Dec 04, 2024  
Catalog/Handbook 2024-2025 
    
Catalog/Handbook 2024-2025

Withdrawal Process


A student may officially withdraw from a course during any given term, provided he or she follows the appropriate policies and procedures. Following the conclusion of the Drop Period, the student may officially withdraw from a course without receiving a grade, provided he or she does so no later than the published Withdrawal Deadline. The published deadline reflects approximately (but no more than) 70 percent of the length of the term based upon the course’s scheduled duration. A student cannot use course withdrawal to avoid academic dishonesty penalties. A student who has been penalized for or accused of academic dishonesty in a course is not eligible to withdraw from the course. A hold is placed on the student’s registration privileges, and the student must see a Student Success Advisor to perform other registration activities until the final grades for that term are posted. It is important for each student to review the Academic Calendar for term dates and important deadlines.

Academic and Student Services officials of the College reserve the right to administratively withdraw a student under circumstances that may impede the learning environment for students, staff, or faculty.

An individual who is dual enrolled, on a third attempt in a course, an athlete, or an International Student may have restrictions on withdrawing from classes and should see a Student Success Advisor for assistance.

Under the Grade Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. In certain circumstances, a student may petition to repeat a course beyond the third attempt; however, repeating a course (or courses) may result in higher tuition rates and fees. In college Developmental Education courses, the student may petition for reduction of these fees. The student should visit a Student Success Advisor for details regarding this process.

Although all course attempts appear on the transcript, only the grade earned in the most recent attempt is calculated in the cumulative GPA. A student is not allowed to withdraw from the third course attempt. If a student stops attending class, the grade earned, usually an F, is assigned and posted to the student’s transcript.

Prior to repeating a course, the student should first consult with the Student Financial Services Office to determine what impact, if any, withdrawing from or repeating a course could have on his or her financial aid status. The student is responsible for any financial aid repercussions and academic status implications from class withdrawal.

Withdrawing from a class and dropping a class each have different implications. A student who withdraws receives a W grade for the class and is financially obligated for the tuition and fees. Withdrawing from a class can negatively impact the student’s academic status under the Standards of Academic Progress. Conversely, if a student drops a course prior to the posted Drop Deadline, the student is not financially or academically obligated for the course.

Note: Other institutions may not necessarily have the same Grade Forgiveness Policy as Polk State College and may recalculate the student’s GPA or reassess his or her eligibility for financial aid upon enrollment. In addition, limited-admission programs (e.g., Nursing, Sonography) have program-specific academic standards that address course withdrawals.