Withdraw from the Semester

What Is a Withdrawal?

You've withdrawn from a Main Campus semester or special session if any of the following are true:

  • You submitted a withdrawal form to the Office of the Registrar
  • You didn't register for any classes in a fall or spring semester
  • You dropped all your Main Campus classes and didn't re-enroll

Failing to attend classes you're enrolled in does not constitute a withdrawal. If you stop attending class, you're still liable for all applicable tuition and fees, and you'll likely receive a failing grade.

If you stay enrolled in at least one Main Campus class in that semester or special session, see Drop a Class instead.

Before You Withdraw (Considerations)

Refunds and Tuition Assessment

Refunds and assessments for withdrawals from Main Campus full-semester classes are determined based on several factors:

  • The date when you withdraw.
  • Whether you're a continuing student vs. a new, readmitted or transfer student.
  • Whether you're a Main Campus vs. a Continuing Education student.

For example, if you withdraw by the first withdrawal deadline ("Last Day to Withdraw from the Semester with 100% Refund"):

  • Continuing students are eligible for a full refund of their tuition, fees and confirmation deposit.
  • New, readmitted and transfer students are eligible for a full refund of their tuition and fees, but not their confirmation deposit.

If you withdraw between the first and second withdrawal deadlines ("Last Day to Withdraw from the Semester with 100% Refund; $200 Fee May Apply"):

  • Continuing students are required to pay a $200 withdrawal fee. If they withdraw on or after the first day of classes, they may also be required to refund or repay unearned financial aid.
  • New, readmitted and transfer students are not eligible for a confirmation deposit refund and are not charged the withdrawal fee.
  • Continuing Education students are not assessed any financial penalty.

See the withdrawal calendar for semester-specific dates.

60% & 40% Percent Refund Periods

The 60% and 40% refunds apply to the net portion of tuition after COF has been paid for a resident student. The only fees that are adjusted during these refund periods are the student activity, rec center expansion, mental health, student health, capital construction and athletics fees.

Out-of-State Guaranteed Tuition Rate

Out-of-state students who withdraw from the term do not have their four-year guaranteed tuition period extended. For more information, contact the Bursar's Office (303-492-5381, bursar@colorado.edu).

RAs & TAs

If you withdraw within the first 12 weeks of the term, your RA/TA appointment will be reversed and you'll be responsible for tuition charges according to the refund and assessment schedule.

Faculty & Staff Using the Tuition Assistance Benefit

If you're a faculty or staff member using the tuition assistance benefit for yourself, review the Bursar's Office information about withdrawing and dropping classes, then contact the Bursar's Office (303-492-5381, bursar@colorado.edu) before you withdraw.

VA Education Benefits

If you're receiving veteran's education benefits, contact Veteran & Military Affairs (303-492-7322, veterans@colorado.edu) before you withdraw.

Recreation Services

Withdrawn students are not eligible to use The Rec, but students on an official leave of absence may purchase a student affiliate membership. For refunds or exceptions, contact Recreation Services (303-492-6880).

Tuition Appeals Procedure

A tuition appeals process is available for students who are withdrawing due to extenuating circumstances. The deadline to complete an appeal is the last day of finals following the semester of appeal. For more information, review the Bursar's Office's tuition appeals information or contact the Bursar's Office (303-492-5381, bursar@colorado.edu).

  • Continuing students are eligible for a full refund of their tuition, fees and confirmation deposit.
  • New, readmitted and transfer students are eligible for a full refund of their tuition and fees, but not their confirmation deposit.
  • Continuing students are required to pay a $200 withdrawal fee. If they withdraw on or after the first day of classes, they may also be required to refund or repay unearned financial aid.
  • New, readmitted and transfer students are not eligible for a confirmation deposit refund and are not charged the withdrawal fee.
  • Continuing Education students are not assessed any financial penalty.

Financial Aid

If you received financial aid through Boulder, you may be responsible for returning some or all of your funding. Before you withdraw, review the Office of Financial Aid's withdrawal policy and contact the Office of Financial Aid (303-492-5091, online contact form).

