Mississippi College Announces Spring Semester Refunds

Mississippi College leaders on Thursday announced a series of refunds going to students as a result of the COVID-19 health emergency.

MC officials will soon issue prorated refunds to students who paid for university housing and meal plans during the Spring 2020 semester.

Refunds will be prorated for the period from March 23 (the Monday after the extended Spring Break) through the end date for final exams in early May. Cash refunds are issued through the university’s partner, BankMobile.

President Blake Thompson announced refund details in a letter to Mississippi College students and families. The MC Board of Trustees approved the plan at an April 16 meeting.

“I know that one of your most critical concerns is credits and refunds for unused room and board,” Dr. Thompson said. “On behalf of the many people who have worked diligently through the decision-making process, I offer my sincere appreciation for your patience. This was a critical decision and we wanted to get it right.”

The amounts going to students will vary.

The refund formula considers costs for the student’s specific residence hall room and board meal plan on the Clinton campus, less any MC institutional funds applying.

In the letter, President Thompson reported the Christian university created the MCares Fund to help students in need.

The fund provides emergency assistance to students hardest hit by the health crisis. That includes assistance with housing, food and other costs to enable students continue their MC studies. Families are given the option of donating refunds to this new initiative. More information is available at mc.edu/MCares or by contacting the Advancement Office at 601-925-3257 for instructions.

“Thank you again for your patience and for the encouragement you’ve given us in these unusual times,” Thompson told families.

For more than a month, Mississippi College students adjusted to online classes at their homes. The Baptist-affiliated university enrolls nearly 5,000 students. The crisis also suddenly put millions of Americans out of work.

“We know that many of you have endured a lot of upheaval and loss in a short period of time, and we want you to know that we continue to pray for each of you,” President Thompson said.

In its 194^th year, Mississippi College has faced crisis situations before – from the Civil War to the Great Depression, two World Wars, and now this global health catastrophe in Spring 2020.

“We are an institution that relies on our Christian faith in times of crisis, so please continue to pray for the university and the entire Mississippi College family,” Dr. Thompson said.

There are COVID-19 FAQs on the MC website at mc.edu/coronavirus on refunds for university students and other issues linked to the institution’s response.

To get the refund process started, students must complete a form found online by April 30. It is the way students can let officials know how they wish to direct the refunds. The form is available by going to mc.edu/refunds2020 with Mississippi College officials expected to begin processing refunds beginning May 1.

For additional questions, please email MC officials at roomandboardrefunds@mc.edu