Withdrawing From University Of Alabama: Returning After A Semester Off

Students at the University of Alabama can withdraw from a semester for various reasons, including medical issues, military duty, or other personal circumstances. The process for withdrawing and the eligibility criteria depend on the specific situation and type of program the student is enrolled in. The University has outlined regulations for undergraduate and graduate students to follow when considering withdrawal, with specific instructions provided in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Students are advised to consult their academic advisors before making any decisions. It is important to note that withdrawing from a semester can have financial implications, and students are encouraged to understand the potential impact on their tuition, fees, and financial aid. The University also provides a separate set of guidelines for international students regarding withdrawals and leaves of absence.

Medical withdrawal and return

The University of Alabama's Medical Withdrawal and Return to Campus policy outlines procedures for students suffering from a physical, emotional, or psychological condition that significantly impairs their ability to function successfully or safely as a student.

Medical Withdrawal

Medical withdrawals are voluntary, but eligibility is limited to students who have not taken a final exam or otherwise completed coursework for a final grade. The University's Student Health Center (SHC) administers the policy, and a designated SHC physician handles all medical withdrawal decisions. The student must complete the Student Request for Medical Withdrawal form and have a licensed medical provider submit a Licensed Provider Recommendation for Medical Withdrawal form. The medical withdrawal request must be made before the close of business on the last day of classes of the semester in question. Once approved, the student is withdrawn from all courses for a given semester/term.

Return to Campus

When a medical withdrawal is approved, an SHC representative places a medical clearance hold on the student's record, which remains until appropriate medical documentation is received, and a designated SHC physician approves the release. The student must provide medical documentation from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or mental health professional indicating that it is safe for the student to resume classes. Upon receipt of this documentation, a designated SHC physician conducts an individualized assessment of the student's situation.

Every effort is made to respond to a student's request for return within 14 calendar days of receiving all requested materials. If the request is granted, relevant University personnel may contact the student to discuss a plan for sustained health, including ongoing treatment, accommodations, or other resources. If the request is denied, the student may appeal the decision by submitting an appeal letter to the SHC within 14 calendar days of receiving the decision.

Financial Impact of Medical Withdrawals

It is important to note that the purpose of the medical withdrawal and return policy is to provide academic relief to the student, not financial relief. Students should refer to the Student Account Services policy for information on the financial impact of withdrawals.

Impact on scholarships and financial aid

Students at the University of Alabama who are considering withdrawing from a course or semester are advised to first contact their academic advisor, as changes can result in delayed graduation. Dropping below full-time status may also impact insurance (health and auto), financial aid, and scholarships.

Full-time status is defined as 12 credit hours for undergraduate students, 9 credit hours for graduate students, and 10 credit hours for law students. Students who withdraw from a course or semester before the given deadlines will have their transcripts marked with a "W" grade.

The financial implications of withdrawing from the university vary depending on the type of withdrawal and the student's specific situation. Here are the key points regarding the impact on scholarships and financial aid:

• Withdrawing from a course or semester can affect a student's eligibility for federal financial aid, loans, and scholarships.
• Students who receive Federal Title IV aid (Federal Pell Grants, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants) may be subject to additional rules and regulations, which could result in the cancellation or reduction of their aid upon withdrawal.
• Federal aid is typically disbursed at the beginning of an enrollment period, but it is "earned" as the student attends classes. Therefore, there may be a difference between the awarded and "earned" aid at the point of withdrawal, which could result in the need to return the "unearned" portion of the aid.
• During the first 60% of the enrollment period, a student earns funds proportionate to the length of time they remain enrolled. After this point, the student has earned all the aid for the term.
• If a student withdraws and has received more Title IV funds than they have earned, they may need to return a portion of those funds.
• Any reductions in aid associated with institutional costs (tuition, dorm charges, college/course fees, and meal plans) will be returned to each source of aid/scholarship received by the student, following a specific order: Federal Direct Loan(s) (Unsubsidized, Subsidized, PLUS), Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG Grant, and then other aid or scholarships.
• Any remaining credit after these cancellations will be refunded to the student, less any charges remaining on their account.
• Withdrawing from all classes may result in the student becoming liable for any remaining institutional charges for the enrollment period, as well as any miscellaneous charges on their student account.
• Students who are considering a leave of absence or withdrawal due to medical reasons should refer to the University's Medical Withdrawal and Return to Campus policy, which is administered by the University's Student Health Center (SHC).
• The University's Student Account Services provides information on the financial impact of withdrawals at different stages of the semester.

Withdrawal before the final exam

At the University of Alabama, a student can withdraw from a semester through the last day of classes (excluding final exam periods) in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. A student can also withdraw from or drop an individual course until the end of the tenth week of a fall or spring semester, the second week of an interim session, the third week of a five-week summer session, or the fourth week of a 10-week session.

