Withdrawals

What is the difference between dropping a class and withdrawing from it? Whether you drop a course or withdraw from it is determined by what time in the term you request the course to be removed. Dropping a class prior to the registration deadline date removes the class and all associated fees from your record. A withdrawal is maintained permanently on your academic record (a W is added next to the course name on your transcript) and occurs when the request is made after the registration deadline for the course.

To see the Add/Drop, Withdrawal, Fee Payment, and Fee Refund deadlines for a given term, visit Registration Dates and Deadlines.

Withdraw

Undergraduate Students can withdraw from courses in Bear Tracks.

Students who are contemplating withdrawal are encouraged to contact their Faculty Advisor and/or Student Services with questions relating to their withdrawal decision, readmission, or future vocational plans.

Students should be aware that when they withdraw from a course at any time after the registration deadline, they have effectively occupied a place in the class for the entire term. Since space in classes is limited, the university aims to ensure that as many opportunities as possible are left open for students seeking to register. The university treats all students in an equitable fashion adhering strictly to the deadlines published.

How to Withdraw

Until the withdrawal deadline in a term, students may withdraw from courses using Bear Tracks. See the Student Registration Experience Guide for step by step instructions.

Financial Implications of Withdrawals

• If a student withdraws from a course after the Registration Deadline and up to the Refund Deadline there will be a 50% reduction in the instructional fees assessed. If the course change results in a registration status change, non-instructional fees will also be reassessed.
• Students who withdraw after the Refund Deadline will not receive any reduction in tuition fees assessed.
• Fee deadlines are firm and are strictly enforced. Students must ensure that they process and confirm any intended withdrawals by the required deadlines since ignorance of the deadline or its consequences will not be accepted as an excuse. No special financial consideration is given to students who must withdraw after the deadlines.
• For course withdrawals after the Registration Deadline, the effective date of the withdrawal is the day the Faculty receives the withdrawal form. Students who register and then cease to attend or never attend without formally withdrawing will not be eligible for any refund of fees nor will they be exempt from paying assessed fees that are unpaid.
• The tuition deposit is nonrefundable, except in cases where a student has paid the deposit and is subsequently denied admission or is deemed ineligible to continue prior to the start of the current term.
• Where students have a credit balance as a result of reassessment, the University of Alberta (Student Receivables, Billing and Collections, Finance Services) will issue a refund. For more information, visit the Refunds and Withdrawals web page.
• Students are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of their registrations. Students should validate course changes by going to Bear Tracks, under 'Manage Classes' and select the 'My Schedule - Calendar' link.
• If you have not paid your full fee assessment for the term when you withdraw, you may still owe money to the university. Check your assessment and account balance in Bear Tracks.
• If you had to abandon your courses for medical reasons and you have Students' Union Health Plan coverage, you may be eligible to submit a claim for Tuition Insurance.