For various reasons, undergraduate students may need to stop attending their classes and leave the university for part, or all, of a semester.  If this leave is going to be for more than a week or so, and depending upon the nature of the classes in which the student is enrolled, the student may need to consider processing an Undergraduate Total University Withdrawal for the semester.

Doing so by using the procedures outlined below, rather than just leaving and receive failing grades, allows students to retain their quality point average of the previous semester.

As with any procedure, students should carefully review all aspects and implications of such an action before initiating the withdrawal.

Undergraduate students who want to process a total university withdrawal through the individual course withdrawal period may withdraw from all of their classes via the URSA system.

Undergraduate students should contact the Advising and Testing Center (216 Pratt Hall) if they want to process a total university withdrawal after the individual course withdrawal deadline, but prior to the total university withdrawal deadline.

All Department of Developmental Studies program participants must process a paper request for total university withdrawal (available in the Advising and Testing Center, 216 Pratt Hall) AND receive signed permission from the Department of Developmental Studies.

If you are thinking of processing a total university withdrawal from this semester, please read this checklist.

Below are some frequently asked questions that should be reviewed prior to processing a total university withdrawal.

• What does a withdrawal mean?
• What grade will I receive if I have an Undergraduate Total University Withdrawal?
• What is the deadline for an Undergraduate Total University Withdrawal?
• Will a total university withdrawal impact my Financial Aid?
• Will I receive a refund?
• Will I be able to take classes at IUP in the future?
• Will this withdrawal impact my housing accommodations?
• Who should I ask about the academic implications of my withdraw?
• Should I process a total university withdrawal or an individual course withdrawal?

• What should I do if I already registered for classes for next semester and I am withdrawing this semester?

   

What does a withdrawal mean?
A total university (semester) withdrawal means that the student's status with the university for that semester will be inactive.  For the semester of the withdrawal, the student no longer may receive funds, accept financial aid, use a meal plan, or reside in university housing.

What grade will I receive if I have an undergraduate total university withdrawal?
After withdrawing from the university, the student will receive a 'W' designation for that semester's coursework.  His/her cumulative QPA will return to that of the previous semester.  Freshman students will have a transcript but no real grade point average.  While the 'W' does not negatively affect the student's grades, it does reduce their percent of progress.  Percent of progress is required for some forms of financial aid.

What is the deadline for an Undergraduate Total University Withdrawal?
End of the tenth week of the semester.
 

Will a total university withdrawal impact my Financial Aid?
Students taking a total university withdrawal from all of their courses at IUP may find their financial aid for that particular semester affected.  The 1998 Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act requires educational institutions to calculate a Return of Federal Student Aid Funds (Title IV aid) for students who withdraw from all classes on or before the 60 percent attendance point in the semester.  A pro-rated schedule is used to determine the percentage of the semester attended; that percentage determines the amount of federal funds earned.  Please visit the Office of the Bursar's website, to view the adjustment/refund schedule.

Will I receive a refund?
The percentage of tuition and fees that are forfeited are listed, by withdrawal period, on the Office of the Bursar's website.

Will I be able to take classes at IUP in the future?
A student who withdraws for the university needs to apply for readmission, available by one of the following options:

• By logging on to URSA and selecting the Apply for  Readmission to IUP

  option under the Student Services and Financial Aid section

• By downloading a form from the Registrar’s Office website at

  www.iup.edu/registrar/forms

• By going to the Office of the Registrar, Clark Hall Lobby

• By calling 724-357-2377. During evening or weekend hours, you may call

  this same number and leave your name and address and a form will be

  mailed to you.

The application is available from the Registrar's Office, Clark Hall, and must be

completed and returned to the Registrar by a specified deadline.  Automatic

readmission is fairly standard for students in good standing (as defined by the

college and/or major).  Students who are not in good standing, who have no

grade point average, or who are in size-restricted majors will have their

readmission application reviewed by their associate dean.

Will this withdrawal impact my housing accommodations?
A student who has on-campus housing must contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life on the day of his/her withdrawal to make arrangements to  schedule a time to officially check out of her/her room/apartment and return all keys. Questions about housing or dining fees to be assessed or refunded should be directed to the Office of Housing and Residence Life (Basement of Clark Hall, 724-357-2696).

Who should I ask about the academic implications of my withdraw?
The first point of contact within your department should be your academic advisor.  Your academic advisor can ask the right questions and help you organize your thoughts.  He/she will also be able to explain the consequences a  withdrawal will have on your academic plan including course sequencing and how/if it will affect your time of graduation.

If you do not know how to contact your academic advisor, you can login to URSA and go to the "Student Services and Financial Aid Menu", next go to "Academic Records" and finally "View Your Advisor".  This screen will provide you with the contact information for your academic advisor. 

If you are unable to access your academic advisor, you should seek out the Chairperson for your department.  If you do not know how to contact the Chairperson for your department, you can access this information from your departmental homepage or the IUP Directory.

If you are unable to access the Chairperson for your department, you should seek out the Associate Dean for your College.  This information can be found on each College's homepage or the IUP Directory.

Should I process a total university withdrawal or an individual course withdrawal?
The decision whether to process an individual course or a total withdrawal is best made in consultation with the student's instructor(s) and adviser.  Some of the considerations will include the time in the semester, how well the student is doing in each course, and whether a partial (individual) course withdrawal might free the student to do well in other courses.  Other considerations may include financial issues.  Students are advised to check with the Bursar and Financial Aid before processing any type of withdrawal.

What should I do if I already registered for classes for next semester and I am withdrawing this semester?
If you have already registered for classes in a future semester and you know you will not return to IUP, you should drop your future classes via URSA. This will help prevent the possibility that you are inadvertently academically or financially penalized for being registered if you do not plan on returning to the University. If you do plan on returning to IUP in a future semester, you will need to apply for readmission.