As of 2026, the refund policy for Chegg online courses and subscriptions is governed by the company’s internal terms of service and a 2025 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settlement. For "Chegg Skills" vocational programs, refund eligibility is generally restricted to a 14-day window from the start of the program. For standard digital subscriptions like Chegg Study, the company is legally required to provide a simple cancellation mechanism and must stop all recurring charges immediately upon a valid cancellation request. While access typically continues until the end of the current billing cycle, partial refunds for mid-month cancellations are not standard practice unless a billing error occurred.
What Controls the Issue
The primary regulatory framework governing Chegg’s billing and refund practices in the United States is the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA). This federal statute requires clear disclosure of all terms before charging and a simple way for consumers to stop recurring charges.
Additionally, a 2025 FTC settlement significantly altered how Chegg manages cancellations. Following allegations that the company made it difficult to cancel and continued to charge users after they had opted out, Chegg was ordered to pay $7.5 million into a redress fund. Under this court order, Chegg must ensure its cancellation process is transparent and honor all requests within a timely manner.
Confirmed Refund and Cancellation Rules
Based on official regulatory actions and platform documentation, the following rules apply to U.S. consumers:
- Cancellation Rights: Chegg must provide a "simple mechanism" to stop recurring charges. If you cancel your subscription, the company is prohibited from charging you again for that service.
- Redress for Post-Cancellation Charges: Consumers who were charged after a valid cancellation request may be eligible for refunds through the FTC settlement fund or by contacting Chegg support directly with proof of cancellation.
- Chegg Skills (Online Courses): For specific vocational or professional courses, secondary documentation from partners like Guild Education indicates that refund eligibility typically expires 14 days after the program start date. After this window, tuition assistance or personal payments are generally non-refundable.
- Subscription Access: When a standard subscription is canceled, the user generally retains access to the digital materials until the end of the paid billing period.
What Does Not Control the Issue
It is important to distinguish between different Chegg products and legal jurisdictions to avoid confusion:
- Physical Textbook Returns: The 21-day return window often cited in student forums applies specifically to physical textbook rentals and is not the controlling policy for digital online courses or subscriptions.
- Colombian Consumer Law: Although this site has a Colombia-themed domain, the Colombian "Derecho de Retracto" (Right of Retraction) does not apply to U.S.-based transactions with Chegg. U.S. consumers are protected by the FTC and state-level automatic renewal laws.
- University Policies: Refund schedules set by a student's university do not dictate Chegg’s private corporate refund policy.
Policy vs. Regulatory Rights
| Feature | Chegg Subscription Policy | FTC/ROSCA Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Cancellation Method | Online account settings | Must be "simple and clear" |
| Post-Cancellation Charges | Prohibited | Legally prohibited; subject to fines |
| Partial Month Refunds | Generally not provided | Not mandated by federal law |
| Disclosure of Terms | Found in Terms of Use | Must be "clear and conspicuous" |
Practical Checklist for Refund Requests
If you are seeking a refund for an online course or believe you were charged in error, follow these steps to secure evidence for your claim:
- Locate your Cancellation Confirmation: Find the automated email sent by Chegg when you canceled. This is the most critical piece of evidence if you are charged later.
- Check the 14-Day Window: For Chegg Skills or vocational courses, verify the exact date the program began to determine if you are within the 14-day eligibility period.
- Capture Screenshots: Take a screenshot of your "Account Settings" page showing the current status of your subscription.
- Contact Support: Use the official Chegg Help Center to submit a formal refund request. Reference the 2025 FTC settlement if you were charged after a documented cancellation.
- Escalate if Necessary: If Chegg fails to honor a valid cancellation, you can report the violation to the FTC Consumer Response Center.
FAQ
Can I get a refund if I forgot to cancel my subscription? Official policy generally does not mandate refunds for "forgotten" subscriptions if the terms were clearly disclosed. However, under the 2025 settlement, if the cancellation process was found to be intentionally confusing, you may have grounds for a dispute.
How long does it take to process a Chegg refund? While secondary sources suggest 7 to 10 business days, official documentation does not guarantee a specific timeframe. You should request a reference number for your refund request to track its progress.
What if I am charged after I already canceled? Under the 2025 FTC order, Chegg is strictly prohibited from charging consumers after a valid cancellation. If this occurs, provide your cancellation confirmation email to your bank and Chegg support to reverse the charge.
Does the refund policy change for international students? This guide focuses on U.S. consumers. International refund policies may vary based on local consumer protection laws in the student's home country, though Chegg's global terms often mirror U.S. standards for digital services.