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Academic Advising

WITHDRAWING FROM A COURSE?


The idea of withdrawing from a course may have occurred to you for several reasons; however, in order to know if it’s the right decision, you need to gather the facts. There are financial and academic consequences to withdrawing from a course, and it should be considered only as a last resort.

If your grade isn’t up to par, we recommend you consider the academic resources available to help you. In addition to SJR State resources, ask yourself if you are doing your part?

Speak with your professor; questions to ask:

  • What is my current grade?
  • Can I get help during your office hours?
  • Can I realistically raise my grade to passing or higher by the end of the semester?
  • Is extra credit offered in this class?

Seek tutoring: SJR State students can get FREE tutoring through the Academic Support Center.

If you are receiving any type of financial aid, scholarship, or VA benefit, make sure you know the consequences associated with withdrawing. It may mean you will owe the college money or be unable to receive money for future semesters.

Questions to ask Financial Aid/VA:

  • How will withdrawing affect my Bright Futures/Scholarships/Loans/Financial Aid/Grants/Veterans benefits?
  • Am I currently on Financial Aid warning? What does FA Warning mean, and how does withdrawing change my status from warning to FA suspension?
  • What does FA Suspension mean?
  • If not on FA Warning, will withdrawing put me on Warning?
  • This is my 2nd time taking this course; will Financial Aid pay for me to take it a 3rd time?

Understand how withdrawing from one or more courses may change your graduation date, enrollment plans for summer terms, and potentially affect your ability to apply for limited access programs in a timely manner.

Questions to discuss with your advisor:

  • How does withdrawing impact my degree progression?
  • How often does my limited access program admit students, and will I be behind if I am not able to apply this year? What do I do in the interim?
  • Will I need to take additional courses in a future semester to make up for withdrawing from this course now?
  • How do withdrawals affect the 3rd Attempt Policy, and how much does it increase my tuition if I have to take this course a third time?
  • Can I withdraw from my science lecture only? I’m making an A in my science lab.

If it’s an outside distraction keeping you from doing your best, please let us help you by connecting you with appropriate resources either on campus or in the community. We really do want to help you reach your academic and career goals.

You may withdraw from a course without academic penalty (a grade of “W”) at any time prior to the deadline to withdraw, which is published in the academic calendar found in the portal and on our website. After the published last date to withdraw, you will receive the letter grade earned. Science courses require you to withdraw from both the lecture and the lab but see the current catalog for any additional options.

A student-initiated withdrawal is done via the Web only (except dual enrollment students); therefore, you must not have any holds on your account that would prevent you from withdrawing. Possible reasons you may have a hold include: money owed to the college for repayment of financial aid or loans, return of library items, or parking fines. Check your holds via “View Holds” on the ADD/DROP/Withdraw link under the student tab in the portal.

Notification is sent to any appropriate agency when a student withdraws from the College.

If you decide that withdrawing from a course is your best option at this time, you have exhausted all other options, you understand all of the potential consequences, and you have no holds, you may withdraw online through your student portal:
Student Tab > Registration - Add/Drop/Withdraw > Withdraw Courses