Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual

J-1: WITHDRAWAL

Procedure

Withdrawal from the Penn State University is a serious action. The University has the responsibility to advise the student of the implications of the withdrawal action. However, it is the responsibility of the student who withdraws from enrollment in courses at the Penn State University to make the final decision and to understand the implications of their withdrawal action.

Students considering withdrawing are strongly encouraged to discuss their situation with their academic adviser.  Students receiving financial aid are further encouraged to consult with their campus representative from the Office of Student Aid about potential implications.

To initiate a withdrawal, the student must sign an Official Withdrawal form and follow submission instructions on the form. The Official Withdrawal form can be obtained at https://registrar.psu.edu/student-forms/withdrawal/

The effective date of the withdrawal action will be the date the form is received by the Office of the University Registrar. The Fee Assessor will determine the amount of refund due the student. The Bursar's office home page gives details on refunds of tuition and charges.

Students suspected of academic misconduct are restricted from dropping courses (including withdrawals) during the adjudication process.  Details are found in G-9: Academic Integrity.

Students who live in a residence hall must check out of the hall within 24 hours after processing the withdrawal action.

This withdrawal action drops all courses (current semester and future semesters) offered through resident instruction, continuing education, and World Campus.

The deadline for withdrawing is 5:00 p.m. on the last day of classes for a given semester.

A "W" symbol will appear in the grade column on a student's transcript for all courses still in session on the effective date of withdrawal. Courses that ended before the effective date of the withdrawal will follow normal grade-reporting conventions. All courses that have not yet started as of the effective date of the withdrawal will be deleted and no entry will appear on the student's transcript.

The withdrawal date will appear on the student transcript after the course list of the semester of the withdrawal.

Degree students who withdraw from the University must apply for re-enrollment if they wish to return to degree status (see Senate Policy 58-00).

Medical Withdrawal:

In the event that a student may be unable to complete a schedule of classes due to illness, a withdrawal for medical reasons should be accomplished. Student medical withdrawals are authorized under one of two actions.

1. University physicians can initiate withdrawal actions by recommending to the college dean/campus executive officer that the student be withdrawn. The University physician sends a memo to the student college dean/campus executive officer authorizing medical withdrawal.
2. Students who require a medical withdrawal and are unable to consult with a University physician may contact their college dean/campus executive officer and request a medical withdrawal. The college dean/campus executive officer may initiate the request for a medical withdrawal on behalf of a student. Consultation and authorization from a University physician may be solicited.

Students capable of signing the Official Withdrawal form are expected to do so. If the student is not capable of signing the Official Withdrawal form, the college dean/campus executive officer may sign on behalf of the student.

University physicians have the option of placing registration holds on students withdrawing for medical reasons. This hold will require that the student consult with University physicians before a re-enrollment request will be approved.

Summer Only Withdrawal:

There are two special conditions associated with a "summer only withdrawal" These conditions are:

1. Because summer is not a required period of enrollment, students withdrawing during the summer continue to be eligible for enrollment during the following fall semester. (Re-enrollment is not required.)
2. Summer only withdrawal is not available to newly admitted undergraduate students during their summer of admission. New summer admits must process a regular withdrawal for summer and re-enroll for the fall semester.

Military Duty Withdrawal:

Military Withdrawal for U.S. Armed Forces active-duty service members or activated reserve-component service members (Guard or Reserve), and/or those who are dependent spouses or dependent domestic partners of the active-duty service member or activated reserve-component service member is covered under J-3 U.S. Military Leave of Absence, Withdrawal, and Late Drop.

Senate Policy:  56-30, Withdrawal