If you're going on a leave of absence for the fall and plan to return in the spring, contact the Office of Financial Aid to see if you can secure your aid package for the spring semester.

College Opportunity Fund (COF)

If you are an in-state undergraduate student and you withdraw before the drop deadline (the third Wednesday after the first day of classes in fall or spring terms), your College Opportunity Fund (COF) authorized hours will not be deducted from your 145 lifetime hours. If you withdraw after the drop deadline, your COF authorized hours will be deducted.

Loans

If you have loans currently in deferment (i.e., you aren't making payments because you're attending college), withdrawing may cause those loans to go into repayment. Many loan providers require that a student remain enrolled in an institution of higher education at least half-time to keep their loans deferred. A leave of absence does not extend the loan deferral period. Consult your loan provider about policies regarding your enrollment status.

Employee Tuition Assistance Benefit

Boulder employees using the tuition benefit have a different schedule and should refer to the Bursar's Office's Withdrawal & Dropping Classes page. Faculty and staff must contact the withdrawal coordinator in the Office of the Registrar to withdraw.

Dependents of Boulder employees are subject to the same withdrawal deadlines as students not using the tuition benefit.

Health Insurance Information

For information about insurance or billing, contact Medical Services (303-492-5101).

Counseling & Support Services

The following offices offer counseling services and information to all Boulder students:

If you have a contract to live in a residence hall, Bear Creek apartments or graduate & family housing, you will need to contact the respective office.

If you're withdrawing, please contact the office for move-out procedures within 48 hours. You may incur additional charges for each day you haven't completed the checkout procedure.

The University of Colorado does not have a special medical withdrawal process. Your reason for withdrawing is not indicated or differentiated on your transcript, and if the drop with no penalty deadline has passed, W grades will be assigned. W grades indicate a course withrawal after the deadline and do not impact the GPA. 

For students experiencing unexpected distress, there are campus resources available to you. View our Health & Wellness section (above). You may also consider the following as you’re making your decision:

  • Meet with your advisor to discuss your options. If you want to complete the semester consider discussing grade replacement with your advisor. 
  • Take advantage of the tutoring services on campus to help support you with your course studies.
  • If you’ve completed a majority of the semester, consider requesting . Please note that approving this request is at the discretion of your instructor. If approved, work with your instructor on setting the conditions and time limit for completing your coursework. Once you submit the missing coursework, your instructor will review and submit your final grade. Your transcript will say “Originally graded as Incomplete.”

    Financial aid recipients who receive all incomplete grades may be considered an unofficial withdrawal. In this case, the Office of Financial Aid will verify your course participation with instructors to confirm eligibility to keep the financial aid you already received. If you have questions, chat with a financial aid advisor.
  • Depending on your situation, withdrawing from Boulder may be your best option. If you and your family are under duress and struggling to navigate Boulder policies, consider contacting Student Support and Case Management for additional support.
  • If you decide to withdraw and you meet certain criteria, you may submit a  to the Bursar's Office.

Student-Athletes

If you're a student-athlete, you should contact the (303-492-6591) before you withdraw.

Athletic Tickets

Purchased athletic tickets remain valid for the semester. To return tickets, contact the athletics box office (303-492-8337).

You can withdraw from main campus special session classes by:

Note: If you received a final grade for a Session class (excluding a W), you cannot withdraw from that session.

Withdrawal Penalties and Refunds

Continuing students who drop all Main Campus classes (including their eligible special session classes) through the Last Day to Withdraw from a Special Session with 100% refund period­­ are eligible for a full refund of their tuition, fees and confirmation deposit. New, readmit & transfer students who drop all Main Campus classes during this time are not eligible for a refund of their confirmation deposit.

Continuing students who drop all Main Campus classes (including their eligible special session classes) through the Last Day to Withdraw from a Special Session with 100% refund; $200 Fee Applies period are required to pay a $200 withdrawal fee. The withdrawal fee is applied even when remaining enrolled in Continuing Education classes. Continuing Education students (non-degree students) are not assessed a financial penalty if they withdraw by the end of this period. New, readmit & transfer students are not eligible for a confirmation deposit refund, and will not be charged the withdrawal fee if they drop by the Drop with No Penalty deadline.

