<p>Stupid question time!</p>
<p>When you're deciding between schools and need to send a deposit to one before the 2 week deadline elapses, WHAT DOES THE DEPOSIT PAY FOR? Your spot? Or does it count toward tuition/housing? Is it ever refundable?</p>
<p>I ask this with specific regards to UT-Austin, Wellesley, Grinnell, and Smith.</p>
<p>Is it possible to obtain a deposit fee waiver if it's simply an arbitrary fee to secure your place on the school's admitted students list?</p>
<p>Actually, there are ways to obtain deposit fee waivers, and mainly, the only way is if you qualify for it. Speak to the financial aid office of the school that you just got accepted to.</p>
<p>Deposits show your commitment to the school, because they don't want to start figuring out your housing, credits, tuition, etc. and then after all that work find out you're not coming. It's just a way to sort of guarantee them that you will be attending their school. </p>
<p>I don't know about the schools you listed but the deposit is commonly deducted from tuition or housing on your bill, so I can't believe a school woud refund it since you'll have to pay it when the bill comes anyway.</p>
<p>I know Lawrence University, a school I am looking into transferring to, states that they will refund your deposit upon graduation but if you decide later you don't want to attend, they won't refund it.</p>
<p>it pays for orientation. [for the uc's at least, i'm told]</p>
<p>It varies by school. D's school will refund it at graduation, although many grads will just have them keep it & designate it as a class gift (hmm ... do Mom & Dad get a tax break?). Other schools she was accepted to applied them to the first term tuition.</p>