03-14.00 – Withdrawal Policy

  1. Policy:

    Towson University (“TU”) expects matriculated students to make regular and consistent progress toward completion of their degree. However, TU understands that students may need to withdraw from some or all of their classes for medical (e.g., illness, injury, hospitalization, mental health and wellness concerns) or other personal reasons. TU's goal is to support students, assist them in addressing their needs, and enable them to return to classes following withdrawal. This policy defines and addresses criteria and information related to withdrawing from courses, including Late Withdrawals, and authorizes the associated implementing procedures.

  2. Definitions:

    1. “Appropriate Documentation” is a document or other information substantiating the merits of a student's request for a Late Withdrawal (whether Full or Selective) after the Withdrawal Deadline. Appropriate Documentation should identify the specific circumstances affecting the student's ability to (i) withdraw before the Withdrawal Deadline and/or (ii) complete a course(s) successfully. Examples include, but are not necessarily limited to, a letter from a medical provider, mental health clinician, a police report; and/or a court document. All documentation must be sourced from an independent third party and cannot be issued by family.
    2. “Full Withdrawal” is a withdrawal from all courses for which a student is registered in a semester, term, or session. If a Full Withdrawal is approved after the Withdrawal Deadline, the student is withdrawn from all courses and receives a grade of “W” on their transcript for those courses. If a Full Withdrawal after the Withdrawal Deadline is denied, then the student is not withdrawn from the applicable courses.
    3. “Late Withdrawal” is a withdrawal from a course(s) after the Withdrawal Deadline pursuant to this policy.

    4. “Selective Withdrawal” is a withdrawal from a subset of courses for which a student has registered in a semester, term, or session. If a Selective Withdrawal after the Withdrawal Deadline is approved, the student is withdrawn from the applicable course(s) and receives a grade of “W” on their transcript for those courses. If a Selective Withdrawal after the Withdrawal Deadline is denied, then the student is not withdrawn from the applicable courses.

    5. “University Community” includes TU students, faculty, staff, and affiliates.
    6. “Withdrawal Deadline” is the last day students may withdraw themselves unilaterally from a course(s) as set forth in the then-current Academic Calendar. The Withdrawal Deadline usually falls at about the 60% point of a semester, term, or sessions (i.e., the 10th week in the fall and spring semesters; varying dates for the minimester and four-week summer sessions).

  3. Responsible Executive and Office:

    Responsible Executive: Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

    Responsible Offices: Office of the Provost,
    Office of Student Affairs 

  4. Entities Affected by this Policy:

    All Towson University students.

  5. Withdrawing Before the Withdrawal Deadline:

    Each semester, TU publishes an Academic Calendar setting a Withdrawal Deadline. Students may withdraw from a course(s) at any time on or prior to the Withdrawal Deadline using the Student Center in Towson Online Services. When a student has withdrawn on or prior to the Withdrawal Deadline, they will receive a grade of “W” for that course. For more information, students may contact the Office of the Registrar at www.towson.edu/registrar. 

    In accordance with applicable refund policies and procedures (see Section VIII, below), students may request an exception to the refund policy based on medical or other significant personal reasons before the Withdrawal Deadline. 

  6. Late Withdrawals:

    If the Withdrawal Deadline has passed, students with Appropriate Documentation of medical (including mental health) or personal hardship may contact Student Outreach and Support to seek a Late Withdrawal up until the last day of classes for that term. If approved, the student will receive a grade of “W” for the course. If Student Outreach and Support denies a Late Withdrawal for reasons including but not limited to the student  failing to provide Appropriate Documentation, the student will not be withdrawn and will receive a grade consistent with the then-current policies and procedures for the course. The student may appeal a Late Withdrawal denial to the Academic Standards Committee; such appeal may be made before or after the relevant term has ended.

    For more information about the Late Withdrawal Process, contact the Office of the Registrar at www.towson.edu/registrar/registration. 

  7. Emergency Suspensions:

    TU reserves the right to take immediate, necessary, and appropriate action to protect the health and safety of the University Community.

    A student who does not conduct themselves in a manner compatible with a safe and orderly environment is subject to discipline pursuant to the Code of Student Accountability. In rare cases, and after a fact-specific and individualized assessment of the situation at issue, violations of the Code of Student Accountability may result in TU taking emergency action including, but not limited to, emergency suspension. The policies and procedures concerning such emergency actions, including a student's appeal rights, are set forth in the Code of Student Accountability.

  8. Refunds

    Refund requests are processed by the Student and University Billing Office. Students may contact the Student and University Billing Office for applicable refund policies and procedures, including exceptions to the refund policy for medical or mental health reasons supported by Appropriate Documentation.

  9. Procedures:

    This policy authorizes the implementation of Withdrawal Procedures to implement this Policy. These procedures may be amended from time to time vtithout the need to amend this policy.

Related Policies:

USM Policy III-5.00, Policy on Academic Calendar

See also:

Undergraduate student academic calendar

Graduate student academic calendar

Student & University Billing Office (including information about refunds)

Code of Student Accountability

Effective Date:

Amended Date: 08/28/24

Approved By: President’s Cabinet

Signed By: President

How to Request the Policy PDF

This online version of the policy may include updated links and names of departments. To request a PDF of the original, signed version of this policy, email the Office of the General Counsel, .