Last update: 20 Oct, 2022
Scope of Policy and Rationale
An undergraduate or graduate student who wishes to discontinue a course after the drop period has ended may withdraw during the time period specified below. Withdrawing from courses during the prescribed period may have serious consequences for academic progress to the degree, for financial aid eligibility, and (for international students) visa requirements. Students should consult with their instructors and academic advisors before withdrawing from a course.
Definitions
Drop
The term "drop" refers to an action taken by a student during the first two weeks of the fall, spring and summer semesters at TUJ to remove a course from his/her transcript. A student is not financially responsible for dropped courses.
Withdraw
The term "withdraw" refers to an action taken by a student to discontinue enrollment in a course after the drop period in weeks three until the withdrawal deadline indicated on Academic Calendar. The course is recorded on the transcript with the notation of "W." A student is financially responsible for courses from which he/she has withdrawn. Course withdrawals are included in the course repeat count (see the policy on Repeating a Course).
Policy Statement
The process of discontinuing enrollment in a course during week three until the withdrawal deadline indicated on Academic Calendar is referred to as withdrawing. A student is financially responsible for courses from which he/she has withdrawn.
A student who must withdraw due to extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control may petition for an "excused withdrawal". An excused withdrawal is generally only approved for all courses in a term. In exceptional cases, an excused withdrawal can be approved for a single course when the need to withdraw is directly related, or attributed, to requirements related to that course.
- The course is recorded on the transcript with the notation of "WE."
- Courses with WE grades will not be included in the course repeat count.
- Petition must be filed within one (1) year from the end date of the semester in which the student is seeking an excused withdrawal.
- A student who is granted an excused withdrawal (WE) for medical reasons will not be permitted to return to the University until he/she presents a statement from a medical provider showing that he/she is medically ready to return to the rigors of academic work.
- A student will be financially responsible for courses from which he/she has withdrawn with an approved excuse.
Excused Withdrawal Procedure
Students may apply for an excused withdrawal due to a serious extenuating circumstance (see below). Students must see an academic advisor at the Academic Advising Center. The advisor will discuss the options and assist students with the completion and submission of this petition if appropriate. Office of the University Registrar (OUR) at Temple's Main Campus will review the petition upon receipt of all the necessary and supporting documentation. Students will be notified of a decision by email within 30 days after submission of a complete petition. Failure to provide all necessary documents may delay review of the case and result in denial. Office of the University Registrar may reject a petition if:
- The petition is incomplete.
- The final grades for the term are not F or W.
- The petition is for more than one term.
- The petition is missing required information.
- The petition is not signed by the student (or appropriately authorized representative) and the advisor/program coordinator.
- The petition is submitted directly by the student (or appropriately authorized representative).
- The petition is for a term that exceeds the one year time limit.
When reviewing the petitions, the Office of the University Registrar will consider all pertinent information for decision-making, such as course participation, meeting with advisors, notes from the medical provider, etc.
Extenuating Circumstances
Extenuating circumstance refers to situations that are beyond a student's control and which inhibit continued enrollment at the University. These circumstances are limited to the following:
- Serious medical conditions
- Serious family emergencies
- Military deployment
- The student's death
- Other catastrophic circumstances
Petition Forms
Serious medical circumstances that render student unable to complete all classes in the term:
- Required Forms
- Other Information
Serious family emergency that renders student unable to complete all classes in the term:
- Required Forms
- Other Information
- Documentation to support personal statement
Military deployment to a location that would render student unable to complete all classes in the term:
- Required Forms
- Other Information
- Deployment orders
Other extenuating circumstance that would render student unable to complete all classes in the term:
- Required Form
- Other Information
- Documentation to support personal statement
Excused Withdrawal Refund Schedule
Undergraduate and graduate students may petition for an excused withdrawal due to a serious documented extenuating circumstance that prohibits continued enrollment in all courses for the term. Students must see an advisor/program coordinator in their school/college. The advisor/program coordinator will discuss the options and assist students with the completion and submission of this petition if appropriate. Office of the University Registrar will review the petition upon receipt of all the necessary and supporting documentation. Students will be notified of the final decision by email within 30 days after submission of a complete petition. If eligible, the refund amount is calculated in accordance with the University's refund policy taking into account the last known date of participation in or attendance at an academically related activity (online or in-person).