After this period, students are expected to maintain their course loads. However, in extraordinary circumstances beyond a student's control, they may petition the department chair to drop a course after the tenth week of class. If the department chair agrees, the petition is forwarded to the college dean, and if the college dean supports the petition, it is sent to the Graduate School for approval.

It is important to note that a student may not withdraw from or drop individual courses in which penalty grades were assigned as a result of academic misconduct. Additionally, a semester withdrawal will not be processed if the student has a final letter grade assigned or if they are enrolled in a part of a term that has concluded.

The withdrawal process is initiated online through the student's myBama account. Students contemplating withdrawal are strongly encouraged to contact their academic advisor before changing their schedule, as changes can result in a delayed graduation. Additionally, dropping below full-time status may impact insurance (health and auto), financial aid, and scholarships.

For graduate students, the process is similar. A graduate student may withdraw from all courses in the semester, either for non-medical or medical reasons, as long as this is done prior to the last day of classes. They must consult their academic advisor and initiate the withdrawal through their myBama account.

In the case of a medical withdrawal, the University of Alabama has specific procedures in place. Medical withdrawals are voluntary and are applicable when a student suffers from a physical, emotional, or psychological condition that significantly impairs their ability to function successfully or safely as a student. The policy is primarily administered by the University's Student Health Center (SHC).

To be eligible for a medical withdrawal, a student must not have taken a final exam or otherwise completed coursework for a final grade. The request must be supported by documentation from the student's licensed medical provider and, in some cases, faculty members. The SHC will make the final decision regarding the approval or denial of the request.

It is important to note that medical withdrawals do not provide financial relief and may have implications for financial aid, loans, and scholarships.

Withdrawal from individual courses

At the University of Alabama, a student may withdraw from or drop an individual course until the end of the tenth week of a fall or spring semester, the second week of the Interim session, the third week of a five-week summer session, or the fourth week of a 10-week session. After this period, students are expected to maintain their course loads.

Students contemplating withdrawing from a course are strongly encouraged to contact their academic advisor before changing their schedule, as changes can result in a delayed graduation. Dropping below full-time status may also impact insurance (health and auto), financial aid, and scholarships. Full-time status is 12 credit hours for undergraduate students, 9 credit hours for graduate students, and 10 credit hours for law students.

It is important to note that students may not withdraw from or drop individual courses in which penalty grades were assigned as a result of academic misconduct. No permanent notation is made of a course that is dropped during the change-of-schedule period. A course dropped after the change-of-schedule period and up to the deadlines mentioned above is indicated on the student’s permanent academic transcript with a grade of "W."

After the deadline to drop a course with a "W" grade, a student must petition the college office for approval to withdraw or drop "for reasons beyond the student's control." The presumption is that the student cannot withdraw without "extenuating circumstances," which must be documented. Specifically, the student cannot drop a course because they are not performing well in it. Depending on the term, the student has up to 10 weeks to make this judgment. This also applies to any retroactive withdrawal or drop.

Withdrawing from an individual course may affect several elements linked to registration and class loads, including (but not limited to) graduate fellowships, assistantships, tuition awards, financial aid, withholding taxes, etc. Before dropping a course, the student should consider contacting all aspects of enrollment that may be affected.

Leaves of absence

The University of Alabama offers leaves of absence to graduate students under certain circumstances. A leave of absence is a temporary cessation of study, and students can request one if they are experiencing a medical emergency, a documented disability, family caregiving responsibilities, military duty, or other unusual and compelling circumstances. The process for requesting a leave of absence varies depending on the specific situation, but it generally involves submitting documentation and obtaining approval from the relevant university departments.

For medical leaves of absence, students should file an application for a medical withdrawal if they are experiencing a medical emergency that requires them to suspend their doctoral research during a semester. If the medical issue is not resolved by the start of the next semester, they may then request a medical leave of absence. Medical leave requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Graduate School.

For documented disability leaves of absence, students should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) to request an evaluation and submit relevant documents related to their disability. ODS will review the request and make a recommendation to approve or deny it. If approved, the student's dissertation chair will be notified, and the leave of absence form must be initiated by the chair and signed by the departmental Graduate Program Director or department chair.

Family caregiving leaves of absence are available for students who become parents or need to care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition. The leave of absence form must be initiated by the student's dissertation chair and signed by the departmental Graduate Program Director or department chair.

Military leaves of absence are granted to students who need to fulfill a U.S. military obligation. The leave of absence form must be initiated by the student's dissertation chair, with military documentation attached, and signed by the departmental Graduate Program Director or department chair. The student should also make an appointment with the Graduate Registrar to discuss their leave of absence and plan for returning to graduate studies.

It is important to note that a leave of absence does not extend the time limit for completing a degree, except in the case of approved military leave. Students on a doctoral leave of absence will not have access to university resources such as libraries, laboratories, or other types of access. They are also not permitted to seek research guidance from UA faculty or continue working on their dissertation project during the leave. Resumption of funding, such as a graduate assistantship, is not guaranteed upon returning from a leave of absence.

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