Dropping and Adding Classes

Q: What should we know before dropping a class?

A: The student should never stop attending a class without talking with his/her instructor first.

After consulting with their instructor/advisor, if the student needs to drop a class, he/she must follow proper university procedures. Monetary refund credits are determined by the date the course is initiated/dropped; no refunds are issued after the fourth week of the regular semester or the first two weeks of each summer session. To protect their grade point average, students should contact their academic advisor and officially drop the class. Failure to officially withdraw from a class will result in a final grade of “F.” The Office of the Registrar’s website is a good source for withdrawal deadline information. If a student receives financial aid or loans, it is very important to discuss dropping classes with a financial aid advisor. Any changes in the student’s class load may affect the student’s financial aid package.

Q: How does a student drop or add a class?

A: Through the first week of class, all adjustments to a student’s class schedule can be done online via OneStart.

After the first week of classes for the major terms through roughly the eighth week of the term (listed as the “Automatic W” date on the Academic Calendar), students may complete a late drop/add request via OneStart/Student Center/Late drop & add classes. Note that University College students are required to meet with an advisor before any request can be initiated and approved. After the eighth week of the term, Drop/Add forms must be used and can be obtained at the Office of Academic and Career Planning, University College Building, Room 3004A.

Late drop/add forms must be taken to the Office of the Registrar by the student for processing. There are various deadlines for withdrawal throughout the semester but academic policy requires that drops after the automatic W period (roughly 8 weeks into the semester) may occur only under extreme, extenuating circumstances. During this period, poor performance is not considered an acceptable reason for withdrawal.

The Office of the Registrar’s website is a good source for withdrawal deadline information. If a student receives financial aid or loans, it is very important to discuss dropping classes with a financial aid advisor. Any changes in the student’s class load may affect the student’s financial aid package.

Q: Why does a student have to get an instructor’s approval before an academic advisor can approve a drop/add ?

A: For dropping a class, from the second week of classes of a major term through roughly the eighth week of classes (Automatic W period) the instructor does not need to approve a student drop but the advisor must approve the action.

It is important for a student to discuss the decision with the instructor prior to dropping the class to make sure it is the appropriate decision. During this period, a student needs to obtain an advisors’ approval in order to drop a class, and a grade of “W” will be assigned, having no effect on the GPA. After this period, a Drop/Add form is required with the instructor’s signature along with the advisor’s signature, and the instructor must also circle either “W” or “F.” If a student is failing and the instructor circles “F,” the student will receive a “F” on his/her transcript, and an “F” will be calculated into the student’s grade point average.

For adding a class, as of the second week of classes, the instructor needs to approve seating in his/her classroom and needs to assure that the student will be able to catch up with any missed material/exercises before allowing him/her to officially add the class. An academic advisor’s signature indicates that the student has taken the prerequisite necessary to register for the class.

Q: If a student withdraws from a class, how will that affect his/her GPA?

A: If a student withdraws from a class with a grade of “W,” the class has no effect on the GPA.

If the student receives an “F” upon withdrawal, however, this will count as a failing grade and will impact the GPA accordingly. Dropping too many courses may affect a student’s satisfactory academic progress and eligibility to receive financial aid.

Office of the Registrar

The Office of the Registrar is open during the fall and spring semesters from 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Fridays; and 9:00 a.m.-Noon on Saturdays (with limited services).

To check your latest course registration you may visit OneStart
(317) 274-1519