Dropping or Withdrawing from a Course

UMUC is committed to helping you achieve your academic goals; however, we realize that sometimes circumstances may arise that prevent you from successfully completing your coursework as planned. Dropping and/or withdrawing from a course can have financial and academic implications that should be taken into consideration when making this decision.

Recent changes in financial aid rules and veterans education benefits have further complicated the course withdrawal process; only trained representatives have the knowledge to help students make the best decision(s)—financially and academically.

Before dropping or withdrawing from a course, we suggest you review the answers to the following most frequently asked questions.

Is withdrawing the best option?

This decision can potentially impact your academic and financial aid standing and should only be done if it is your only option. The first thing you can do before withdrawing from a class is talk with your instructor.

Your instructor can inform you about your progress in a specific course based on the grading criteria stated in the syllabus and your participation and grades earned to date.  Your instructor may also be able to explore opportunities that may allow you to successfully complete the course in accordance with university guidelines and policies.

If you are an undergraduate student, UMUCís Center for Student Success can help you

To find out more about the resources and services available to you, please e-mail contact: studentsuccess@umuc.edu.

What is the difference between a 'Drop' and a 'Withdrawal'?

An academic drop occurs when you remove yourself from a course before its start date. There are no academic consequences from this action, but there may be financial aid repercussions for this drop if you no longer meet aid qualifications. The course will show on your registration history as dropped, but will not post on any unofficial or official transcripts and does not count as attempted credit.

An academic withdrawal from a course occurs when you remove yourself from a course on or after its start date. There will be financial repercussions for this withdrawal based on the refund schedule.

The academic consequences from this action include receiving the grade of "W" for the course, which will appear on any unofficial or official transcripts.  A grade of "W" will not impact your GPA, but does not count as completed credit toward your degree.

What is the academic drop policy?

Students who drop a course prior to the course start date will not receive a grade of "W" or any other notation on the transcript.

What is the academic withdrawal policy?

Official withdrawal from a class must occur before 65 percent of the total number of days in a session has expired. Please see the Academic Calender for specific withdrawal deadlines.

Students cannot withdraw after the stated deadlines. After the 65-percent point in the course is reached, students who have not withdrawn will receive the grade earned for that course. Students receiving financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Office before withdrawing to fully understand the impact on their current and future aid. You can officially withdraw from a course by logging in to MyUMUC. If you officially withdraw from a course by the 65-percent percent point of the session, you will receive a grade of "W." Students are responsible for withdrawing themselves. Failure to withdraw in the required manner may have adverse impacts on financial aid and/or the academic grade for the course(s). Stopping payment on checks for registration fees or not paying at registration does not constitute a withdrawal or relieve you of your financial obligation to UMUC. Never attending or ceasing to attend classes does not constitute a withdrawal.

What is the refund policy?

Students who withdraw on the first day of class WILL NOT receive a 100-percent tuition refund. You must withdraw before the first day of class to receive a full refund.  For more information, please visit our Refund & Policies page.

UMUC students are expected to make payment at the time of registration. There are penalties for non-payment. If your payment is not received by the due date, you may be penalized by being disenrolled from your courses or having your account balance transferred to the State Central Collections Unit (SCCU).

Are there veterans benefits implications?

Students who withdraw or drop from a course(s) may be required to repay veterans educational benefits received for the course(s).  This may include tuition payments, book allowances, housing or monthly allowances.  The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) may reduce benefits from the beginning date of the term. And a student may be required to repay all benefits unless they can show that the drop/withdrawal was due to "mitigating circumstances," which are defined as unavoidable or unexpected events beyond your control such as illness or employment/child care changes. The DVA may ask you to submit supporting evidence for your withdrawal such as a statement from your doctor or employer. If mitigating circumstances are approved, the DVA will usually allow benefits up to the last date of attendance.

The first time you withdraw up to six credit hours, the DVA will excuse the withdrawal and pay benefits for the period attended.  But this is a ONE TIME exception that only applies to your first withdrawal.

Are there military benefits implications?

Dropping or withdrawing from a course(s) may require you to pay back the military if you used tuition assistance.  If you are an active, Reserve or National Guard student who enrolled in the course through the GAE portal you must drop or withdraw from a class using Go Army Ed.

Are there financial aid implications?

Dropping or withdrawing from a course(s) may impact your financial aid.  Please review our financial aid policies.

Additionally, please review the Return to Title IV Policy.

How do I drop or withdraw?

To withdraw from a course, you must do the following:

  • Log into MyUMUC with your username and password.
  • Click on MyAcademics.
  • Click on Registration/Enrollment.
  • Click on Registration/Enrollment in the new sub-menu.
  • Click on the appropriate term.
  • Click on the blue "Drop/Update Classes" link across the bottom of the main window.
  • Select the course from which you wish to drop/withdraw.
  • Click submit.

When dropping or withdrawing from a course, you will be asked to acknowledge that these changes may affect your eligibility for tuition assistance, veterans benefits and/or financial aid.

You should receive a "Success/Message" notation for each class from which you choose to withdraw.

Once you have dropped or withdrawn from your course, please contact an *advisor about course planning for the next term.  Advisors can be reached by calling 800-888-8682, or e-mail studentsfirst@umuc.edu.

*Please note: Academic Advisors cannot process drop/withdrawal requests. The above process is for UMUC stateside students only. UMUC Europe and UMUC Asia may have a different process.