is being requested. All decisions made by the Refund Appeal Committee are final and no further appeals will be considered. A filed appeal does not guarantee an approval.

The following appeals for exception to the refund policy will NOT be approved:

  • Dissatisfaction with a room type, roommate, Residence Handbook policy, or room condition
  • Failure to occupy a space.
  • Lack of knowledge of the withdrawal and refund deadlines.
  • Lack of sufficient resources to pay housing.
  • Registration for the wrong term or misreading the calendar outlining the start of housing.
  • Failure to follow college policies and procedures available for review within the Code of Student Conduct, the college’s handbook, catalog, College Policy Library, or official FIT website, or Residence Agreement and Handbook.