Consequences of declining a funded phd offer after April 15

[John.Galt]

Hello,

I'm an international student. I've already acceped a funded phd offer from a university.
But unfortunately, because of some unavoidable circumstances, it is not possible for me to leave my country this year.
So, I will have to decline my offer.


I've heard someone that if I decline my offer, I'll have to pay my full one year stipend to my university as fine. Is this true?

What is the worst that can happen to me? Can the university sue me?

 

[tspier2]

Hello,

I'm an international student. I've already acceped a funded phd offer from a university.

But unfortunately, because of some unavoidable circumstances, it is not possible for me to leave my country this year.

So, I will have to decline my offer.

I've heard someone that if I decline my offer, I'll have to pay my full one year stipend to my university as fine. Is this true?

What is the worst that can happen to me? Can the university sue me?

 

Why don't you make them aware of the circumstances and ask for a one-year deferment?

[Vene]

I highly doubt they can sue you. More likely than not if you say that you can't make it and don't explain why they'll simply be upset at you. If you explain your circumstances, which I'm assuming are legitimate, then nothing bad will happen.

 

The action they can take also depends on what you have or haven't agreed to, simply accepting an offer doesn't amount to a something admissible in court. If there were any terms you agreed to when you accepted then those terms are what bind you and determine what is and isn't permissible for you to do. The university would also need to make you aware of the terms upfront so they can't say 'sign this' and then tell you that you agreed to pay back the stipend if you decline.

 

Either way, the action to take is to talk to the university. You should have the contact info for the program director. Call or email, preferably call, but I understand if time zones make this action difficult.

[TakeruK]

The only times I've heard of someone having to pay back their stipend is that if they get paid the money up front for the year (or the term) and then drop out. Or, the money comes with the condition that you finish your program and then you drop out.

 

That is, you only ever have to pay back money that was already paid to you in the first place. There is no sense or reason in a school taking money to penalize students that don't enroll. The only exception is a small registration deposit (a few hundred dollars) that they might require.

[12345678900987654321]

This has happened in our Department before. We understand life sometimes gets in the way. If you're a top prospect we'll defer you for a year.