You may be eligible to receive a refund of tuition and fees depending on your enrollment in special sessions.

In-state students who withdraw from a special session may be eligible for a refund of tuition and fees. In-state students will only receive this refund if they withdraw from the whole semester during an applicable refund period AND if their withdrawal from a special session changes their enrollment status at Boulder (e.g., from enrolled to withdrawn, or from full time to half time).

Out-of-state students who withdraw from a session but remain enrolled in other Main Campus sessions will not receive a refund of tuition and fees. Out-of-state students are billed a flat rate regardless of the number of credit hours in which they’re enrolled, and will not receive a refund if they stay enrolled in any number of credit hours (1–18). Nonresidents will only receive a refund of costs of attendance if they withdraw from all sessions by the end of the $200 withdrawal fee period.

Withdrawal Refund Key

Use the refund key to determine if you qualify for a refund.

How to Withdraw & How to Return

Once you've decided you need to withdraw from the semester or session, your next steps depend on whether you're a new or continuing student, and what type of program you're in.

Find the section below that best matches your current enrollment status and follow the instructions to complete your withdrawal.

How to Withdraw from the Semester

If this will be your first semester at Boulder and you've confirmed your intent to enroll, follow these steps to minimize your tuition and fee responsibilities:

  1. Cancel your application or submit a withdrawal form.
    • If classes haven't started, complete the withdraw your application form on your  or email admissions@colorado.edu.
    • If classes have started, submit a withdrawal form to the Office of the Registrar.

Note: If you cancel your application or withdraw before the third Wednesday of classes (i.e., you don't receive W grades on your transcript), you're no longer an active student. If you decide to come back to Boulder, you'll need to reapply through the Office of Admissions.

  1. Use the withdrawal checklist to identify other offices you need to contact about your withdrawal. Specifically:
    • If you accepted a financial aid package, contact the Office of Financial Aid (303-492-5091, online contact form) before you withdraw.
    • If you're an international student, be sure to consult with International Student & Scholar Services (303-492-8057, isss@colorado.edu). International students on a F-1 or J-1 visa must receive approval from their international advisor to withdraw. Failure to do so could endanger your immigration status.
  2. Continue to monitor your student accounts and resolve to-do items or holds.

How to Return

If you defer your admission for between one and three semesters, you will remain in admitted student status until classes begin for the designated semester. If you were refunded your confirmation deposit or had your confirmation deposit credited toward the withdrawal fee, you must repay the confirmation deposit upon returning to the university.

As mentioned above, students who cancel their application or withdraw before the third Wednesday of classes must reapply through the Office of Admissions to return to Boulder.

How to Withdraw from the Semester

If you've received grades (W grades count) for at least one semester at Boulder and the current semester's classes have started, follow these steps to minimize your tuition and fee responsibilities:

  1. Review the current term's withdrawal information (see resources sidebar) to understand the potential impacts of withdrawing. (We also recommended that you  before you withdraw.)
  2. Submit a withdrawal form to the Office of the Registrar.*
  3. Use the withdrawal checklist to identify other offices you need to contact about your withdrawal.
  4. Continue to monitor your student accounts and resolve to-do items or holds.
  5. If you'd like to maintain access to select university services and programs during your absence, apply for optional leave-of-absence benefits.

*Approvals required: NCAA athletes must receive approval from the Department of Athletics to withdraw and, after the tenth week of classes (or the equivalent in Summer Session), students in Environmental Design and Music programs must receive approval from their dean.

How to Return

You may take off up to two consecutive semesters plus summer without having to reapply for admission. See the undergraduate return chart for details. If you don't return to Boulder by the deadline, you'll no longer be an active Boulder student, and you'll need to reapply through the Office of Admissions to come back.

How to Withdraw & Remain Active in Your Degree Program

To remain active in your graduate, law or MBA program, you must receive a grade every fall and spring semester (W grades count) or . If you don't, you'll be discontinued and must reapply to the university in order to return to Boulder.

