Undergraduate Withdrawals

We know students interrupt their studies for many different — and often very personal — reasons. That’s why we are committed to making your transition as smooth as possible. 

Regardless of what path you take, when you're ready to return to your studies, we'll be here to help you re-enroll. 

Have questions or want to talk about your options? Contact the Office of Academic Progression & Success at 518-442-3950 or [email protected]

 

What do I need to know before I withdraw? 

Withdrawing means you're leaving the University — and therefore losing access to the services and privileges available to enrolled students. 

You will have access to your UAlbany email address for one year after you withdraw from the University. 

Visit the Undergraduate Bulletin for more information on the University’s policies on withdrawals. 

Before you withdraw, we encourage you to explore whether a leave for approved study or a degree in absentia may be a better option for your individual circumstance.
 

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Academic Records

Please visit the Academic Calendar for course withdrawal deadlines. 

Students who withdraw from a course before the end of the add/drop period will have the course registration deleted from their records. 

Students who withdraw from a course after the program adjustment period and up through the course withdrawal deadline will have a grade of W (Withdrawn).  

Students cannot withdraw after the course withdrawal deadline without approval from the Committee on Academic Standing (see below).

Appeal for an Exception to the Course Withdrawal Deadline

Students seeking to late drop or withdraw from a course due to extenuating circumstances can submit an Undergraduate Request for Exception to Course Withdrawal Deadline Form. The course instructor must also complete a portion of the form. 

Requests must include information about the extenuating circumstance and why it prevented the student from dropping the course by the deadline. Visit the Academic Calendar for course withdrawal deadlines. 

Students must have been making satisfactory academic progress before the extenuating circumstances occurred. Appeals based solely on poor performance will not be considered. 

The student will be notified via their UAlbany email after a decision is made. 

Approved appeals require an administrative fee, which must be paid before the withdrawal can be processed. Instructions for paying the fee will be included in the notification email. 

Note: Students who are granted a late withdraw from a course are still financially liable for the course. 

Financial Liability

Your financial liability is based on when you withdraw, even if you do not attend classes. Visit the Academic Calendar for financial liability deadlines. 

If you withdraw before completing at least 60% of the academic term, a portion of your federal Title IV aid — which includes federal loans — may be returned to the appropriate aid program. If aid is returned, you may still owe a balance to the University. 

Students who have dropped or withdrawn from courses and are seeking an exception to the SUNY tuition policy will need to submit an appeal to the Tuition Appeals Committee

Visit Student Financial Services’ Financial Liability for Dropping Courses or Withdrawing page for more information, including details on how medical or military withdrawals affect your liability. 

Student Conduct Referrals

Withdrawing will not override a student conduct referral because students are not exempt from disciplinary proceedings for behavioral infractions that happened before they left the University. 

If you have a disciplinary suspension or dismissal pending, please contact the Office of Academic Progression & Success at 518-442-3950 or [email protected] and/or the Office of Community Standards.

What are my withdrawal options? 

The Office of Academic Progression & Success handles four types of withdrawals for matriculated (degree-seeking) undergraduate students during the fall and spring semesters. 

Note: Students who want to withdraw from a summer or winter session should contact the Office of General Studies at [email protected] or 518-442-5140 for guidance.
 

Student-initiated Withdrawals

If you decide to formally withdraw from your undergraduate studies at UAlbany, you must notify the Office of Academic Progression & Success by submitting the Undergraduate Withdrawal Form

  • If you intend to withdraw from the current semester, you must submit your withdrawal form by the last day of classes, before final exams begin. 

  • If you intend to withdraw from future studies, you can submit your withdrawal form at any time, and we will complete the withdrawal at the end of the term. 

You will receive written confirmation once your withdrawal has been processed and completed. 

Failure to submit the withdrawal form may result in financial and academic consequences, as detailed below, and the loss of some readmission options. 

If you live on campus, please also contact Residential Life to request to be released from your housing contract

When you’re ready to re-enroll, review the Readmission and Degree Completion sections for instructions. 

University-initiated Withdrawals

When a student interrupts their continuous enrollment in UAlbany, they are withdrawn administratively. 

If you drop all your classes before the semester begins or during the current semester, you’ll be withdrawn from that term and any future term. 

If you complete the current semester but do not register for the upcoming semester by the time late registration ends, you’ll be withdrawn from the upcoming term and any future term. 

