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Direct Deposit and Student Refunds

Credit balances may appear on a student's account due to excess financial aid awards, stipends, overpayments, or charge adjustments. Refunds may generate automatically or students may need to request a refund of credit balances. Contact us to request a refund.

Refunds can be distributed by direct deposit or by check. If you have not signed up for direct deposit when a refund is generated, you have 24 hours to do so before the refund is issued by check.

If you wire more funds than what is due, we will return the overpayment to the originating bank or the student may opt to keep the credit on the account to cover future charges. The overpayment amount will not be refunded. If you have questions about our process for wire transfers, please contact our office before you initiate payment.

Receiving Refunds by Direct Deposit

How to Sign Up

  1. Go to Nelnet Business Services and log in using your Cornell NetID and password. Cornell's Two-Step Login is required for authentication.
  2. Verify or edit the Student Profile Information.
  3. Select Direct Deposit and enter the routing and account number for your U.S. checking or savings account.
  4. Sign up for SMS messaging to receive a text when your refund is on the way.

Notes:

  • Refunds issued by direct deposit should appear in your bank account within 2-3 business days.
  • Your default primary e-mail address in Nelnet is your Cornell e-mail address, and it cannot be changed. You can add additional e-mail addresses once you’re enrolled.
  • You will receive an email when a refund has been processed.

Important Information About Refunds

Before requesting a refund, carefully review your bill to ensure that all anticipated charges, such as dining, housing, and fitness center fees, have been accurately posted. Also, consider any financial aid adjustments you expect to have posted to your student account. If your financial aid is reduced, please note that additional aid will not be awarded to offset any prior refunds.

Due to how awards may be applied, please check Cashnet to confirm that your bursar and/or CornellCard accounts have been satisfied after a refund has been processed. To request a refund or confirm the validity of a refund, please contact us.

Receiving Refunds by Check

Checks are made payable to the student and will be available within 7-10 business days of being printed. To have your refund check mailed to you, please contact us from your Cornell email account and provide your preferred mailing address.

Checks resulting from surplus parent loans will be automatically mailed to the address indicated on the loan application within 2-3 weeks of being printed.

The Office of the Bursar reserves the right to withhold any refund when the student has a Cornell Installment Plan balance. Cornell may use any credit balances to offset any debts owed by the student to the university.

Payroll Direct Deposit

If you are an employee and want your paycheck deposited into your bank account, you can enroll in Payroll Direct Deposit.