Dropping Classes or Withdrawing from NDSCS
Dropping classes after the semester has started can negatively affect a student’s NDSCS account balance, their ability to receive current and future financial aid and their college transcript. Students should consider the following information before dropping any classes:
- Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor or Student Success before making changes to their schedule.
- Academic Drop Dates are often different than Tuition Refund Dates.
- Review the NDSCS Drop/Withdrawal/Refund Deadlines (found below) carefully to determine how dropping the applicable class will affect the student’s college transcript and/or the availability to receive a tuition refund.
- The final day to drop a class without receiving an “earned” grade on the student’s transcript varies depending on the start/end dates.
- A final grade is considered “earned” after the last day to drop the class.
Procedures for Dropping or Withdrawing
Students who are enrolled for the current semester, and choose to no longer attend classes for the remainder of the semester, need to initiate that request through Campus Connection > NDSCS e-forms > Enrollment Services > Cancel/Withdraw to Zero.
Note: A final grade is considered “earned” after the last day to drop the class.
Class Drop
Student chooses to drop one or more of their classes but remain enrolled in at least one class within the semester.
- Dropping some, but not all, classes during a semester can be done by the student in Campus Connection.
- Dropping all classes needs to be initiated through Campus Connection > NDSCS e-forms > Enrollment Services > Cancel/Withdraw to Zero.
- If a student requests to drop all remaining classes and a final grade has been earned in at least one class within the current semester, the request will be processed as a “Class Drop” rather than a “Term Withdrawal”.
Term Withdrawal
Student requests to be withdrawn from all classes within the semester (no final grade has been earned for any class).
- If a student requests to drop all classes and a final grade has not been earned in any class within the current semester, the request may qualify as a “Term Withdrawal”. If a final grade has been earned in at least one class within the current semester, the request will be processed as a “Class Drop” rather than a “Term Withdrawal” for the remaining classes.
- Student needs to initiate a “Term Withdrawal” request through Campus Connection > NDSCS e-forms > Enrollment Services > Cancel/Withdraw to Zero.
Financial Impacts of Dropping or Withdrawing
NDSCS is required to follow the ND State Board of Higher Education Policy 830.2 and Procedure 830.2 regarding class drops and/or withdrawals.
- Refund eligibility is based on the date on which the drop/withdrawal is effective. See the NDSCS Drop/Withdrawal/Refund Deadlines (found below) for specific session dates.
- Any cost adjustments to a student’s original charges will first be applied to the semester’s outstanding NDSCS balance before a refund is issued to the student (if applicable).
- A class that is dropped prior to the completion of 9% of the class session will receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees for the number of credits related to the dropped class. After 9% of the class session, no refund of tuition and fees will be received.
Financial Aid Implications
Withdrawing from a term may require the return of Federal Financial Aid funds. At the start of the semester, students are provided with financial aid under the assumption that the student will complete the semester. If a student withdraws mid-semester, a calculation of “earned” aid is completed by the Financial Aid Office. This calculation will take multiple factors into consideration, including the student’s last date of attendance. “Unearned” aid is returned to the Department of Education and/or the loan servicer and may result in a balance due to NDSCS, which must be paid by the student.
Dropping from a course or withdrawing from a term can also affect future financial aid eligibility. Pursuant to standards of Satisfactory Progress, students must complete 67% of attempted credits. Dropping a course or withdrawing from a term can result in a student failing to meet the requirement.
Official vs Unofficial Withdrawals
Official Withdrawal: The date that the student formally notifies NDSCS of their intent to withdraw via online e-form which includes their electronic signature.
Unofficial Withdrawal: The date that a student ceases to be an eligible recipient of financial aid funds as a result of failing to attend and/or participate in classes. Unofficial withdrawals are related only to financial aid eligibility and do not result in the refund of NDSCS tuition and student fee charges. To be considered for a refund of tuition and fees, the student must officially withdraw from NDSCS.
Note: Both official and unofficial withdrawals may result in the recalculation and return of financial aid funds to the U.S. Department of Education. Additionally, if a final grade has been earned in at least one class within the current semester and the student ceases to attend remaining classes, recalculation and return of financial aid funds may occur.