Semester Withdrawals
It can be a challenge to juggle school, family, financial needs, work, medical challenges, along with all other aspects of life.
We understand that at times it can feel very overwhelming to balance being a student with other responsibilities and life events, but withdrawing may not be your only option. We encourage you to weigh all your options before withdrawing.
Feeling too overwhelmed to know where to begin? You're not alone. Your academic advisor can help you put together a plan for your next steps.
How To Withdraw
A semester withdrawal is dropping ALL classes in a given semester. In order to withdraw, a student must submit a semester withdrawal form.
If a student is only registered for one class, then dropping that class is considered a semester withdrawal.
Students cannot drop down to zero credits in CyberBear without submitting a withdrawal form.
Alternatives to Withdrawing
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- Warning: Not all courses are offered with a credit/no credit option. Check your syllabus or contact the Registrar's Office to verify at registration@umontana.edu.
- Warning: Major, minor and general education requirements must be taken for a traditional letter grade. However, if you need to repeat the course anyway, this can help preserve your GPA in the meantime.
- Great alternative to dropping a course
- Credit/no credit grades do not impact your GPA
- Earn credit if you receive the equivalent to a D- or higher
- May help keep you in good academic standing
- May help keep you off financial aid probation/suspension. Remaining eligible for federal financial aid can be complicated. You can start by reviewing the Maintaining Eligibility page or contact the Financial Aid Office at (406)243-5373 with specific questions
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- If you are passing (D- or higher) at least one of your courses, it is recommended that you don't withdraw from the semester. Instead, explore dropping some courses so that you can focus on finishing the ones you are passing.
- Course drop policies vary depending on the time of semester. Speak with your advisor or instructor to see if this is an option for you.
- After the 15th class day, courses appear on your transcript as W, WP, or WF. They do not impact your GPA, but they do count as attempted credits.
- See for details on Academic Policies & Procedures.
- Contact the Registrar's Office at (406) 243-5600 or registration@umontana.edu for questions about the course drop policy.
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- Consult with your instructor about the option of an incomplete.
- May be eligible if you have been in attendance and doing passing work up to three weeks before the end of the semester.
- May be eligible if, for reasons beyond your control (and are acceptable to the instructor), you have been unable to complete the requirements of the course on time. Negligence and indifference are not acceptable reasons.
- The instructor will set the conditions for the completion of your course work.
- In most cases you have one calendar year (or otherwise established by your instructor) to complete the requirements or an alternate grade (assigned by the instructor) will be assigned.
- See for the complete policy on incompletes.
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UM offers multiples tutoring resources for students seeking support with challenging course content.
These resources include:
- Math Learning Center
- Writing and Public Speaking Center
- Study Jam
- TRiO Student Support Services Tutoring
- Missoula College Tutoring
Read more about UM's tutoring resources on the Office for Student Success website.
Financial Impacts
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Students who receive financial aid and withdraw from a semester may be required to repay financial aid for the current semester, depending on the enrollment requirements for the type of aid that they receive. Eligibility for financial aid in future semesters may also be affected.
If a student stops attending classes without formally withdrawing, they too may be required to repay aid received in the current semester and may be ineligible for aid in future terms.
Using a prorated formula, refunds are first returned to financial aid programs before students receive any cash. You may owe out-of-pocket repayment for any unearned financial aid. Any aid not yet received for this current semester will be canceled.
Aid for future semesters will be canceled, unless you submit the semester withdrawal form prior to the start of the semester. If you choose to return to school within the current academic year, you will need to request that your aid for the next term be reinstated.
You may no longer be eligible for federal aid due to not making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). For more information, review the following resources:
Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress
Withdrawing & Return of Title IV Funds
Your instructors may be contacted to confirm your last dates of academic engagement in your classes to determine your federal financial aid eligibility.
It is your responsibility to continue checking your UMConnect student email inbox for follow-up communications regarding financial aid.
To discuss potential impacts on your financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Office at faid@mso.umt.edu or (406) 243-5373. -
WITHDRAWAL from school, at the Maker's option, or DISMISSAL from school for cause at UM's option, does not alter in any way the terms or conditions of the Deferred Payment Plan promissory note.
If you are on a deferred payment plan, you are responsible for any remaining payments on your deferred payment plan.
