Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing

Students are responsible for understanding the processes and timelines for adding, dropping, and withdrawing from courses, as well as the difference between dropping and withdrawing. Students are encouraged to meet with a student success advisor if they do not understand this process.

Adding Courses

Adding a course means you are officially registered in a course and you assume the responsibility and financial obligation of being an enrolled student.

  • Students may add courses during the Add/Drop period, which is the first five days of the term.
  • Students may add courses any time during the term if the course has not started, and there are still open seats in the course.
  • Instructor permission is required if a student wishes to add a course after the Add/Drop period or after the start date of a late starting course.
  • Adding courses may not be done over the telephone. Students must add courses online or in person.

Dropping Courses

Dropping a course means that it will not appear on the transcript.

  • Students may drop courses online without penalty during the Add/Drop period, which is the first five days of the term.
  • Some courses begin after the Add/Drop period. Students may drop these courses online through the close of business the day after the first class meets.
  • Dropping a course within the Add/Drop period will result in a full refund of tuition and fees. Refund checks will be issued within fifteen (15) business days of the drop.
  • Failure to attend class does not qualify as a drop. Unless you officially drop a course, you are responsible for full tuition and fees.

Withdrawing from Courses

Withdrawing from a course occurs after the Add/Drop period has ended. Withdrawing is the official notification to the college that you will no longer be attending the course. The course will remain on the transcript, and a W will appear on the transcript in place of a letter grade. A W does not affect a student’s GPA; however, it does affect a student’s completion rate and may lead to academic warning or suspension.

  • The final date for official course withdrawal is the last day on which students may officially terminate their enrollment in a course and shall be the date on which eighty percent (80%) of the days in the academic term have elapsed.
  • If a course does not meet the entire length of the term, the final date for official course withdrawal shall be established as the date on which eighty percent (80%) of the instructional days for the course have elapsed.
  • The last day to withdraw for each course can be found on the online schedule.
  • Students may withdraw online through eServices. In some cases, a student may be required to submit an Add/Drop/Withdraw form to the Registrar’s Office.
  • Failure to attend class does not qualify as a withdrawal.
  • Withdrawing from a course does not result in a refund.

Important Notes about Dropping/Withdrawing

  • Dropping or withdrawing from a course may affect a student’s financial aid, and may require the student to repay a portion of that aid.
  • Students whose cumulative completion rate falls below 66.67% risk being placed on academic warning or suspension.
  • Pell Census Date: Courses added after this date are not considered Pell eligible unless approved through a Pell Census Appeal.