FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions

eRefund allows you to receive a refund due to you as a direct deposit into your U.S. checking or savings bank account. It is the fastest and most convenient way to receive your student refund. 

To enroll in eRefund follow these steps: 
1.    Login to your Student Home Base in LionPATH
2.    Click on "My Finances" on top of the page
3.    Select "Manage My Account/Make A Payment" to get to the billing and payment portal
4.    Navigate to the eRefunds tab.
5.    Enter and confirm your U.S. bank account information (routing and account number).
6.    Agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and click "Submit". Once enrollment is complete, future eligible refunds will be sent to the enrolled bank account. 
 

After an eRefund has been generated by Penn State to your financial institution, the process may take up to 3-5 business days before it will appear as a credit in your account. Please refer to your financial institution's policy concerning the availability of these funds.

Beginning summer 2026, Authorized Users will be able to enroll in eRefund to receive refunds from excess Direct Parent PLUS Loans funds only. The authorized user must also be the loan’s borrower. To enroll, please follow the steps below:
1.    Log in to the student account at Penn State's online bill payment for parent/authorized user log in page.
2.    Navigate to the eRefunds tab.
3.    Enter the last 4 digits of your SSN and zip code as indicated on the PLUS Loan application.
4.    Enter and confirm your U.S. bank account information (routing and account number).
5.    Agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and click "Submit". Once enrollment is complete, future eligible refunds will be sent to the enrolled bank account. 

If not enrolled in eRefund as an Authorized User, the parent borrower will receive a refund check sent by mail to their address as indicated on the loan application.

Please note: eRefund for Authorized Users is for Parent PLUS Loan disbursements only and will not be used for refunds of student account credit balances.

Refer to the AI-assisted video on how to enroll in eRefund available on the Refund Policy page.

Student Account Refunds are issued once per week as determined by the Office of the Bursar. For the quickest delivery of refunds, students should enroll in eRefund. If the student is not enrolled in eRefund, the refund is issued as a paper check and sent by mail.

The Federal Direct PLUS funds are applied to the student's tuition and fees first, and then the student's other financial aid funds are applied. Typically, the PLUS funds are used in full, and the student's other financial aid causes the credit amount on the student's account. If there are excess funds from other financial aid (non-PLUS aid), they are refunded to the student directly. Occasionally, excess funds are the result of a Parent PLUS Loan. If there are excess funds from a Parent PLUS Loan, it is refunded directly to the borrower.

When all University charges have been satisfied and the financial aid creates an overpayment, the student is entitled to a refund. Refunds can be electronically deposited into their bank account by signing up for eRefund. See more information on Penn State's Refund Policy.

When a payment is received by personal check, a 14-day hold is placed on your Student Account to ensure the check has cleared the bank. Once this time period has past, we will refund the credit balance via direct deposit to your bank account (eRefund) or via a paper check.

There could be several reasons why your refund has not been processed. Here are some possible reasons:

1. If a payment was made by personal check, a refund will not be processed for 14 days from receipt of that payment.
2. If you are signed up for eRefund, the account information provided may be incorrect. If this is the case, you will receive an email notification.
3. Paper refund checks are only printed and mailed once weekly. We strongly recommend signing up for eRefund for faster receipt of any future refunds.
4. You have not "accepted" your loans/financial aid in LionPATH.
5. Your financial aid has not disbursed into your account. The Office of Student Aid is responsible for disbursing your financial aid. 

The no eRefund Hold (BNE Hold) was placed on your student account as our records indicate that you have no eRefund (Direct Deposit) enrollment on file. Please note, this hold does not prevent registration. 

 To remove the hold, students can enroll in eRefund by doing the following: 

1. Log in to your Student Home Base in LionPATH and click on "My Finances”, then select "Manage My Account/Make A Payment”.
2. Navigate to the eRefunds tab.
3. Enter and confirm your U.S. bank account information (routing and account number).
4. Agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and click "Submit". Once enrollment is complete, future eligible refunds will be sent to the enrolled bank account. 

 Important: To avoid delays, please be sure you enter your bank routing and bank account number correctly. 

 Visit the Refund Policy page for additional information on refunds. Please allow up to 24 hours for this hold to be removed upon enrolling in eRefund.