Drop a class

Before cancelling or withdrawing from a class, discuss your options with your academic advisor.

Check the academic calendar for information about cancelling or withdrawing from a class, including refund information, when permission is required, and when a "W " (withdrawal) will appear on your transcript.

Time frame for cancelling or withdrawing from a class

See the academic calendar for half semester and summer term classes. 


First two weeks of the semester

You may cancel a class through MyU: Academics. The course will not appear on your transcript.

Third through the tenth week of the semester

You may withdraw from a class through MyU: Academics. The course will appear on your transcript with a "W".

After the tenth week of the semester

You may use your one-time discretionary late withdrawal if you have not already done so. Once during your undergraduate enrollment, after the deadline for withdrawal, you may withdraw from a class without providing documentation of extenuating, nonacademic circumstances. The one-time late withdrawal can be used up to and including the last day of instruction for the class. You cannot withdraw after the last day of instruction or after completing the final examination or its equivalent. Use the Academic Policy Petition form to request to use your one-time discretionary late withdrawal.

If you have already used your one-time discretionary late withdrawal, you cannot withdraw from a class without a petition based on documentation of extenuating, nonacademic circumstances. Petitions may be submitted to the Office of the Registrar up to and including the last day of instruction for the class using the Petition to Withdraw from a Course(s) or from all Courses for Nonacademic Reasons form. You cannot submit a petition after the last day of instruction or after completing the final examination or its equivalent. If your petition is approved, you may withdraw from the class.

If you withdraw from a class using your one-time discretionary withdrawal or after a petition to withdraw for extenuating, nonacademic circumstances has been approved, the class will appear on your transcript with a "W".

Drop a class considerations

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Financial impact

Consult with a One Stop counselor before you cancel or withdraw from a class to determine the impact, if any, on your financial aid, tuition, and/or fees.

Undergraduates must maintain a minimum current registration of 6 credits (half-time status) to qualify for federal loans. Some federal, state, and University financial aid programs require full-time status. The effect on your financial aid will depend on when you cancel/withdraw and the type of aid you receive. You may be required to return all or a portion of financial aid disbursed to you.

Alternate option to withdrawing

As an alternate option, if you have already completed a substantial portion of the work for a class, you may work with your instructor to get an "I" (incomplete) in a course and complete the work at a later date. View grading policies for more information on this option.. 

How to drop a class

Text instructions

  1. Log into MyU and select the Academics tab.
  2. Click the Registration sub-tab.
  3. Click the Register button.
  4. Select the Drop tab.
  5. Select the appropriate term and click the Continue button.
  6. Check the box next to the class you would like to drop, and then click the Drop Selected Classes button.
  7. Confirm the classes you want to drop, and then click the Finish Dropping button.
  8. View your results. A green checkmark indicates the drop was successful.

Visual guide

To open the guide in a new window, use the full-screen version.

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