Withdrawal Policies
Students may experience life circumstances or medical conditions that compromise their health, safety, or academic success and require them to leave their studies. In such circumstances, students can choose to withdraw from the current term of enrollment and return the following term, or choose to fully withdraw from the University. Students who withdraw from the term and do not enroll in the subsequent semester must apply for readmission when they choose to return.
Students who wish to withdraw should complete a Student Intent to Withdraw. Ceasing attendance without officially withdrawing may result in the assignment of failing grades. The withdrawal date will be determined by the last date of engagement in all applicable courses. See the list of definitions below for events considered to be ‘engagement’.
A withdrawal may entitle the student to a full, partial, or no refund of tuition and fees. For further information, please visit the Refunds & Withdrawals page of the Student Financial Services website.
A withdrawal may have significant implications for university services, including but not limited to financial aid, veterans’ benefits (including housing allowance), health insurance, degree completion, and visa status (for international students). Students are responsible for understanding these implications and are encouraged to consult the appropriate academic or student life offices for additional information before withdrawing from the university for any reason.
Withdrawal for Medical Reasons
A student experiencing significant medical issues that interfere with their academic and university life may request a withdrawal from all or part of their academic program.
The University has adopted this policy to ensure that students receive the attention, consideration, and support needed to address medical events that arise or escalate during their studies. This policy provides a flexible, individualized process for students to follow when withdrawing due to a medical situation.
Documentation must be provided supporting that the student’s health, safety, or academic success has been compromised, necessitating the withdrawal. If the student has received treatment from a healthcare provider, the provider should be able to provide the student with such documentation.
If healthcare provider documentation is not available, the student should consult with their Associate Dean’s office, academic advisor, or the class instructor regarding what documentation may be provided.
Withdrawal for Extraordinary Life Circumstances
A student may request a withdrawal for other extenuating circumstances, such as a family emergency or other serious unforeseen events.
If the request is related to sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, the Associate Dean or designee must provide this information to the Deputy Title IX Coordinator.
Withdrawal for Military Obligations
For the full University of Maine System policy, please see Administrative Practice Letter IX-H: Student Military Covered Service.
Withdrawal Definitions
Term Withdrawal – When a student requests to be unenrolled from all courses within a term after participating in an activity defined as academic engagement. The student’s program of study will remain active for enrollment in the subsequent term.
University Withdrawal – Sometimes referred to as a “term cancellation”. When a student requests to be unenrolled from all courses within a term without having participated in an activity defined as academic engagement, or when a student requests to withdraw from the University altogether. This will result in a discontinuation of the student’s program of study, requiring readmission if they wish to return.
Last Date of Attendance/Engagement – The date determined by the student’s last recorded participation in an activity defined as academic engagement. This date is used as the effective date for a term withdrawal and dictates any potential financial or academic impacts as outlined in the Academic Calendar.
Academic Engagement – Active participation in an instructional activity related to a student’s program of study which can include: interacting with an instructor about academic matters, submitting an academic assignment, taking an exam, participating in an interactive tutorial or computer-assisted instruction, participating in a study group or group project assigned by the instructor, attending and participating with the instructor and students in a synchronous class, recitation, field activity, lecture, or laboratory activity either physically or online.
Institutional Determination Date (IDD) – The date the University determines that a student has withdrawn. The IDD initiates the 30-day period within which the University must complete the Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculation and return any unearned federal aid. For official withdrawals, the IDD is the date the student submits a Student Intent to Withdraw, which constitutes the start of the withdrawal process.