Drop or Withdraw

Should You Drop or Withdraw from a Class?

Dropping or withdrawing from a class can impact your student record and financial aid.

Before you make your decision, use this table to understand potential impacts of your choice. We encourage you to meet with your instructor and advisor to help you with your decision.

	Dropping a Course	Withdrawing from a Course
Deadlines	You can drop a course within the first five days of the: Fall semester Spring semester First summer session Classes that don’t meet for the full length of a term, including weekend classes and those beginning after the fifth day of the first summer session, can be dropped through the end of the business day following the date that the course officially begins.	You may withdraw from any course after the drop period ends. This must be before the withdrawal deadline, which occurs at approximately 80% of the length of the course. Consult e-Services for withdrawal deadlines for classes that do not meet for the full term.
Grades	The course is removed from your academic record.	You’ll receive a grade of W on your academic record. The W doesn't count as credits attempted or earned when calculating your GPA. But a W in a course numbered 1000 or above is considered for satisfactory academic progress for enrollment and financial aid.
How To	Use e-Services to drop.	Use e-Services to withdraw.
Class Participation	You’re not allowed to attend or participate in the course after you drop.	You’re not allowed to attend or participate in the course after you withdraw.

Refunds and Financial Aid

Students who drop or withdraw from all classes during a term may be entitled to a full or partial refund. See the Refund Policy page for full information.

Financial aid recipients are strongly encouraged to consult Refunds and Return of Title IV  and a Student Services Coach before withdrawing. You may lose your financial aid if your number of credits drops below the minimum level in a semester.

Late Drop/Withdrawal Appeals

You can submit an appeal for a late drop or withdrawal if you’re unable to meet the drop or withdrawal deadline due to extenuating circumstances. Certain criteria must be met to qualify.

Select “Petitions and Appeals” on the Official Forms page for the Refund, Drop, Withdrawal Appeal form and the appeal guide.

Drop/Withdrawal Initiated by Normandale

We may initiate a course drop or withdrawal if a student fails to:

Pay tuition
Attend classes
Meet course prerequisites
Meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress
Follow our code of conduct or other situations according to policies established by the College, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees

Once we initiate a course drop or withdrawal, the student isn't allowed to attend or participate in that course.