Withdrawal - FAQs
Please read before requesting a withdrawal from a course. Link is at the bottom of the page.
Dropping or Withdrawing from a Course
Students not attending a class in which they are enrolled must drop or withdraw from the class; failure to do so will result in a failing grade on the student’s record (F or WU). Students should not assume the University will remove them from a class for non-payment of fees or that the instructor will remove them for non-attendance.
It is the student’s responsibility to adjust his or her enrollment by the deadlines to avoid charges or be eligible for a full or pro-rated refund. Students who do not plan to attend should drop all classes before the first day of the session of the class to get a full refund. Once the session begins, students who drop/withdraw from their classes will be responsible for pro-rated fees (drop penalty fee if enrolled in extension credit programs) based on the date of dropping or withdrawing. For information about fee refunds and appeals, please visit Student Business Services. For extension programs, visit Extension and International Programs Refund Form.
The difference between dropping class and withdrawing from a class is based on the timing of your decision to stop participating in a class and when you act on that decision:
- Dropping occurs when you take appropriate action to remove the class(es) from your academic record on or before the “last day to drop a class without a grade of W”. For extension credit programs deadlines, please refer to your program website on extension.fullerton.edu. You may drop classes online throughout the self-service registration period without departmental approval. The classes will not be included on your transcript and the units will not count toward the Undergraduate Withdrawal Limit. NOTE: Dropping may affect your tuition calculation and Financial Aid. Deadline: February 6, 2023.
- Withdrawing occurs when you remove yourself from class AFTER the “last day to drop a class without a grade of W”. For extension credit program deadline, please refer to your program website on extension.fullerton.edu. Before withdrawing, you should consider the consequences of such an action and consult with your academic advisor since it will generally impact your progress towards your degree, future course enrollment and financial aid eligibility. Deadline: April 21, 2023.
When you decide to stop participating in a class and take action to withdraw, the class will be included on your transcript with a W symbol. The W indicates that you attempted the class but eventually withdrew prior to completing it for a letter grade. Withdrawn classes are included in the tuition calculation.
Withdrawals are subject to the Undergraduate Withdrawal Limit and are permissible only for a serious and compelling reason. Withdrawing requires approval from the instructor and the chair of the department offering the class. If the petition is approved, a W will be assigned and will appear on your transcript. The Undergraduate Withdrawal Limit policy allows you to withdraw from a maximum of 18 units over the course of your entire CSUF undergraduate career including special sessions, EIP enrollment, and re-enrolling after separation from the University. Once the limit is reached, you can no longer withdraw and must remain enrolled. Your instructor(s) will assign appropriate grade(s). You may review your courses and number of units applied to the Undergraduate Withdrawal Limit by accessing your Student Center and selecting Withdrawal/Repeats from the pull-down menu in the Academics section.
For help with these withdrawal forms, please visit the following:
Medical vs. Non-Medical Withdrawals
There are two types of Withdrawals: Medical and Non-Medical.
A Non-Medical Withdrawal may be done due to changes in your employment hours, family needs, financial issues, and other issues related to time and ability to show up to class and do your work with success. Please upload required documentation to support your non-medical withdrawal request. This withdraw request will be reviewed by the course instructor and the Chair of the department under which the course is listed for merit. These withdrawals are for serious personal life situations and you must demonstrate a compelling reason to withdraw. The student may use this type of withdrawal for one or more classes. This should only be done if an Incomplete is not possible.
When approved, a Non-medical Withdrawal results in a W for every course in the withdrawal term on your transcript. Visit Winter 2023 for the deadline for students to apply to withdraw for a non-medical reason. Extension & International Programs (EIP) students: please refer to the specific deadlines section for your program posted on your program web site.
Medical Withdrawals
If you intend to submit a Medical Withdrawal Request, you must upload credible medical documentation with your request. Failure to submit proper medical documentation for a medical request will result in your form being rejected. A medical withdrawal shall be petitioned for medical, mental, psychological, emotional, and physical issues that can be documented by an appropriate medical professional. Medical withdrawals typically involve withdrawal from all classes. Failure to provide documentation will result in your form being rejected. When approved, these medical withdrawn units do not apply to your Undergraduate Withdrawal Limit. Visit Winter 2023 for the deadline for students to submit the medical withdrawal request. Extension & International Programs (EIP) students: please refer to the specific deadlines section for your program posted on your program web site.
Content included on this form is not confidential as some information provided may be shared with appropriate campus departments or local law enforcement agencies as required by state or federal laws or system-wide policies. Specifically, any disclosures of discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation (which includes discrimination and/or harassment based on a protected status, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking) will be forwarded to the Title IX Coordinator and/or Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation (DHR) Administrator. Disclosures of current or past child abuse, neglect, or elder abuse must be reported to appropriate law enforcement or other protective agencies as required by state and federal laws.
Process/Timeline
The deadlines for non-medical withdrawals - April 21, 2023
The deadline for medical withdrawals - May 5, 2023
For extension credit programs deadlines, please refer to your program website on extension.fullerton.edu
.
For non-medical withdrawal requests, the request will first be routed to the instructor of the course you are withdrawing from. They will receive notification via email and be directed to note their approval or denial online. If approved, it will then be routed to the chair of the academic department for the course you are withdrawing from for approval or denial. Once approved by both the instructor and the chair, it is sent to Registration and Records staff to process. Additionally, International students must receive approval from Extension and International Programs to withdraw from coursework.
Guidelines for Medical Documentation | Medical Withdrawal Requests
Students who seek a full or partial medical withdrawal should secure appropriate documentation prior to completing the online medical withdrawal form. Students must obtain appropriate original documentation from a medical or mental health professional that verifies the condition that impairs the student’s ability to function safely and successfully in the course or courses the student seeks to withdraw.
Two options meet the medical documentation requirement.
- Students can submit a Medical/Mental Health Professional Form
OR
- Students can submit a letter from student's health care provider*. If a student decides to submit a letter from their health care provider*, that letter must include all of the following:
- Official letterhead including name and title of attending health care provider with phone number and address of medical or mental health facility
- Date of the onset of student's symptoms prohibiting them to perform academically
- General description of the student's medical condition; why/how it prevents them from completing their coursework; and statement indicating if the provider recommends withdrawal from all or some of their courses.
PLEASE NOTE:
If your medical or mental health provider is from the Student Health Center or Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Attendance Verification form will not meet this documentation requirement.
Medical/Mental Health Professional Form
is sufficient medical documentation in lieu of a letter from the medical provider.
View samples of sufficient medical documentations/letters
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Sample of documentation from medical provider for Partial Medical Withdrawal
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Sample of documentation from medical provider for Full Medical Withdrawal
Medical charts, notes, lab results, x-rays, hospital records, discharge papers, police reports and medically related pictures/images are not sufficient medical documentation for a medical withdrawal petition. DO NOT UPLOAD these items.
Consult with your doctor or counselor about your Medical or Mental Health Withdrawal request and show them this document for clarification. Request appropriate documentation.
| Academic Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Spring 2023 | May 5, 2023 |
