A medical or compassionate withdrawal request may be submitted in extraordinary cases that prevent a student from continuing classes, and when an incomplete or other arrangements with instructors are not possible. All applications for withdrawal require thorough and credible documentation for the term being requested.
A student may submit a medical withdrawal request when an unexpected serious illness or injury prevents the student from continuing classes. The medical withdrawal policy covers physical health and mental health difficulties.
A student may submit a compassionate withdrawal request when unexpected extraordinary personal reasons, not related to the student's physical or mental health, prevent the student from continuing in classes. Examples are caring for a seriously ill family member or a death in the student's immediate family.
A complete withdrawal would be a request to withdraw from all courses in a specific semester. A partial withdrawal is a request to withdraw from some courses in a specific semester. A majority of requests are for a complete withdrawal of all classes. Requests for less than a complete withdrawal must be well documented to justify the selective nature of the partial withdrawal.
Each college has a designated individual who reviews medical and compassionate withdrawal requests, according to the college's procedures. A student requesting a medical or compassionate withdrawal is referred to the college of their major. A nondegree undergraduate student is referred to different colleges by campus. Nondegree-seeking undergraduate students taking classes online or at the Tempe campus should contact The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Downtown Phoenix and Polytechnic campus students should contact the College of Integrative Arts and Sciences, and West campus students are referred to the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. A nondegree graduate student is referred to the Graduate College. The college contact approves or denies the request based on the documentation provided and will notify the student of the decision. Requests submitted without detailed supporting documentation will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.
The college contact determines:
An approved medical or compassionate withdrawal request will result in a special note on the student’s unofficial transcript indicating the nature of the withdrawal. Medical and compassionate withdrawal requests and supporting documents are retained by the college of the student's major for five years, filed separately from other records.
If you are receiving financial assistance, you are strongly encouraged to consult with a Financial Aid and Scholarship Services counselor to identify and understand the financial aid and monetary implications of processing this withdrawal transaction.
If you are using VA education benefits, please consult with the Pat Tillman Veterans Center to discuss possible alternative resources, and the impact an approved medical or compassionate withdrawal may have on your benefits. A signature from a PTVC representative is required on the Medical/Compassionate Withdrawal form to proceed.
If you are an international student with an F-1/J-1 visa, you must consult with the International Students and Scholars Center to discuss the serious immigration consequences that may result from your withdrawal from ASU. As an international with an F-1/J-1 visa, you must provide medical documentation from a U.S. licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, licensed clinical psychologist, psychiatrist or licensed psychologist. If you are an international student seeking a medical withdrawal for the current semester, you will also need to complete this form for the ISSC.
Submit the following to the college contact of your major:
The medical and compassionate withdrawal process is focused on the student’s academic record as it relates to the student’s health and wellness. Tuition refunds are not guaranteed, even with approval, and are not an option if the request is submitted more than two years after semester the request is for. You are strongly encouraged to submit your request as soon as possible.
ASU Procedure for Medical and Compassionate Withdrawal
Page last updated: May 16, 2023