| University Undergraduate Advising Handbook | |
During a semester or session of enrollment, withdrawal is the appropriate action if a student wants/needs to drop all the credits he/she has scheduled in resident instruction, Continuing Education, and World Campus (even if his/her credits are in only one course). Withdrawal drops all courses (current and future semesters) through all delivery systems.
A student may decide to withdraw for financial, scholastic, medical, military, or personal reasons.
Before the first day of classes, withdrawal is not necessary. Instead, a cancellation of registration may be processed. After the semester begins, if the student has not attended any classes the procedure for administrative course cancellation may be followed.
A student who stops attending classes without officially withdrawing may receive grades of F in all courses scheduled for that semester or session.
Deadline
Consultation
Impact on the Student's Record
Impact on Future Enrollment at Penn State
Summer-Only Withdrawal
Alternatives to Withdrawal
Student Action
Medical Withdrawal
Military Withdrawal
A withdrawal can be processed until 5:00 p.m. on the last day of classes (before the final exam period begins). On eLion a student can withdraw up to the time indicated as the deadline for the transaction. (Summer session withdrawals cannot be processed on eLion. See Summer-Only Withdrawal Instructions and Student Action below.) If the student is unable to be on campus to process a withdrawal and cannot process the withdrawal using eLion, he/she should call the appropriate dean's office to initiate the withdrawal process.
Because the decision to withdraw has far-reaching ramifications, the student should receive advising when considering withdrawal.
In addition, students identified below MUST consult with the indicated office prior to withdrawing:
Athletes (Intercollegiate, University Park) must meet with their academic counselors in the Morgan Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes prior to withdrawing; current and future eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition will be affected. To determine whether a student is classified as a student-athlete, advisers and students can use Academic Summary on eLion.
Comprehensive Studies Program/ACT 101 students should go to the Comprehensive Studies Program office, 325 Grange Building, University Park. A review by the academic coordinator and/or counselor is required. To determine whether a University Park student is in CSP, authorized advisers can use ISIS screen AUZU (press F9): EOP will be indicated in the "RESVSPACE" field.
Student financial aid recipients must contact the Office of Student Aid, 314 Shields Building, University Park, by e-mail or at 814-865-6301, or the student aid representative at his/her Penn State campus. Future financial aid may be at risk.
International students must contact the Office of International Students and Scholars, 410 Boucke Building, University Park, 814-865-7681. Immigration status is at risk. To determine whether a student is classified as "international," authorized advisers can use ISIS screen AUZU (press F9) and check the code in the "RES" field at the top right.
Veterans benefit recipients must go to the Office of Veterans Programs, 325 Boucke Building, University Park, or the veterans contact at other Penn State campuses. Veterans risk losing their benefits and may incur costs.
When considering withdrawal, all students should consult with campus resources if appropriate, e.g., Disability Services, Center for Adult Learner Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Multicultural Resource Center.
IMPACT ON THE STUDENT'S RECORD
Official withdrawal results in a W symbol recorded on the student's transcript for courses in session on the date of withdrawal. No credit is earned. The student's grade-point average is not affected. In cases where a course was completed (e.g., a part-semester course) before a withdrawal was processed, a grade or the appropriate symbol is recorded. The withdrawal reason indicated on the official withdrawal form is stated in the special actions and notes section of the student's transcript.
A student who has late dropped a course or courses and then withdraws in the same semester is still assessed the fee for late drop, but withdrawal supersedes late drop, and the late dropped credits are not recorded on the student's transcript. However, if the course that was late dropped ended before the withdrawal was processed (e.g., a part-semester course), then late drop credits are used, and the late drop symbol is noted on the student's record.
IMPACT ON FUTURE ENROLLMENT AT PENN STATE
Any classes for which the student has registered in future semesters/sessions are canceled when a student withdraws (except in the case of a summer-only withdrawal). If the student plans to resume degree candidacy after withdrawing, he/she should understand the re-enrollment procedure. Re-enrollment will be necessary unless the student withdraws for the summer session only.
If a student processes a summer-only withdrawal, re-enrollment is not necessary for the following fall semester, and courses the student scheduled for fall will not be cancelled.
Note for first-year students: It is not possible for a first-year student enrolled for the first time in the summer to process a summer-only withdrawal; the student would need to process a regular withdrawal. Courses scheduled for the fall are cancelled and the student must re-enroll to return to degree status.
The student should consider the following: schedule adjustment, late course drop, and deferred grade. He/she could also consider a leave of absence for the following semester if time off is desired.
During fall and spring semesters, there are two options for processing a withdrawal: either receive expert advising and process a withdrawal through eLion, or follow the steps below. To withdraw from a summer session, follow the steps below (summer withdrawals cannot be processed on eLion).
| Student Status | Academic Unit |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree: | College dean or director of DUS |
| Undergraduate provisional: | Director of DUS |
| Nondegree-conditional: | Dean of college in which student wishes to enroll |
| Nondegree-regular: | Registrar's office |
Completing the form requires you to obtain the signature of the appropriate dean and to report the date of the last class you attended. (This date is used to calculate the tuition adjustment if the form is submitted within one calendar month of the date indicated. Otherwise the adjustment is based on the date the form is submitted to the Registrar's office.)
The tuition adjustment policy is described online. Students withdrawing before the ninth week of classes may receive a partial refund based on the week of the semester that the withdrawal occurred. For specific information, contact the Fee Assessor's Office, 103 Shields Building, University Park, 814-865-6528.
Students who live in the residence halls must vacate their rooms within twenty-four hours of filing the official withdrawal form and must check out of the hall before leaving. The Housing Assignment Office, 814-865-7501, will determine the amount of the refund if any is owed to the student.
Students withdrawing for medical reasons do not need any special verification to do so. Medical withdrawal is not used for the illness of a family member. When processing a medical withdrawal, the student should check the box titled "Medical" on the withdrawal form. In some cases, when there is significant concern about individual or community health, the director of University Health Services can require students who have processed a medical withdrawal to obtain medical clearance for re-enrollment.
Students called to active duty during a semester or session should present a copy of their military orders to the Registrar’s office, 114 Shields Building, University Park, PA 16802. Students will complete a withdrawal form, citing "Military" as the reason. In addition to the offices normally contacted by the Registrar when a withdrawal is processed, the Office of Student Aid and the Fee Assessor’s office will be notified.
If timing does not permit a student to complete a withdrawal form and present his/her military orders to the Registrar’s office prior to leaving campus, the student may withdraw by sending a personally signed written request for a military withdrawal to the Registrar’s office by mail or fax (814-863-1929). A copy of his/her military orders must accompany the request.
Tuition and Housing Fees
Students processing a military withdrawal will not be charged tuition and fees for the semester/session that the withdrawal was processed. Students who reside on campus will only be charged for room and board expenses incurred prior to withdrawal.
Student Aid
Student financial aid and costs for students who process a military withdrawal will automatically be adjusted.
Re-enrollment
Students processing a military withdrawal are eligible for military re-enrollment.
The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. Please consult a Penn State academic adviser for more detailed information.
This page is part of the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook, which is maintained by the Division of Undergraduate Studies, DUS@psu.edu.
Last Update: December 2007