Attendance in classes is important. Students who stop attending classes are at risk of the following:
- Being dropped for not showing up. This typically occurs in the first few weeks of the semester when a student has never attended. The course is removed from the student’s schedule, they are not charged for the course, and it does not show up on the student’s transcript.
- Being administratively withdrawn. This typically occurs if a student has been attending, then walks away without contacting their instructor, advisor, or the Registrar’s Office to officially withdraw, prior to the last date of withdrawal. A grade of AW is entered on the transcript, which does not impact overall GPA, but can have other implications – see the withdrawal impacts outlined below.
- Receiving an administrative failure. This typically occurs after the last date of withdrawal when a student’s current grade in the course is a failing grade, and they stop submitting work or attending class. A grade of AF is entered on the transcript, which factors into the student’s GPA just like an F grade, and can have both academic and financial implications.
It is important that if one decides to stop attending, they take the required actions of officially withdrawing. However, before withdrawing from a class, it is important to understand how a withdrawal will impact the following areas:
- Program Progression. If this course is a prerequisite for a class one plans to take in the subsequent semester, it is important to know how that will impact the ability to move forward and graduate in the intended timeline. Students should connect with their advisor or the Advising Center to review this before withdrawing.
- Co-requisites. If the course one is seeking to drop is a co-requisite of another class they are taking, the student must speak with their advisor and/or Department Chair to determine if they are eligible to drop one, or must drop both classes.
- Financial Aid. Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress to continue getting aid each semester. If this withdrawal makes a student ineligible to meet these guidelines, their ability to be awarded in future terms can be impacted. Students should have a conversation with the Advising Center to determine how this withdrawal will impact their aid eligibility.
- Scholarships. Some scholarships require students to be enrolled full-time (12 credits or more). Withdrawing from classes can impact a student’s ability to maintain their scholarship. Students are encouraged to discuss this with their scholarship contact.
- Pending Student Loan Disbursements. If a student still has pending loan disbursements that are determined by student credit hours, withdrawing from classes can impact eligibility and prevent future loan disbursements.
- Refund policy. If a student who has been awarded Title IV financial aid funds withdraws from all courses before the 60% point of the semester, a portion of the funds awarded must be returned, and the student will likely have an outstanding balance. Withdrawing after the 60% mark, the student is considered as having earned all awarded funds. Please note that the date calculated is not necessarily the date a student officially withdraws with the Registrar’s Office, but rather the last date of attendance in the class.
- Athletic Eligibility. Student athletes within the USCAA conference are required to be enrolled full-time (12 credits minimum) during their season, and successfully complete 24 credits in the academic year to remain eligible. Students are encouraged to review this with their coach prior to withdrawing.
- Lodging. Students who are in lodging are required to maintain full-time enrollment (12 credits or more). Before withdrawing, students are encouraged to connect with the Director of Residential Life to discuss this impact.
When in doubt, students are encouraged to have a conversation with their advisor or the Advising Center prior to withdrawing to understand all the possible implications.
