Withdrawal Procedures
Prior to the First Day of Classes:
Students who have registered for classes for the upcoming term and have decided not to attend CSU, Chico should drop all of their classes via their Portal account. If a student wants to drop all of their courses, but the Portal is not available, the student should call Student Records & Registration at 530-898-5142 for assistance.
- Financial aid recipients must contact the Financial Aid Office at 530-898-6451
- Continuing students that wish to return in a future semester must submit a completed Planned Educational Leave (PDF) to Student Records & Registration
- New undergraduate students must contact the Admissions Office at 530-898-6321
- New graduate students must contact Graduate Studies at 530-898-6880
Effective the First Day of Classes:
Students seeking an undergraduate degree
- As of the first day of the semester, any undergraduate student wishing to drop all classes for the semester must initiate an official withdrawal with Student Records & Registration, SSC 110. In the case that a student is unable to initiate a withdrawal in person, Student Records & Registration should be contacted for assistance at 530-898-5142.
- Continuing students should complete a Planned Educational Leave (PDF)
- New students that withdraw during the first four weeks of the semester will need to reapply for admission in order to return
- Students with future enrollments are responsible for dropping their classes via the Portal. If the Portal is unavailable, the student should contact the Student Records & Registration Office 530-898-5142.
Students seeking a graduate degree
- As of the first day of the semester, any student seeking a graduate degree wishing to drop all classes for the semester must initiate an official withdrawal with Graduate Studies, SSC 460
Refund of Fees
Students completing a Request for Withdrawal are liable for a prorated assessment of fees and/or tuition for any classes which are dropped on or after the first day of classes up to the 65th day of the term, after which no adjustment of fees is made. Students are also liable for any financial holds or equipment on loan by this university. Students do not need to request a refund of their fees as refunds will be automatically processed by Student Financial Services within 3-4 weeks.
After 4th Week of Classes (census):
Students seeking an undergraduate degree
- After the 4th week of the semester, any undergraduate student wishing to drop all classes for the semester must initiate an official withdrawal with Student Records & Registration, SSC 110. In the case that a student is unable to initiate a withdrawal in person, Student Records & Registration should be contacted for assistance at 530-898-5142.
- A letter grade of “W”, signifying “Withdrawal” will appear on your academic record for each course dropped
- In order to withdraw from all courses, undergraduate students must provide documentation of a serious and compelling reason
- The reason for the withdrawal shall be stated with the request and maintained in accordance with the campus retention policy. A written statement or other supporting documentation is required before the withdrawal will be processed.
- Reasons which may be considered serious and compelling include financial hardship, illness, accident, death in the family, etc.
- Reasons which are not considered serious and compelling are withdrawal due to course workload, neglecting to drop classes during the first 4 weeks of the semester, failing an assignment, etc
- Withdrawals due to circumstances clearly beyond the student’s control, such as serious illness or accident, and the assignment of an Incomplete (I) grade is not practical, will not count in the 18 unit limit (below).
- The reason for the withdrawal shall be stated with the request and maintained in accordance with the campus retention policy. A written statement or other supporting documentation is required before the withdrawal will be processed.
- Beginning fall 2009, undergraduate students may withdraw from no more than 18 semester units after the fourth week of the semester. A withdrawal request which results in exceeding the 18 unit limit will be returned to the student unprocessed and the appropriate grade shall be assigned by the instructor at the end of the term.
- Students withdrawing after the 4th week are considered continuing students and will automatically be updated for registration for the following semester. If you are not returning for the following semester should complete a Planned Educational Leave (PDF).
Students seeking a graduate degree
- Any student seeking a graduate degree wishing to drop all classes for the semester must initiate an official withdrawal with Graduate Studies, SSC 460.
Refund of Fees
Students completing a Request for Withdrawal are liable for a prorated assessment of fees and/or tuition for any classes which are dropped on or after the first day of classes up to the 65th day of the term, after which no adjustment of fees is made. Students are also liable for any financial holds or equipment on loan by this university. Students do not need to request a refund of their fees as refunds will be automatically processed by Student Financial Services within 3-4 weeks.
Last 3 Weeks of Classes:
Students seeking an undergraduate degree
- During the last 3 weeks of the semester, any undergraduate wishing to drop all classes for the semester must meet with an advisor in Academic Advising and provide documentation of a verifiable serious illness or accident.
- Faculty have the option of assigning a grade to any class that has been officially dropped during the last 3 weeks of the semester. If no grade is assigned, a “W”, signifying “Withdrawal” will appear on your academic record for each course dropped.
- Students who have taken any final exams will not be eligible for formal withdrawal.
Students seeking a graduate degree
- Any student seeking a graduate degree wishing to drop all classes for the semester must initiate an official withdrawal with Graduate Studies, SSC 460.
Disclaimer: The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after fees are initially charged or initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide fees, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or the Presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory systemwide fees will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028 - 66028.6 of the Education Code).
For an estimated moderate standard of living budget, please refer to the Chico State Cost of Attendance.
