<p>In the interest of securing my housing and easing my anxiety, I will hopefully put down my deposit and officially enroll at U(C) sometime after my visit in a week. However, money has been a huge obstacle in deciding where I will matriculate. It looks now as though we will be able to afford it with student loans and the like. My question is whether, if money ends up not working out (ie, something goes catastrophically wrong with money from my grandfather's old house, long story), I will be able to refund my deposit. The site says it is refundable by May 1, but I was wondering if this is a common practice or looked down upon and discouraged. Any information regarding this would be helpful. Thanks.</p>
<p>Yes, this is fine- you just need to notify the admissions office IN WRITING by May 1st. It's kind of an underused and not-very-well known practice, and putting down the deposit should not be done lightly, but if the only thing that would stop you from attending is an extreme circumstance like the one you've described, I recommend that you go ahead and do it.</p>
<p>If you're worried about money then you may want to wait until fin aid comes out to put down the deposit. (unless it's already out and I'm out of the loop)</p>
<p>My estimate came already, and if all goes according to plan we should be able to manage it. I'm also hoping that my grant money will go up with the new information on the FAFSA; my mother's income went down by $20,000.</p>