Social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak means many college students are moving home before the end of the semester. Arizona schools are now deciding whether to refund students housing fees.
With four weeks left in their term, about 700 students remain in campus housing at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. More than 12,000 already have returned home. For them, the school is offering partial housing fee refunds.
GCU President Brian Mueller said campus operation costs remain the same, but the school wanted to help students.
“We realize this is a difficult time for a lot of our families. People are being laid off and losing family income," Mueller said. "That will, I think, be helpful for a lot of our families as they try to navigate the rest of the school year.”
University of Arizona students who have moved out also are being offered partial refunds or credit toward next year’s housing costs.
Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University are not currently offering housing refunds.
