Withdrawal and Cancellation

Cancelling means dropping ALL courses for the semester before the first day of instruction.

Prior to 11:59 PM CST the day before the first day of instruction for a semester, you may cancel your registration and be relieved of all tuition and fee charges. If you either attend a class or use campus services and then wish to leave the university, you are no longer eligible for cancellation and must instead pursue official withdrawal.  

• When cancelling enrollment, students should consider (and consult with relevant offices to be sure they understand) any additional steps involved regarding housing arrangements, financial aid, visa status (if applicable), and other unique student statuses (like athletics eligibility and more).  
• Students are encouraged to work with the DGS team in advance of their cancellation decision to better understand how cancellation might impact their timeline to declaring a major (or ICT), their semesters of eligibility in DGS, and on future course registration and/or re-enrollment. 

You may cancel your registration in one of the following ways:

• Online using Student Self-Service.  The Enhanced Registration option allows you to drop ALL classes for a semester until approximately 10 days before instruction begins.
   
• With the Classic Registration, once you have dropped all but your last class using the Add/Drop Classes option (you will not be permitted to drop your last class), use the Cancel Registration option and complete all verifications to indicate your intent to cancel your registration. This electronic notification is time-stamped and must be submitted no later than the midnight before the first day of instruction to be eligible for cancellation.
   
• For additional details about cancellation procedures including unique steps involved for summer term cancellation, please visit the Office of the Registrar's site. 

Withdrawing means dropping ALL courses for the semester after the first day of instruction. 

Effective the first day of classes for a term, Student Self-Service will no longer be available for a student to cancel or withdraw from enrollment for the term.  Withdrawal must be accomplished via submission of a Withdrawal Form available only through the student's undergraduate college.

In DGS:

• An appointment with the Director or Associate Director is required prior to completion of the Withdrawal Form
• Withdrawal requests made prior to the deadline to withdraw can be approved without extenuating circumstances
• Requests after the deadline to withdraw from classes are approved only in situations in which students are experiencing significant extenuating circumstances (documentation may be required)

• If you fail to follow the official withdrawal procedure—e.g., you simply stop going to classes and leave campus—you are still responsible for tuition and fee assessments and will earn 'F' grades in your classes.
• Refunds for tuition and fees are provided on a pro-rata basis depending on the date of withdrawal. Special refund policies apply if you withdraw to enter active duty in the armed forces or other approved national defense.
• Students should consider (and consult with relevant offices to be sure they understand) how a withdrawal decision impacts their housing arrangements, financial aid, visa status (if applicable), and other unique student statuses (like athletics eligibility and more).  
• In making a withdrawal decision, students should also work with the DGS team to understand the impact of a withdrawal term on their timeline to declaring a major (or ICT), their semesters of eligibility in DGS, and on future course registration and/or re-enrollment. 
• More information and applicable refund deadlines are available at the Office of the Registrar.

• Call the DGS office to schedule an appointment with the Director or Associate Director - 217-333-4710.
• If you are approved for withdrawal, DGS will submit the official Withdrawal Form to International Student and Scholar Services (for international students) or to the Office of the Registrar (for all other students).  It may take several business days before the withdrawal is indicated in your student record. 
• In unique cases it may be determined that the medical withdrawal process through the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) is the more appropriate option for a student to pursue. During your DGS appointment, we will work to better understand your circumstances and refer you to ODOS if appropriate.