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Withdrawal Information

After consultation with their academic advisor and the instructor of the course, a student may withdraw from any course.  Withdrawing from a course:

  • Must be done before 5:00 pm on the date of the Withdrawal Deadline published by the Office of the Registrar but shouldn't be done until after the add / drop period.
  • Will NOT result in a refund and could cause the student to owe the University.
  • Will affect satisfactory academic progress as related to academic standing and financial aid.
  • Will prevent the course from counting towards the twelve (12) credit hours required for full time enrollment status.
  • Will result in a grade of "W" on the student's academic transcript. Students are permitted to withdraw from a maximum of sixteen (16) credit hours during their career at Western Carolina University. Any withdrawal beyond the limit will result in a grade of Withdrew-Failing "WF" which will affect the semester and cumulative GPA as if it were an "F".

How to Withdraw From a Course

The course withdrawal process for all students regardless of level or student type is completed in the student's myWCU and must be done before 5:00 pm on the date of the withdrawal deadline.

Students with Holds preventing registration (such as balance due) will not be able to withdraw themselves. Please email registrar@wcu.edu and include your 920# and the course you would like to be withdrawn from. This email must be received before 5:00 pm on the date of the withdrawal deadline.

Course Withdrawal Deadlines

FALL 2024

Part of Term Course Start Date Course End Date Withdrawal Deadline

Full Term

August 19, 2024

December 13, 2024

October 25, 2024

First 8 Weeks

August 19, 2024

October 11, 2024

September 13, 2024

Last 8 Weeks

October 14, 2024

December 6, 2024

November 8, 2024

 

SPRING 2025

Part of Term Course Start Date Course End Date Withdrawal Deadline

Full Term

January 13, 2025

May 9, 2025

March 21, 2025

First 8 Weeks

January 13, 2025

March 7, 2025

February 7, 2025

Last 8 Weeks

March 10, 2025

May 2, 2025

April 4, 2025

 

SUMMER 2025

Part of Term Course Start Date Course End Date Withdrawal Deadline

Minimester (M)

May 12, 2025

May 27, 2025

May 20, 2025

First 8 Weeks (F8W)

May 12, 2025

June 27, 2025

June 4, 2025

Nine Weeks (T)

June 3, 2025

August 5, 2025

July 7, 2025

First 4.5 Weeks (F)

June 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

June 18, 2025

Last 8 Weeks (L8W)

June 30, 2025

August 15, 2025

July 23, 2025

Last 4.5 Weeks (L)

July 7, 2025

August 5, 2025

July 22, 2025

Summer Bridge (LX)

June 30, 2025

August 1, 2025

July 16, 2025

 

FALL 2025

Part of Term Course Start Date Course End Date Withdrawal Deadline

Full Term

August 18, 2025

December 12, 2025

October 24, 2025

First 8 Weeks

August 18, 2025

October 10, 2025

September 12, 2025

Last 8 Weeks

October 13, 2025

December 5, 2025

November 7, 2025

 

SPRING 2026

Part of Term Course Start Date Course End Date Withdrawal Deadline

Full Term

January 12, 2026

May 8, 2026

March 20, 2026

First 8 Weeks

January 12, 2026

March 6, 2026

February 6, 2026

Last 8 Weeks

March 9, 2026

May 1, 2026

April 6, 2026

Whether a student is withdrawing from the current semester only or withdrawing completely from the University with no plans to return to Western Carolina University, the process is the same and is considered a University Withdrawal.

Withdrawing from the University after the start of the semester will result in a grade of "W" in all ungraded courses. Withdrawals resulting from a University Withdrawal do not count toward the state-mandated limit for course withdrawals. Withdrawing from all courses:

  • Must be done before the Withdrawal Deadline published by the Office of the Registrar.
  • May result in a partial refund (see refund policy).
  • Will affect satisfactory academic progress as related to academic standing and financial aid.
  • May not be used to avoid penalty as the result of academic misconduct.

Failure to withdraw (abandonment) will result in a grade of "F", and affect both GPA and academic standing.

 

How to Withdraw From the Semester

The Term Withdrawal process for all students regardless of level or student type is initiated in the Office of Student Retention. Please visit us in Killian Annex 214 or call us at 828.227.7171

Post-Deadline University Withdrawal

There are three exceptions to the post-deadline University withdrawal policy that will allow a student to withdraw from all courses. . A student seeking an exception to the deadline should contact the Office of Student Retention (phone: 828-227-7171 or email: retention@wcu.edu). Students must provide evidence (documentation) supporting the exception they are claiming.  These exceptions are:

  • Withdrawals for medical or mental health
  • Withdrawals for deployment or other military contingency (email: military@wcu.edu)
  • Withdrawals for significant extenuating circumstances (email: retention@wcu.edu)

 

Post-Deadline Course Withdrawal

A single course withdrawal is only permitted when the student is enrolled in more than one course but isn't requesting to be withdrawn from all courses.  The only exception to a post-deadline course withdrawal is a medical withdrawal.

  • Student must submit withdrawal request with supporting medical documentation to the College Dean of the course.
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