Hannah Richey
Opinion Editor
hgrichey@uab.edu
Refunds have been at the front of many students’ minds following the move to online classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some students have lost their income and are hoping any refunds or other money that is available to them will be enough to support them.
Because of this, here is a list of refunds and grants that UAB students may have the opportunity to receive, as well as how to access those funds. Any student who used a scholarship to pay for housing or dining will not receive a refund from housing or dining.
Student COVID-19 Emergency Grant
The Undergraduate Student Government Association has allocated $15,000 along with other contributions by the Graduate Student Government and the Division of Student Affairs. The grant will cover up to $500 for students who have lost wages or have other unforeseen costs. Below is the link to apply. You will need something like a bank statement, letter of delinquency or bill in order to apply. The grant does not get applied to the spring 2020 account balance. Students will also need their bank account number and routing number, which can normally be found by looking up the bank on Google or the bank’s website.
https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?UnivofAlabamaBirmingham&layout_id=16
Student Housing Refund
Students who live on campus will receive a refund based on the residence hall they were in. The refund options are to apply a prorated refund to their spring 2020 student account, apply it to their fall 2020 student account and receive an extra 10% or donate it to the COVID-19 emergency fund. In order to make the selection log on to MyHousing through BlazerNet. The balance will first be applied to students’ spring 2020 account to pay for any outstanding payments. Respond no later than April 20 at 5 p.m. If students do not respond they will automatically receive the prorated refund to their student account.
Dining Refund
Students who selected a dining plan for the spring 2020 semester have the same options as housing between a prorated refund based on the plan they selected. They can apply it to their spring 2020 student account, apply it to their fall 2020 student bill and receive an extra 10% or donate to the COVID-19 emergency fund. To make the selection go to MyHousing through BlazerNet. The balance will first be applied to students’ spring 2020 account to pay for any outstanding payments. Respond no later than April 20 at 5 p.m. If students do not respond they will automatically receive the prorated refund to their student account.
Dragon Cash, the $225 dining fee, was originally going to be refunded as 50% of the remaining balance. Now the refund will be all unused funds.
BlazerBucks Refund
BlazerBucks refunds are only allowed for students who are leaving the university. The refund request must be made within 12 months of leaving the university or else they are considered forfeited and the cardholder will not receive a refund. Balances of $25 and below are not refundable. The refund will first be applied to the student’s account balance to cover any outstanding balances. Apply for a refund at the link below.
