SJSU Catalog

Withdrawal from the University

Students who find it necessary to cancel their registration or to withdraw from all classes after enrolling for any academic term are required to follow the university’s official withdrawal procedures. Failure to follow formal university procedures may result in an obligation to pay fees as well as the assignment of failing grades in all courses and the need to apply for readmission before being permitted to enroll in another academic term. Information on canceling registration and withdrawal procedures is available from the Student Services Center.

Students who receive financial aid funds must consult with the Financial Aid and Scholarships office prior to withdrawing from the university regarding any required return or repayment of grant or loan assistance received for that academic term or payment period. If a recipient of student financial aid funds withdraws from the institution during an academic term or a payment period, the amount of grant or loan assistance received may be subject to return and/or repayment provisions.

Currently enrolled students who stop attending all classes because of personal, academic, or other problems should consult the Counseling Office. Withdrawal is accomplished by submitting a signed "Request for Withdrawal" form, available in the Student Services Center. This form may be requested by mail. Requests will be processed as of the date this signed form is received in the Student Services Center. No personnel actions, grades, or transcript services will be permitted until all obligations, such as unpaid library fines have been settled.

Students may withdraw officially from all courses during the first fourteen days of instruction without academic penalty.

Students who withdraw during this period will need to complete a new admission application form to be considered for readmission to a term currently accepting applications.

Students considering withdrawal are encouraged to discuss the matter with their department chair, academic advisor and instructors. They should be aware of the additional sources of assistance available to them in the Counseling Office. Students who leave the university but who do not officially withdraw will receive a grade of "WU" (denotes failure for unauthorized drop or withdrawal) in all of their classes.

Withdrawal after the fourteenth day and through the end of the term is permissible only for serious and compelling reasons. Students who wish to withdraw from all courses between the fourteenth day of instruction and the thirteenth week of instruction must normally first secure a signature from the instructor indicating they have discussed the situation. The instructor's signature does not indicate or authorize approval. The student must then present the withdraw petition to the Director of Academic Services, who evaluates requests on criteria developed by the Vice President for Student Affairs or who will, in special circumstances, forward the petition to the appropriate administrative officer appointed by the Undergraduate Studies or Graduate Studies office. Approval of the Director of Academic Services or the appointed administrative officer is required. If permission for withdrawal is approved, the symbol "W" will be assigned for all courses in which the student was not eligible for an Incomplete or credit. This symbol carries no connotation of quality of student performance and is not used in calculating grade point average or progress points.

Students who are officially registered and pay fees and then officially withdraw from all classes after the fourteenth day are not required to file an application for admission to the next regular semester. Students who repeatedly register and withdraw may be subject to administrative academic probation.

Refer to the policy on "Continuous Attendance" for information about the possible effect a break in attendance may have on requirements for graduation.