Either way, when you’re ready to return to your studies, you can apply for readmission. Review the Readmission and Degree Completion sections for instructions on how to re-enroll. 

Medical Withdrawals

Students who need to withdraw during the semester for medical reasons — whether related to physical or mental health — must submit an Undergraduate Withdrawal Form

If you indicate on the form that you are withdrawing for a medical reason, your submission will be referred to either Student Health Services (SHS) or Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), depending on the nature of the condition or circumstances. 

You or your health care provider must send your supporting documentation to the director of SHS or CAPS within 15 calendar days of your withdrawal form submission.  

The documentation must be completed and signed by the licensed health professional or treatment facility providing the student with treatment. It must include:  

  • The number of assessment and/or treatment sessions the student has had, with beginning and end dates  

  • The student’s ICD-10 or DSM-V diagnosis  

  • A brief description of the student’s health condition, including a statement highlighting the ways in which their condition significantly interferes with their performance as a student  

  • An explicit recommendation for a medical withdrawal  

This documentation will be stored in your SHS or CAPS medical record and will not be included in your academic record. For this reason, please do not send medical records to the Office of Academic Progression & Success or the Office of Undergraduate Education. 

Students withdrawing for physical medical reasons should send their documentation to SHS:  

  • Director of Student Health Services 

Students withdrawing for psychological reasons should send their documentation to CAPS:   

  • Director of Counseling & Psychological Services 

Students are responsible for confirming the correct office has received all required documentation. 

All medical withdrawal requests are processed as a regular withdrawal until the medical documentation is received and confirmed by a licensed practitioner on campus. 

Failure to properly submit required documentation by the deadline will result in your withdrawal being processed as a student-initiated withdrawal (see above). 

You should also contact Residential Life for information on housing releases and/or charge adjustments if you live on campus. 

Note: Medical withdrawals are for the full semester’s registration only. If you intended to drop one course but missed the deadline for a health-related reason, you may request an exception to the course withdrawal deadline (see below). 

When you’re ready to re-enroll, review the Readmission and Degree Completion sections for instructions. 

Military Withdrawals

Matriculated (degree-seeking) undergraduate students who need to withdraw because their U.S. military unit has been called into active duty must submit an Undergraduate Withdrawal Form

If you indicate on the form that you are withdrawing for active duty, you must also send written verification of their military orders to the Office of Academic Progression & Success within 15 calendar days of the withdrawal form submission. 

Students who are called to military active duty will be relieved of all tuition and fees, once their withdrawal has been verified and approved by the Office of Academic Progression & Success. 

Students who withdraw for active duty before completing the academic term will receive all “W” (Withdrawn) grades. However, if a military withdrawal occurs near the end of the academic term, when the student has completed all or most course requirements, the student should contact their instructors to negotiate a grade. 

Instructors can opt to give the student a grade on the work that has been completed or give the student an “I” (incomplete), allowing them to complete the course later. If an “I” is assigned, the student and instructor should discuss the conditions for completion. 

Charges for courses with a grade or an Incomplete will not be adjusted. 

Questions? 

When you’re ready to re-enroll, review the Readmission and Degree Completion sections for instructions.

Note: Making false statements, filing forged documents and/or submitting false material to a University committee violates the standards of integrity. Such violations are subject to appropriate disciplinary action. 

 

What do I need to do after my withdrawal is approved? 

  • Update your email address, permanent mailing address and phone number on MyUAlbany. The University will use these to contact you with any important information. You should also continue to monitor your UAlbany email address, which will remain active for the next year. 

  • Determine if you have an outstanding balance on your student account. Additional charges may appear after you withdraw. Contact Student Financial Services with any financial questions. 

  • Check out of your on-campus housing and return your key. If you live on campus, please also contact Residential Life to request to be released from your housing contract

  • Plan to continue your studies, when you’re ready. Review the Readmission and Degree Completion sections to learn about the re-enrollment process. 

 

Undergraduate Readmission & Degree Completion 

Once you’re a Great Dane, you’re always a Great Dane. So, whether it’s been a few semesters or a few years, you can do this — and we can help. 

Have questions or want to talk about your options? Contact the Office of Academic Progression & Success at 518-442-3950 or [email protected]

 

How do I apply for readmission? 

All applicants must submit a Readmission Application and $40 non-refundable application fee. 

Some applicants are also required to submit additional materials, depending on their individual circumstances. 

