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Dropping Classes

Dropping a class essentially means unenrolling from a course you had registered for. It's not necessarily a bad thing, and it can be good if you're balancing your schedule. Or maybe you got into that class you were on the waitlist for, and now want to drop your backup course.

It's important to be aware that there are deadlines to dropping a class before you incur fees. If your credit load changes to part-time status, it could impact your financial aid. Also, if the class is an important requirement for your major, dropping it could result in you taking longer to graduate.

Careful! Before you drop any classes, make sure you understand these changes can affect you academically and financially. It is always a great idea to speak with your professional advisor.

Dropping From Class/Classes

The date you drop the class will determine if a W (withdrew) is recorded on your transcript. (A "W" grade has no academic impact, so it won't affect your GPA.) The date you drop also determines if a refund on the dropped course will be allowed. To understand these academic and financial ramifications:

  1. Look up the drop deadline on the Registration Calendar
  2. Look up any withdrawal fees on the Term Deadline Calendar

Before the drop deadline

You can drop classes from your schedule using your SIS account up until the drop deadline. Check out the how to drop classes video.

Log in to SIS  

After the drop deadline

You must submit a Petition for Late Drop and request permission to drop any classes. The Enrollment Review Committee (ERC) reviews these and only grants appeals for documented medical or military circumstances, or death of an immediate family member.

Find Your Petition Form  

Other Options Than Dropping a Class

If you are unable to drop a course because the deadline has passed or you were denied a late drop, you may consider retaking the course in a different term. For details on repeating a course, check out the UW-Green Bay Repeat Policy. In some cases, an incomplete grade may be arranged if your professor permits. See the Incomplete Grades Policy.

How to Drop All Classes

It's time to make a tough decision. You may have been accepted into your dream school, but now you're having second thoughts. Or, you may have started college but realized it's not for you. Whatever the reason, you've decided to cancel your enrollment or withdraw from all classes. Here's what you need to know.

  • Cancel Enrollment means dropping all your classes before the start of the term.
  • Withdrawal means dropping all your classes after the term has started.
  • To cancel/withdraw from UW-Green Bay, please call the Student Services Center at 920-465-2111 or email ssc@uwgb.edu stating your intention to cancel enrollment or withdraw.

Financial Aid & Dropping

Will my financial aid be affected if I drop a class?

Financial aid may be affected when dropping a class or classes, depending on when the drop occurs. See the Financial Aid Policy on Withdrawal.

Before Classes Start

Financial aid will be adjusted to reflect your credit load at the start of the term. If you drop all of your classes and cancel from the term, your financial aid will be cancelled.

During & After the Add/Drop Period

The end of the second week of classes has been designated as the census date as well as the end of the add period. The exact date can be found on the Registration Calendar. Credit changes during this period will impact aid awards, and adjustments to aid will be completed after the second week of classes. Please Note: Summer and Winterim terms have a shorter add and refund period and can be seen in the Student Billing Refund Schedule.

Adjustments to certain types of financial aid will continue to be made for credit changes through the end of the refund period (approximately the fifth week of classes for fall and spring terms). After the refund period, it would be unusual for financial aid to be adjusted for credit changes, as long as the student is staying enrolled in school. If adjustments are required, the financial aid office will notify you of the adjustments. If you drop any classes or withdraw entirely, you may become ineligible for future financial aid due to not meeting Standards of Academic Progress (SAP).

You must monitor SIS for any balance due or return of aid that is required. Academic and financial deadlines are not the same. Before dropping or withdrawing, view the Student Billing Term Deadlines.

How to Drop a Class

After considering all of the above factors, if you still wish to drop classes, check out this quick how to drop classes video.

Kristi Edminster

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If you need help dropping a class, please get in touch with us. We're here to help!

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