*A leave of absence is not required for summer semester; graduate students not taking summer classes are considered active students.

If you haven't already done so:

  1. Review the withdrawal calendar and the withdrawal information for the current semester or session (in resources sidebar) to understand the potential impacts of withdrawing.
  2. Submit a withdrawal form if you don't intend to re-enroll in classes for the semester or session.
  3. If you want to remain active in your program,  (only necessary if you don't receive a W grade for the semester).
  4. Go through the withdrawal checklist and complete any items that pertain to your record.

How To Withdraw & Discontinue Your Degree Program

  1. Review the withdrawal calendar and the withdrawal information for the current semester or session (in resources sidebar) to understand the potential impacts of withdrawing.
  2. Submit a withdrawal form and indicate that you aren't returning to the university.
  3. Go through the withdrawal checklist and complete any items that pertain to your record.

How to Withdraw

If you intend to withdraw from a Continuing Education (CE) session or withdraw from all of your classes within the term, follow the steps below. Please note, withdrawing from all of your classes within the term is a term withdrawal and you may not be able to re-enroll in courses in that term. 

  1. Review the CE for your courses to understand other potential impacts of withdrawing. Please be aware of any housing, financial aid, scholarships, GI Bill and healthcare ties related to your credit load that may be affected. 
  2. Submit the Withdrawal Form. If you have any issues with the form, email the CE records team. If you intend to drop only some of your courses, depending on your course(s) and deadline(s), you may be able to drop individual courses through the Buff Portal.
  3. You will receive a W grade (Withdrew) on your course(s) once your withdrawal is processed; the grade does not impact your . There is no automatic tuition refund. If you want to petition for the CE tuition refund due to extenuating circumstances, you can start that process with the .

If you're a military member, fire fighter or police officer who has been called to active duty and/or to help with a disaster and you follow the steps below:

  • You do not need your dean's approval to withdraw.
  • The university will refund your tuition and fees in full.
  • You'll receive W grades for your in-progress classes (only if you submit the withdrawal form after the third Wednesday of classes).
  • You may return to your program with the same degree requirements as when you left.

This policy complies with CCHE revisions to the Tuition and Fees Policy.

How to Withdraw from the Semester

  1. Submit a withdrawal form to the Office of the Registrar. Indicate that the reason you're withdrawing is "Military reasons."
  2. The withdrawal coordinator will approve your withdrawal and drop you from your classes.
  3. If you're receiving financial aid, contact Veteran's Affairs to determine the best refund for you based on the Department of Education's rules governing financial aid.
  4. Use the withdrawal checklist to identify other offices you need to contact about your withdrawal.
  5. Submit a  for miliary active duty and attach a copy of your activation letter or orders. Once your activation letter is received, the Office of the Registrar will apply a full refund. Your leave of absence will be approved if you are one of the following as well:
    • An undergraduate who will not be returning to Boulder within three semesters
    • A graduate, law or MBA student who is called to active duty (all signature requirements are waived)

How to Apply for a Leave of Absence

Students who are called to active duty as military personnel, or fire fighters and police officers called to help with disasters, may apply for a leave of absence as an active-duty exception.

Taking a leave of absence allows those who are serving to return to Boulder without having to reapply. For a full list of benefits, see the benefits section. Graduate students, as well as undergraduate students who will be serving longer than the allowed leave of absence period (up to two semesters off plus summer), should fill out this form.

You must submit a copy of your activation letter or orders before we can process your leave request.

Please note:
  • If the Office of the Registrar does not receive a copy of your active duty orders, we cannot make this exception.
  • You cannot be enrolled in classes while on a leave of absence. If you return from service earlier than expected, please email withdraw@colorado.edu.  

How to Return

If you selected a return term in your withdrawal application, the Office of the Registrar will automatically assign you enrollment dates for that term. You'll receive an email reminder in March for fall semester, October for spring semester and February for Summer Session. Holds may prevent you from registering; check your account before your enrollment dates begin.

Contact Us

   withdraw@colorado.edu
   303-492-6970

Resources

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