Please note that previous admissions decisions do not guarantee readmission. 

Visit the Undergraduate Bulletin for more information on the University’s policies on readmission. 
 

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Readmission Application

If you’re ready to re-enroll at UAlbany, please submit a Readmission Application

Your application will be carefully considered once all your application materials are received. A decision will be sent to the email address you provided in your application. 

Note: If you’ve been away for more than a year (two semesters), your UAlbany email address won’t be active, and you should use alternative email for your readmission application. 

Transcripts from Other Institutions

If you have attended any other colleges or university since you last attended UAlbany, you must also send an official transcript from each school to [email protected] and notify the Office of Academic Progression & Success by emailing [email protected].

Petition to the Committee on Academic Standing

If your cumulative grade point average (GPA) was below 2.00 and/or you were Academically Dismissed from UAlbany, you must also complete a Petition to the Committee on Academic Standing. The petition is included in the Readmission Application. 

Applications that must be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing take longer to process and have a deadline. See the Application Deadlines section below for more information. 

Your readmission application, fee, petition and any required supporting documentation must all be received by the application deadline.

Medical Clearance

If you left UAlbany with an approved medical withdrawal, you must also receive medical clearance to return. 

To be medically cleared, you or your health care provider must submit evidence of your treatment to either Student Health Services (SHS) or Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), depending on the nature of the condition or circumstances. 

The documentation must be completed and signed by the licensed health professional or treatment facility providing the student with treatment. It must include: 

  • The number of assessment and/or treatment sessions the student has had, with beginning and end dates  

  • The student’s ICD-10 or DSM-V diagnosis  

  • A brief description of the student’s condition, including a statement highlighting the ways in which their condition has improved and will no longer significantly interfere with their performance as a student  

  • An explicit recommendation for readmission  

Students who withdrew for physical medical reasons should send their documentation to SHS:  

  • Director of Student Health Services 

Students who withdrew for psychological reasons should send their documentation to CAPS:   

  • Director of Counseling & Psychological Services 

Students are responsible for confirming the correct office has received all required documentation.   

This documentation will be stored in your SHS or CAPS medical record and will not be included in your academic record. For this reason, please do not send medical records to the the Office of Academic Progression & Success or the Office of Undergraduate Education.

Application Deadlines

In the application, you will be asked to indicate which semester or term you anticipate re-enrolling. 

If you are later unable to re-enroll during that semester or term, you may need to submit a new readmission application. Email [email protected] to discuss your options. 

Our application timelines listed below make for a timely decision, allowing readmitted students to register for classes. 

If you have a hold on your student account or any other outstanding financial obligation to the University, you can still be readmitted, but you must clear the hold before you can register. 

Deadlines for Summer or Fall Enrollment 

  • Readmission applications for a summer or fall enrollment can be submitted as early as February. 

  • If your application needs to be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing (see “Application Materials” below for the criteria), you must submit your application by July 1.  

  • If your application doesn’t need to be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing, we strongly recommend that you submit your application before August 1. This will ensure timely processing of your application. 

Deadlines for Winter or Spring Enrollment 

  • Readmission applications for winter or spring enrollment can be submitted as early as September. 

  • If your application needs to be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing (see “Application Materials” below for the criteria), you must submit your application by November 1

  • If your application doesn’t need to be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing, you can submit it at any time. However, for timely processing, please submit your application at least two weeks before the semester is set to begin. 

Am I eligible for the Degree Completion program?  

Success is in reach. UAlbany’s Degree Completion program allows you to take the 300- and 400-level courses you need to complete your bachelor’s degree. 

You’re eligible for the program if you withdrew from UAlbany in the past few years and have already earned at least 61 credits. And you’re automatically considered for the program when you apply for readmission

If accepted, our Degree Completion Coordinator will work with you to chart an individualized path toward graduation – working with academic departments and student services to ensure you can access the classes and support you need to stay on track. 

Degree Completion students can enroll as full-time or part-time students. Flexible, in-person and 100% online options are available. 

Questions? Please contact the Office of Academic Progression & Success at 518-442-3950 or [email protected]

 

What do I need to do after I've applied for readmission? 

Once you’ve submitted all readmission materials, you should start preparing to return to your studies. 

If you have any questions or concerns about the status of your application, please contact the Office of Academic Progression & Success at 518-442-3950 or [email protected]

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