* formerly Policy 170.72 Course Withdrawal Policy
| Policy Category | Policy Owner | Version Effective Date | Review Cycle | Last Reviewed | Policy Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| III. Academic Affairs | Chief Academic Officer | June 10, 2026 | Every 5 years | June 10, 2026 | Registrar's Office |
- Purpose
The purpose of the Course Withdrawal Policy is to help students understand their options if they need to drop or withdraw from a class. It explains the steps to follow, how dropping or withdrawing will affect your transcript, and what you need to know about refunds. We recognize that some students may encounter unexpected situations, such as health issues, family responsibilities, or military obligations, that make it challenging to follow the regular deadlines. This policy guides students on where to go to request an exception to the usual deadlines. - Definitions
- Drop: Students enrolled in courses through UMGC may Drop a course within the timeframe specified below. A Drop means the course will not appear on the student's transcript, and the tuition and related fees will be fully refunded.Â
- Withdrawal: Once the Drop period has ended, students are permitted to withdraw from a course up until the point that 65 percent of the course has been completed. A Withdrawal will result in a "W" grade on the student's transcript, and students will be responsible for all fees and a portion, or all of the tuition based on the refund schedule. Â
For courses offered in the overseas divisions, please refer to the withdrawal and refund information in and for specific timeframes.
- Policy for Drop and Withdrawal
- Students must adhere to the applicable Drop and Withdrawal procedures and deadlines, which are available on both the undergraduate and graduate academic calendars. Only the student may execute a Drop or Withdrawal. Students who don't follow these procedures by the published deadline for a course will receive a grade for that course based on the work submitted and will not receive any tuition refund.
- Students receiving financial aid who plan to withdraw are responsible for following UMGC's Withdrawal procedures. They should consult UMGC Policy V-2.01 Federal Financial Aid Return of Funds, or contact Financial Aid for further guidance, as withdrawing may result in financial penalties. For more details, refer to the Return of Title IV Funds Information.
- Refunds for Drop and Withdrawal
- The amount of tuition refunded is based on the date of the Drop or Withdrawal.
- Drop: Students who Drop before or on the published deadline will receive a full refund of tuition and non-application fees. Students who drop after the published deadline will receive a grade of "W," be considered withdrawn from the course, and may be responsible for tuition and fees.
- Withdrawal: Students who withdraw after the Drop period and before the end of the Withdrawal period will be responsible for all fees and a prorated amount of the tuition as specified in the Tuition Refund Schedule. Students using military tuition assistance may owe a portion of the tuition based on the course completion percentage. For details on tuition assistance returns, see the Return of Tuition Assistance section on the Refunds webpage.
- The amount of tuition refunded is based on the date of the Drop or Withdrawal.
- Exceptions
Students may request an exception to the Drop or Withdrawal refund deadlines due to special circumstances that prevent the student from meeting the published deadlines. Exceptions may include, but are not limited to, situations protected by federal and state regulations, such as mental health conditions or military orders. For more information, visit Exceptions to Course Drop and Withdrawal and Refund Policies.