Graduate School Deposit Policy

Specific graduate programs require a tuition deposit in order for an applicant to accept an offer of admission. An admitted student’s place in a graduate program is not guaranteed until the deposit has been paid. The full deposit will be applied toward the first semester tuition and fees bill.

The standard deposit amount is $500 for Graduate School Programs, although individual programs within the School of Health Professions may set a lower amount.  The exact deposit amount and payment deadline will be clearly stated in the applicant’s offer of admission. Upon receipt of the deposit, the University will begin the matriculation process.

If a student needs to defer the start date for their program, the tuition deposit will be applied to the new start date.

In limited cases, applicants may request a waiver of the tuition deposit. Waivers are considered under the following conditions:

• Participation in Undergraduate Pipeline Programs: Applicants who participated in EOP, HEOP, SEEK, CSTEP, MARC, PREP, RISE, LSAMP, or McNair Scholars programs may request a deposit waiver by providing official documentation from a university representative.
• SBU undergraduates enrolled in a Bachelor/Master degree program
• Documented Financial Hardship: Applicants must submit a signed letter from a college official verifying financial hardship. Self-declared need or financial aid eligibility (e.g., loans) is not sufficient.

If a student meets the criteria for a waiver, the following conditions apply:

• Applicants may request a waiver only once.
• Waiver requests must be submitted and approved before a student accepts their offer of admission.

Tuition deposits are rarely refunded. In the case of a visa denial or being called into active service, a request for a refund must be made in writing, with appropriate supporting documentation attached, before the start of the academic term for which the student was admitted or by the dates listed below. Requests submitted after the term begins will not be considered.

• Visa Denial: Must submit proof of Visa denial from US embassy or consulate that contains personally identifying information
• Active Service: Must submit a statement of service

To request a tuition deposit waiver or refund, the applicant must submit a written request to the Graduate Admissions office, gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu. This email must include any necessary supporting documentation, as outlined above. Refund requests must be received by June 15 (for Fall admission) or December 15 (for Spring admission). Applicants who paid the deposit after these dates, will have up to 30 days to submit a refund request, or prior to the start of the semester, whichever comes first.

For more information, applicants should contact the Graduate Admissions office directly at gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu.