How to Drop/Add & Withdraw
Drop/Add
Students Drop/Adds
Once registered for a semester, students can drop or add classes online by signing into My ASU or in person at any registration location until the published drop/add deadline. During this time, students may drop one or more, but not all of the classes they are registered for. Classes that are dropped will not appear on students’ transcripts and any fees paid will be refunded. Students wishing to drop all of their classes, must process a complete withdrawal (see below). If students completely withdraw from classes after the drop/add period, a grade of "W" will appear on their transcript for all withdrawn classes.
Instructor-Initiated Drops
Instructors have full authority within departmental or other higher-level policies to decide whether or not class attendance is required. During the second week of classes of a fall or spring semester, or the first four days of each a summer session, the instructors can request students be dropped a student for nonattendance.
Instructor-initiated drops for nonattendance must be based upon concrete evidence of nonattendance and be signed by the Dean or Dean's Designee in of the college offering the class. The college will notify students that they have been dropped for nonattendance by mail at the student's’ currently posted mailing address. Nothing in this policy contradicts any other policy regarding attendance, religious holidays, or the student's responsibility to notify instructors in case of their absences.
Note: Students should be aware that nonattendance will not automatically result in being dropped/withdrawn. Instructors have the right to exercise this option at their discretion. Students unable to complete a class must officially drop or withdraw themselves from the class prior to the appropriate deadline.
WITHDRAWAL
Course Withdrawals
After the drop/add deadline through the 10th week of a fall and spring semesters, students can withdraw from any class and receive a grade of "W." Classes with alternate beginning or ending dates (such as summer or winter session classes) may have an adjusted withdrawal deadline. Students can request a course withdrawal online by signing into My ASU or in person at any registration location.
Classes from which students withdraw will remain on their transcript with a grade of "W." Please consult the Tuition Refund Policy to determine whether withdrawing will or will not generate a tuition refund.
Students should be aware that nonattendance will not automatically result in being dropped/withdrawn. Instructors have the right to exercise this option at their discretion. Students unable to complete a class must officially drop or withdraw themselves from the class prior to the appropriate deadline. Failure to withdraw from a class may result in a final grade of "E" being assigned for that class.
Complete Withdrawals
Students can request a complete withdrawal from the university until the semester transaction deadline, please consult the Academic Calendar for appropriate deadline dates. Beginning the first day of classes (for the fall and spring semesters), undergraduate students must request a complete withdrawal in person.
Complete withdrawals should be viewed as a last resort as there may be serious academic and financial consequences in processing a complete withdrawal. Because making a complete withdrawal from the university is a difficult decision, the university has many resources in place to help. Students are encouraged to contact a student retention coordinator (studentretention@asu.edu) to explore alternatives.
Medical/Compassionate Withdrawals Special Circumstances
Medical withdrawals are available for students needing to withdraw from one or more classes due to medical reasons. This policy covers both physical and mental health difficulties. Students requesting a medical withdrawal must submit the Medical Withdrawal form to the dean's representative (medical/compassionate withdrawal designee) of the college of their major, along with appropriate documentation for review.
Compassionate withdrawals are available for students needing to withdraw from one or more classes due to significant personal reasons not related to the student's health. Examples are caring for a seriously ill child or spouse, or death in their immediate family. Students requesting a compassionate withdrawal must submit the Compassionate Withdrawal form to the dean's representative (medical/compassionate withdrawal designee) of the college of their major, along with appropriate documentation.
Approved medical withdrawals may be eligible for a refund of tuition if approved within two years of the end of the semester. Refer to the Tuition Refund Policy or Student Business Services for additional information.
Instructor-Initiated Withdrawals
Instructor-initiated withdrawals are made when an instructor withdraws a student from a class with a grade of "W" or "E" in cases of disruptive behavior.
Military Activation Withdrawals
Military activation withdrawals are available for students activated for military duty. Students granted a military activation withdrawal will receive some regulatory relief in the recalculation of financial aid and the calculation of tuition and fee charges. Students requesting a military withdrawal should contact the Veterans Services office at the Tempe campus at 480.965.7723 or at the West campus at 602.543.8820.