Leaving the University

Undergraduate Complete Withdrawal from the University

A complete withdrawal from the University is defined as leaving the University by dropping all classes after having paid registration fees. This option for undergraduates only applies to the Fall and Spring (regular) Semesters. During the regular semester, students are allowed seven days to complete the withdrawal process after initiating the procedure online through the Registrar's Office. Complete withdrawals cannot be initiated after the last day of classes of the semester and must be completed before the beginning of the final examination period. If a student withdraws from all classes before the end of the second week of the semester, all classes are deleted from the student's permanent record for the term. If a student withdraws from the University from the third week of classes and before the final exam period, the student will receive a grade of WC (withdrawal-complete) for each class processed in the complete withdrawal, regardless of whether the student is passing at the time of withdrawal. Grades for a complete withdrawal appear on the permanent record but are not included in the student's grade average or in the W unit maximum.

Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor prior to submitting the online withdrawal request to discuss the consequences of this action. The Withdrawal from the University section in the Schedule of Classes provides detailed instructions, deadlines, and refund information.

Graduate and Professional Complete Withdrawal from the University

A complete withdrawal from the University is defined as leaving the University by dropping all classes after having paid registration fees. This option for graduate and professional students only applies to the Fall and Spring (regular) Semesters. During the regular semester, students are allowed seven days to complete the withdrawal process after initiating the procedure online through the Registrar's Office. Complete withdrawals cannot be initiated after the last day of classes of the semester and must be completed before the beginning of the final examination period. If a graduate or professional student withdraws from all classes before the end of the fourth week of the semester, all classes are deleted from the student's permanent record for the term. If the student withdraws from the University from the fifth week of classes and before the final exam period, the student will receive a grade of WC (withdrawal-complete) for each class processed in the complete withdrawal, regardless of whether the student is passing at the time of withdrawal. WC grades appear on the permanent record but are not included in the student's grade average.

Students should be aware that withdrawal from all courses might adversely affect their financial aid and visa status and their eligibility for fellowships, awards, scholarships, and graduate assistantships. For this reason, students are urged to consult with their advisors in their home departments prior to submitting the online withdrawal request. The Withdrawal from the University section in the Schedule of Classes provides detailed instructions, deadlines, and refund information.

Medical Withdrawal

Withdrawals filed before the first deadline at the end of the second week of classes (Fall and Spring Semesters), result in cancellation of registration in all courses. Since there is no record of enrollment, the Medical Withdrawal is unnecessary.

Medical withdrawal after the tuition refund deadline (after the fourth week of classes), should be initiated with the Campus Health Service. Adequate medical documentation from a licensed health care provider in support of the medical withdrawal must be submitted to Campus Health by the student. Procedures and instructions for completing a medical withdrawal may be obtained from the Campus Health Service.

A student requesting a retroactive medical withdrawal after the last day of classes must attach a signed Medical Withdrawal Form from the Campus Health Service to the petition for a retroactive withdrawal. Undergraduates must submit a General Petition to the University Petition Committee, while graduate students must submit a Graduate Petition to the Graduate College.

Exception: The University offers accelerated, professional and special degree programs that are sometimes supported by outside donors or organizations. Because of the nature of these programs, students may not be entitled to any refunds of tuition or fees, irrespective of the reason for the withdrawal. It is the student's responsibility to know the terms and conditions of such accelerated or special programs in which they are enrolled.

Note: Students who withdraw from the University for medical reasons and who are medically encumbered must have their readmission approved by the Campus Health Service.

Complete Retroactive Withdrawal

Under appropriate circumstances, undergraduate students may petition for a complete retroactive withdrawal from all classes for a previous semester, and may, in rare circumstances, consider a petition for partial retroactive withdrawal. If a student is registered for a 7½ (or 8) week session only (i.e., with no concurrent enrollment in a longer or shorter session), a complete retroactive withdrawal would apply to all courses within that 7½ (or 8) week session. Petitions for retroactive withdrawal are only available before the student's degree is awarded.

Students may petition for a complete retroactive withdrawal based on either extenuating circumstances (Retroactive Withdrawal for Extenuating Circumstances), or for other reasons that do not rise to that level (General Retroactive Withdrawal). Neither unsatisfactory performance nor failure to take action within published deadlines constitutes an adequate reason for any type of retroactive withdrawal. Other restrictions, along with filing procedures, are available on the General Petitions site.

The time limit for filing a petition for a retroactive withdrawal either for extenuating circumstances or other reasons is typically one year from the last day of class of the semester for which the retroactive withdrawal is sought. If a student demonstrates good cause for being unable to file a petition within this one year period, then the time period may be extended. If a petition for retroactive withdrawal is approved, the student will receive a WC grade for all classes to which the retroactive withdrawal relates during the semester for which the student sought the withdrawal.

For the graduate student policy on retroactive withdrawal, see the Graduate Catalog.

Dismissal from Courses or from the University

Reprehensible conduct or failure to comply with university regulations may result in a student's dismissal from a course or from the University at any time. The Dean of Students Office is responsible for this procedure. Such action may be posted on the student's academic record. Students suspended from the University are denied student privileges during the period of suspension, and may not register for online course work nor establish credit by examination during the period of suspension, except with permission of the dean of the college in which they have previously registered.

For further information about these policies contact your academic advisor or:

Office of the Registrar
The University of Arizona
Administration Building, Room 210
Phone: (520) 621-3113
Email: reghelp@email.arizona.edu