- Academic Programs & Support
- Academic Services
- Office of the Registrar
- Withdrawal Information
Withdrawal Information
After consultation with their academic advisor and the instructor of the course, a student may withdraw from any course. Withdrawing from a course:
- Must be done before 5:00 pm on the date of the Withdrawal Deadline published by the Office of the Registrar but shouldn't be done until after the add / drop period.
- Will NOT result in a refund and could cause the student to owe the University.
- Will affect satisfactory academic progress as related to academic standing and financial aid.
- Will prevent the course from counting towards the twelve (12) credit hours required for full time enrollment status.
- Will result in a grade of "W" on the student's academic transcript. Students are permitted to withdrawal from a maximum of sixteen (16) credit hours during their career at Western Carolina University. Any withdrawal beyond the limit will result in a grade of Withdrew-Failing "WF" which will affect the semester and cumulative GPA as if it were an "F".
How to Withdraw From a Course
The course withdrawal process for all students regardless of level or student type is completed in the student's myWCU and must be done before 5:00 pm on the date of the withdrawal deadline.
Students with Holds preventing registration (such as balance due) will not be able to withdraw themselves. Please email registrar@wcu.edu and include your 920# and the course you would like to be withdrawn from. This email must be received before 5:00 pm on the date of the withdrawal deadline.
Course Withdrawal Deadlines
Below are the charts of withdrawal deadlines, listed by semester.
| Part of Term | Course Start Date | Course End Date | Withdrawal Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 8 Weeks | January 25th | March 19th | February 5th |
| Last 8 Weeks | March 22nd | May 14th | April 2nd |
| Full Term | January 25th | May 14th | March 19th |
| PART OF TERM | COURSE START DATE | COURSE END DATE | WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE |
|---|---|---|---|
| MINIMESTER | MAY 17TH | JUNE 1st | MAY 19TH |
| MINIMESTER EXTENDED | MAY 17TH | JUNE 15TH | MAY 27TH |
| FIRST 8 WEEKS | MAY 17TH | JULY 2ND | JUNE 9TH |
| FULL TERM | MAY 17TH | AUGUST 20TH | JULY 7TH |
| FIRST 4.5 WEEKS | JUNE 2ND | JULY 2ND | JUNE 17TH |
| FIRST 4.5 WEEKS EXTENDED | MAY 31ST | JULY 23RD | JULY 1ST |
| NINE WEEKS | JUNE 2ND | AUGUST 5TH | JULY 7TH |
| LAST 8 WEEKS | JULY 6TH | AUGUST 20TH | JULY 22ND |
| LAST 5 WEEKS EXTENDED | JUNE 24TH | JULY 31ST | JULY 13TH |
| LAST 4.5 WEEKS | JULY 6TH | AUGUST 5TH | JULY 21ST |
| Travel Course | MAY 17TH | AUGUST 20TH | JULY 8TH |
| Part of Term | Course Start Date | Course End Date | Withdrawal Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST 8 WEEKS | AUGUST 22RD | OCTOBER 14TH | SEPTEMBER 16TH |
| Last 8 Weeks | OCTOBER 17TH | DECEMBER 9TH | NOVEMBER 11TH |
| FULL TERM | AUGUST 22RD | DECEMBER 9TH | OCTOBER 28TH |
| Part of Term | Course Start Date | Course End Date | Withdrawal Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 8 Weeks | January 17th | March 10th | February 10th |
| Last 8 Weeks | March 13TH | May 5TH | APRIL 7TH |
| Full Term | January 17th | MAY 5TH | March 24th |
| PART OF TERM | COURSE START DATE | COURSE END DATE | WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE |
| MINIMESTER | MAY 9TH | MAY 24TH | MAY 13TH |
| MINIMESTER EXTENDED | MAY 9TH | JUNE 7th | May 19th |
| FIRST 8 WEEKS | MAY 9TH | JUNE 24TH | JUNE 1ST |
| FULL TERM | MAY 9TH | AUGUST 19TH | JUNE 29TH |
| FIRST 4.5 WEEKS | JUNE 1ST | JULY 1ST | JUNE 13TH |
| FIRST 4.5 WEEKS EXTENDED | MAY 23RD | JULY 15TH | JUNE 20TH |
| NINE WEEKS | JUNE 1ST | AUGUST 4TH | JULY 5TH |
| LAST 8 WEEKS | JULY 5TH | AUGUST 19TH | JULY 27TH |
| LAST 4.5 WEEKS | JULY 5TH | AUGUST 4TH | JULY 15TH |
| Travel Course | MAY 9TH | AUGUST 19TH | TBD |
Whether a student is withdrawing from the current semester only or withdrawing completely from the University with no plans to return to Western Carolina University, the process is the same and is considered a University Withdrawal.
Withdrawing from the University after the start of the semester will result in a grade of "W" in all ungraded courses. Withdrawals resulting from a University Withdrawal do not count toward the state-mandated limit for course withdrawals. Withdrawing from all courses:
- Must be done before the Withdrawal Deadline published by the Office of the Registrar.
- May result in a partial refund (see refund policy).
- Will affect satisfactory academic progress as related to academic standing and financial aid.
- May not be used to avoid penalty as the result of academic misconduct.
Failure to withdraw (abandonment) will result in a grade of "F", and affect both GPA and academic standing.
How to Withdraw From the Semester
The University Withdrawal process for all students regardless of level or student type is initiated in the Office of Student Retention. Please visit us on the first floor of Killian Annex or call us at 828-227-7171 with your Release of Information PIN.
Post-Deadline University Withdrawal
There are three exceptions to the post-deadline University withdrawal policy that will allow a student to withdraw from all courses. . A student seeking an exception to the deadline should contact the Office of Student Retention (phone: 828-227-7171 or email: retention@wcu.edu). Students must provide evidence (documentation) supporting the exception they are claiming. These exceptions are:
- Withdrawals for medical or mental health
- Withdrawals for deployment or other military contingency (email: military@wcu.edu)
- Withdrawals for significant extenuating circumstances (email: retention@wcu.edu)
Post-Deadline Course Withdrawal
A single course withdrawal is only permitted when the student is enrolled in more than one course but isn't requesting to be withdrawn from all courses. The only exception to a post-deadline course withdrawal is a medical withdrawal.
- Student must submit withdrawal request with supporting medical documentation to the College Dean of the course.
Contact Us
206 Killian Annex
Cullowhee, NC 28723
828.227.7216 tel
828.227.7217 fax
registrar@wcu.edu
graduation@wcu.edu
transcriptrequest@wcu.edu
Office Hours: 8 am-5 pm, Mon-Fri