Guidelines for Special Circumstance Withdrawals and Drops
Understanding the process for special circumstance withdrawals and drops is essential for students who face challenges preventing them from continuing their coursework. These guidelines clarify the eligibility criteria, required documentation, and processes for requesting a special circumstance withdrawal or drop. Whether dealing with military assignments, health issues, or other unforeseen events, the Office of the Registrar is committed to supporting students through these procedures.
Special Circumstance Drop
A request to drop a specific course due to special circumstances should be directed to the Office of the Registrar for review. This option may be appropriate for courses requiring physical activity that cannot be completed due to health concerns. A special drop applies when students reduce their course load but do not withdraw entirely from the semester. For example, a student reducing from 12 credit hours to 3 credit hours may qualify for a special drop, whereas a full course withdrawal requires a withdrawal request.
Special Circumstance Withdrawal
When eligibility criteria are met, the Office of the Registrar will review requests for special circumstance withdrawals. These criteria are subject to change at the Office’s discretion. All required documentation related to a special circumstance withdrawal must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar for processing. To proceed, please complete the form linked below.
Retroactive Withdrawal
A retroactive withdrawal request applies when a special circumstance impacted attendance in a previous semester. For instance, a retroactive withdrawal may be appropriate if a student experienced an eligible event during the Fall Semester but is submitting the request in a later semester (e.g., Spring).
Special Circumstance Drop or Withdrawal Form (maxient.com)
Qualifying Circumstances for Drop or Withdrawal
Requests for a special circumstance drop or withdrawal must include official documentation supporting the student’s inability to attend classes during the relevant period. Qualifying circumstances include:
Military:
- Field training exercises
- Active deployment
- Training-related deployment
- Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders
- School training orders
Health:
- Hospitalization
- Death or emergency of an immediate family member
- Doctor’s statement specifying the student’s inability to attend for a specific or extended period
- Counselor or therapist statement confirming the student’s inability to attend
Other:
- Police reports
- Additional documentation supporting the request