Any refund of fees will be applied toward your deferred payment plan. Any refund of fees will take up to 6 weeks to be issued.
It is your responsibility to continue checking your UMConnect student email inbox for follow-up communications regarding billing and refunds.
For questions regarding fees and billing, contact Business Services at UMStudentAccts@mso.umt.edu or (406) 243-2223.
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It is strongly recommended that you contact the Military and Veteran Services Office for guidance regarding the impact of a semester withdrawal on your VA education benefits PRIOR to submitting this form.
Please direct questions regarding VA education benefits to the Military and Veteran Services Office at MVSO@mso.umt.edu or (406) 243-2744.
The Military and Veteran Services Office is located at 1000 E Beckwith Ave.
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If you withdraw form the semester, you are no longer eligible to be employed in a student position on campus. The only way to continue employment is for your employer to hire you as a temporary or permanent employee.
Academic Impacts
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You will not earn credit for the semester. Your cumulative grade point average and total number of credits earned will remain the same as they were when you first enrolled for the semester.
If you withdraw on or prior to the 15th day of instruction (or equivalent for shortened part-of-term courses), your transcript will not reflect courses or grades for the semester.
If you withdraw after that day, your transcript will list your courses for the semester and a W is the assigned grade for each course. The credits will show as attempted credits and will be counted towards the financial aid credit cap.
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Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students will retain the academic standing they had going into the withdrawn semester.
For example, if you start a semester on academic probation and withdraw from that semester, you will remain on academic probation. A reinstatement plan is not required, but we highly encourage students to discuss with their advisor why they needed to withdraw when planning their next semester. Advisors may be able to suggest resources or provide extra support that may help prevent you from needing to withdraw from a future semester.
Graduate students should contact the Graduate School for guidance.
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Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who withdraw may return to school any semester. If you were dismissed from the University for student conduct code violations or other disciplinary matters, you must resolve that issue first.
Contact your advisor during the registration period so you can plan your schedule and receive your advising PIN. Clear any registration holds, then you may then register in CyberBear. If you are absent from the UM for two or more years (dating from the end of the withdrawn semester) you will need to apply for readmission.
Graduate students should consult with the Graduate School to determine if a Leave of Absence is possible.
Student Services Impacts
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Students who reside in a University residence hall, University Villages, or Lewis & Clark Villages must notify the proper officials in the UM Housing Office of that they are withdrawing from the semester. Eligibility for student housing is dependent on enrollment.
- If you live in a residence hall, you must contact UM Housing.
- If you live at University Villages, you must follow the UV eligibility requirements or submit a vacate notice.
- If you live at Lewis & Clark Villages, you must follow the LCV eligibility requirements or submit a vacate notice.
For more information, contact UM Housing at 406-243-2611.
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Students who have meal plans must contact Campus Dining at dining@umontana.edu to cancel their meal plan.
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Visa status is affected by withdrawing, so international students must first contact a coordinator in the Global Engagement Office prior to submitting a Semester Withdrawal Form.
For more information, contact Global Engagement at (406) 243-2288.
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Students who purchase health insurance with registration will receive a refund and lose coverage if withdrawn during the first fifteen instructional days, unless a letter of medical necessity from a healthcare provider is supplied.
Students who have enrolled in the student health insurance plan and withdraw before the 15th class day will lose coverage and be refunded the entire charge. In order to remain on the student insurance plan, a letter of medical necessity from a healthcare provider must be provided to the Student Insurance Advocate in Curry Health Center at StudentInsurance@mso.umt.edu.
Students who have enrolled in the student health insurance plan and withdraw after the 15th class day will remain on the student insurance plan for the remainder of the semester if the insurance premium is paid.
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Students may not use the Student Health Services after withdrawing. If you are currently being seen at the Curry Health Center, a referral for care will be made on an individual, as-needed basis.
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Campus library facilities are open to the public; however, you must be a currently registered student in order to check out books or other media.
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Your Griz Card is inactivated when you withdraw from the semester, and you lose access to the gym and other Campus Recreation Facilities.
If you are withdrawing due to an injury or other medical reason that requires you to undergo physical therapy and you intend to enroll in classes the following semester, you may contact Campus Recreation at (406) 243-2802 to inquire about your options.