REG 02.05.04 – Term Withdrawal from the University

Authority: Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost

History: First Issued: 1966. Last Revised: October 4, 2016.

Related Policies:
NCSU RUL02.66.02 – Registration Cancellation

Additional References:
Refund of Tuition and Fees

Undergraduate Withdrawal Process
Graduate Withdrawal Process
Graduate Certificate Withdrawal Process
Non Degree Withdrawal Process
Withdrawal Appeal Process

Contact Info: Registration and Records (919-515-2572)

1.  Student Obligations

1.1 Students who do not plan to attend the university for a term should ensure that their classes have been dropped prior to the start of the term in order to avoid financial and academic obligations for the term.  Graduate students should ensure that approval for a Leave of Absence has been granted by the Graduate School before dropping classes.

1.2 As of the first day of any term, students enrolled in classes are financially and academically committed to the university for those enrollments (see Refund For Withdrawal). Students who wish to drop all courses for which they are enrolled after the start of a given term must withdraw from the University. Students considering withdrawal should consult their adviser, departmental coordinator of advising, or director of graduate programs before beginning the withdrawal process.  Students initiate a withdrawal through the designated withdrawal process.

1.3 Re-enrollment after a term withdrawal is subject to readmission rules, Satisfactory Academic Progress regulations, and may require additional documentation regarding resolution of the extenuating circumstances as discussed in section 4 below.

2. Undergraduate Term Withdrawal Prior to the Drop/Revision Deadline

2.1 Withdrawals after the first day of classes, but prior to census date, will be recorded on the student’s academic transcript without course information or grades.

2.2 Withdrawals after the census date will be recorded on the student’s academic transcript and courses will be recorded with a W grade.

3.  Graduate Term Withdrawal Prior to the Drop/Revision Deadline

Withdrawals after the first day of classes, but prior to the drop/revision deadline, will be recorded on the student’s academic transcript without course information or grades.

4.  Term Withdrawal After the Drop/Revision Deadline

After the drop/revision deadline, all students are expected to complete all courses for which they are enrolled.  Therefore, withdrawals will only be granted where the withdrawal is necessary due to extenuating circumstances. Students seeking to withdraw due to extenuating circumstances are required to provide documentation supporting the withdrawal.

4.1  Extenuating Circumstances and Required Documents:

4.1.1 Medical: certification by an appropriate medical professional of a serious disruption in academic functioning as a result of a medical condition. Medical withdrawals are subject to review by a University physician.

4.1.2  Psychological: certification by the Counseling Center or by an independent licensed mental health professional of inability to continue due to psychiatric/psychological reasons.  Withdrawals due to a psychological condition are subject to review by the University’s Counseling Center.

4.1.3  Hardship: Documentation of an unforeseeable hardship of any kind resulting in it being unreasonable for the student to continue their academic studies.

4.1.4 Military:  verification that the student has been called to active duty or training in the United States Armed Forces, including service in the National Guard or Reserve.

4.2 Transcript Notations

Students granted a withdrawal from a term after the drop/revision deadline will have their courses recorded on the transcript with a W grade in addition to a withdrawal notation.

5. Withdrawal Request Review after the Drop/Revision Deadline

5.1 Graduate degree student withdrawal requests will be routed to the student’s Director of Graduate Programs, their associate dean, and the Graduate School for review.  Graduate Certificate student withdrawal requests will be routed to the Graduate School for review.

5.2 Undergraduate student withdrawal requests will be routed to the office of the student’s college dean for review.

5.3 Non-Degree Student withdrawal requests will be routed to the Office of Registration and Records for review.

6. Appealing a Withdrawal Decision

6.1 Students denied a withdrawal request can appeal the decision to the Withdrawal Review Committee through the Withdrawal Appeal Process.

6.2  Appeals of a denied withdrawal request must be received within ten (10) calendar days from the date that the written decision is provided, or attempted to be delivered, to the student.  If the tenth (10th) calendar day falls on a weekend or University holiday, the deadline for filing the appeal will be extended to the next University business day.  Failure to submit the appeal within this time limit will render the original decision final and conclusive.