Course and University Withdrawals

Undergraduate students are allowed four (4) career withdrawals graded WP (Withdraw Passing) at UGA before all subsequent withdrawals receive an automatic grade of WF (Withdraw Failing). The count began fall semester 2008, regardless of when a student matriculated and regardless of any withdrawals in previous terms. Students may view their withdrawal count in the Registration Main Menu and in the Withdrawal Processing menu on OASIS.

Students withdrawing from classes should be aware of the following: 

Every non-hardship withdrawal graded WP counts towards the four (4) UGA withdrawals that each student is allowed during their college career at UGA. Students may withdraw from more than four (4) classes, but after the fourth non-hardship WP, the grade will be an automatic WF. Students wishing to withdraw from some or all of their classes before the withdrawal deadline of the semester may do so on OASIS. Faculty may assign a WP (Withdraw Passing) or a WF (Withdraw Failing) depending on the student's class performance and attendance up to that point. A withdrawal prior to the deadline does not guarantee a WP but does give the faculty the option of a WP.

Students withdrawing from their classes after the withdrawal deadline of a semester may only receive a grade of WF unless they have an approved /*HARDSHIP WITHDRAWAL.*/

HARDSHIP WITHDRAWALS

(and Complete Grade Changes): 

Students who have experienced a severe medical and/or mental health problem or a traumatic event that has caused them to miss numerous classes and/or prevents them from being able to complete the term, can request (A) a Hardship Withdrawal from the current semester, or (B) complete grade changes from a previous semester (not to exceed one year). 

Hardship Withdrawals must be requested through and approved by Student Support Services throughout the semester. Every semester Student Support Services determines the date when hardship requests can no longer be processed. Students are advised to make their requests as soon as they are aware of their need. The ‘WP’s and/or  ‘WF’s assigned as a result of a hardship request do not count towards the student’s four (4) allowed withdrawals. 

Grade Changes to ‘WP’s may be requested only up to one year after the end of the term in which the grades were recorded. Grade Changes are based on hardship situations and follow the same guidelines as Hardship Withdrawals (refer to Hardship Criteria). Grade change requests through Student Support Services can only be made when the student has failed ALL their classes for the semester because of a hardship situation. 

HARDSHIP CRITERIA:

A Hardship situation is an event entirely beyond the student’s ability to control that would prevent her or him from continuing or performing successfully in the semester.

• Severe illness or injury of an acute emergency nature that incapacitates a student during the semester for which the request is being made.
• Severe psychological condition requiring hospitalization or intensive outpatient care for an extended period of time during the semester for which the request is being made.
• A traumatic event (e.g. death of a close friend or family member, act of violence, etc.) that clearly impedes a student’s ability to perform in the usual manner.
  

Examples of Hardship Conditions are:

• Severe accident or illness with prolonged recovery;
• Severe illness requiring ongoing close medical monitoring;
• Severe complications resulting from a chronic medical condition;
• Documented medical conditions resulting in extended absences;
• New diagnosis of a life threatening condition;
• Necessary surgery with prolonged recovery;
• Complications related to pregnancy;
• Infectious disease requiring specific isolation;
• Documented medical complications from sexual or other violent assault;
• A traumatic event beyond the student’s ability to control that affected the student’s ability to perform or continue in classes;

Possibly other serious medical or mental health situations not included above. 

Documentation:

Hardship withdrawals (and complete grade changes) require complete and thorough official documentation to be determined by Student Support Services and a written personal statement by the student. Listed below are some general examples of documentation requirements:

• Official letter from a medical professional that explains medical findings and their impact on the student’s academic performance and/or attendance;
• Hospital admission/discharge summaries (not patient records);
• Police report;
• Written verification by a credible third party (e.g. attorney, minister, or other non-family member) of a non-medical emergency.
  

Hardship Determination:

Student Support Services is charged with collecting and verifying the required official documentation supporting the student’s hardship situation. Based on sufficient, verified documentation, Student Support Services notifies the respective faculty member(s) of the student’s hardship situation, but it is the prerogative of each individual faculty member to assign a grade of ‘WP’ or ‘WF’. A withdrawal for medical reasons or other extenuating circumstances does not guarantee a ‘WP’ (or a tuition refund). 

Hardship Expectations:

It is expected that a request for a hardship withdrawal be from ALL the classes for the semester. Partial hardship withdrawals are not ordinarily allowed.  

The ‘WP’s or ‘WF’s assigned as a result of an approved hardship withdrawal do not count toward the total limit of four (4) withdrawals for a student.

For Questions or Clarification please contact Student Support Services at 706-542-8220 (please ask for Linda)

Alan L. Campbell, PhD, Assistant Vice President, Student Support
Doug Bell, Student Support
Linda Edge, Administrative Specialist
Toni Boatwright, Administrative Assistant