Drop a class

Check the registration drop/add deadlines for information about refunds, when permission is needed, and if a “W” will appear on your transcript (“W” stands for withdrawal from a class after the second week; “W” does not impact your GPA). If no approvals are required and you are confident that making the change is necessary, you may drop your class through MyU: Academics.

If you would like to replace a class with another, swapping classes may be more appropriate.

Drop a class considerations

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Effect on financial aid

Undergraduates must maintain a minimum current registration of 6 credits (half-time status) to qualify for federal loans. Some federal, state, and University financial aid programs require full-time status. The effect on your financial aid will depend on when you withdraw and the type of aid you receive. You may be required to return all or a portion of financial aid disbursed to you.

Consult with a One Stop counselor before you withdraw to determine the impact, if any, on your financial aid, tuition, and/or fees.

Impact on degree progress

  • Meet with the faculty member teaching the course, academic or faculty adviser, or other staff member to discuss options. There may be other college or department requirements to complete before dropping a course.
  • Student-athletes notify the athletic advisor and the Athletic department of your change in UMD status.
  • Graduate students contact the Graduate Office with any questions, 218-726-7523.
  • Pharmacy students contact the Office of Student Services, 218-726-6003.
  • Medical students contact the Student Affairs Office, 218-726-8873.
  • Veterans contact University Veteran Services if you are receiving veterans' educational benefits.
  • International students contact the Office of International Student Services.

Withdrawing after the deadline

Withdrawal from classes after the deadline requires submission of the Petition for academic policy or tuition refund for UMD students form (registration exception) along with supporting documentation of extenuating non-academic circumstances justifying late withdrawal. Such petitions will not be granted solely because you are doing poorly in the class(es).

Please note that petitions submitted after the deadline are generally expected to be for a total withdrawal from all active courses. Selective withdrawals (dropping only one or two courses) are rarely approved. If you are petitioning to drop only specific courses, your personal statement must clearly explain how your documented extenuating circumstance specifically impacted those courses while leaving your remaining coursework unaffected.

There is one exception that allows undergraduate students to drop a class without approval. Once during your undergraduate enrollment, you may withdraw from a class and receive a “W” on your transcript after the deadline for withdrawal and without documented extenuating circumstances. This process requires you to use the One-Time Late Withdrawal Request - Undergraduate Students form. The one-time late withdrawal can be used up to and including the last day of instruction (see the academic calendar) for the course in the current term. The form must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on the last day of instruction for the session in which the course is delivered. It cannot be used during or after finals week. A student may not submit this form after the final or its equivalent has been completed. Check with your college advising office regarding one-time only withdrawal procedures and the potential implications for your program of study.

Alternate option to withdrawing from a class

As an alternate option, if you have already completed a substantial portion of the work for a class, you may work with your instructor to get an "I" (incomplete) in a course and complete the work at a later date. More information on this option. 

How to drop a class

Text instructions

  1. Log into MyU and select the Academics tab.
  2. Click the Registration sub-tab.
  3. Click the Register button.
  4. Select the Drop tab.
  5. Select the appropriate term and click the Continue button.
  6. Check the box next to the class you would like to drop, and then click the Drop Selected Classes button.
  7. Confirm the classes you want to drop, and then click the Finish Dropping button.
  8. View your results. A green checkmark indicates the drop was successful.

Visual guide

Note: The following guide is a visual representation of the text instructions above.

To open the guide in a new window, use the full-screen version.